How Does Baking on a Boat Work?

Ever wondered what you can bake on a boat? Is there even an oven?

These are valid questions because, believe it or not, some boats actually don’t have ovens at all! But today I want to tell you how baking works on our boat and how we’ve learnt to adapt to a boat galley over the years. Let’s get into it!

Do Boats Have Ovens?

Yes... and no.

As I mentioned before, some boats don’t, and credit to them because that’s kind of the next level of camping on the water! But on our 46ft catamaran, we do.

Lower your expectations a little though—it’s not a full-sized oven like you get on land. It’s miniature, gas (or propane) powered, and usually takes twice as long to cook things. Hey, I’m not complaining, just stating the facts here.

Most cruising boats have ovens like ours, but we’ve also seen some with electric setups that are about the size of a microwave and use power instead of gas. So there are a few different options depending on the boat.

Where Is the Oven on a Boat?

Well... in the kitchen!

On a boat, the kitchen is called the galley, and it’s the space on board where all the food comes out of.

Happy Days has the galley up in the saloon, and we’ve found this makes life so much easier when underway and at anchor because you can cook while still knowing what’s going on.

The oven sits front and centre with three burners on top, and this is where we cook ninety-nine percent of our meals.

What Can You Bake on a Boat?

Alright, I’d love to say "anything!" but that wouldn’t be entirely true because once upon a time the kids and I tried to make a pavlova and... well... it didn’t really turn out. (But that could have been our skills—I don’t know.)

Honestly though, it’s surprising what you can make in a little boat galley with a tiny oven. We cook for six people every single day and have never been disappointed with what our little kitchen can produce.

So, what are our favourite things to bake on board?

Sourdough

We’ll talk more about this in the next section, but it’s by far everyone’s favourite because we eat it every day!

Chocolate Cake

A close second is our absolute favourite chocolate cake, which makes an appearance six times a year for everyone’s birthdays. Thankfully, our trusty oven can handle the big batches the kids whip up!

Roast Potatoes

Actually... I’m thinking this might be the real number one favourite thing that comes out of the oven.

Every other night on passage, the crew dice up some potatoes, throw them in the oven, and forget about them until dinner, when we get to feast on delicious golden potatoes.

We’ve also made potato bake (scalloped potatoes), baked potatoes, and even a full chicken and veggie roast.

Double Chocolate Muffins

Yum! I mean, how could you not make these? Banana muffins are another favourite too.

Focaccia

Finn’s favourite thing to bake onboard has to be focaccia, and it’s always a hit.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Had to include these because Pip made some recently and they were really good.

Those are just a few of the crew’s favourite things to bake on board!

How We Bake Sourdough Bread on a Boat

So, I mentioned earlier how good the sourdough we make is. Well... we actually don’t bake it in the oven.

Nope—we bake it on the BBQ.

It might sound crazy, but it actually works! Bella has perfected the art of mixing it up at night and baking it in the morning, ready for everyone to devour at lunch.

If you want to know her exact process, you can find our boat sourdough recipe here.

Q&A

Can you bake on a boat?

Yes. Many cruising boats have compact gas or electric ovens that can bake bread, cakes, muffins, roasts, and much more.

Do all boats have ovens?

No. Some boats only have a stove, while others have a full galley with an oven. It depends on the boat's size and setup.

What kind of oven is used on a boat?

Most cruising boats use compact propane or gas ovens, although some modern boats have electric ovens powered by batteries or generators.

Can you bake bread on a boat?

Absolutely. Many sailors bake bread regularly. Some even bake sourdough on a BBQ rather than inside the oven.

Is cooking on a boat difficult?

It takes some adjustment because ovens are smaller and often cook more slowly, but it's possible to prepare almost anything with a little practice.

Summary

Baking on a boat isn’t as crazy as some people might think. After living on the water for a while now, we’re very used to doing things this way.

So if you were worried your baking dreams might come to an end when you move onto a boat, don’t fear—you’ll just have to get a little more creative!

I’d love to know if you’ve ever baked on a boat or if you have a great recipe we should try, so leave a comment below!