Should I Cover my Grill? Get Expert’s Advice

Has the idea of covering the grill confused you? And the question, “should I cover my grill;” keeps on calling for a solution?

I can understand it. We live in an era of capitalism and ever-increasing inflation. It’s difficult for most of us to invest in a high-end grill these days. And if you’ve already spent a hefty amount of money on the grill itself, what’s the point of spending 50, 100, or more bucks on a grill cover?

There are other questions too that arise. Do I need a grill cover at all? What if a grill cover does more harm to my grill than good? What if a grill cover just serves to trap humidity and catalyzes the corrosion of the grill?

These questions need legitimate answers and real-world examples. In this article, we’ll try to focus on the question of whether you should cover or not cover your grill, other related questions, and counter-arguments too. Keep with us; we’ve got you covered.

Why should you Cover your Grill when not in Use?

It’s always a good idea to cover the grill regardless of the type of the grill, the place you live in, and climate conditions there.

A grill cover protects your grill from inclement weather and climate conditions. If you live in an area where it rains or snows frequently, a grill cover is the best protection you can have for your grill.

Another benefit of using a grill cover is that it protects the grill from elements of nature. If your grill is in the vicinity of trees or other plants, a grill cover protects it against pollen, dust, dirt, dew drops, and other plant residues, such as allergens. These substances can get into the burners and then find a way into your food. A cover also protects your grill from stray animals and pets.

Have you heard stories of squirrels storing almonds and other nuts in people’s cars? If you haven’t, you must read this latest report published in The Independent. 

According to the story, a man found thousands of walnuts under the hood of his car. A squirrel packed her forage fare inside the radiator fan and a lot of other places. There was no way out other than to take the car apart to remove the nuts.

Such incidents are common and happen to many people with gas, pellet, and charcoal grills, too, like in this video.

Grills are no exception. They can be nested and defecated on by birds and animals and even torn apart by stray animals. Keeping these facts in mind, it doesn’t come as a surprise that using a grill cover extends the grill’s life for years if not decades.

A Word about Anti-Cover Arguments

There’s a heated debate about whether bbq covers do more harm than good to the grill? More anti-cover comments are put forward in this regard, and some of them have logical bases. Here are some counter comments from those who oppose the idea of covering the grill.

• Grill Covers Trap Moisture

There’s an issue with bbq covers trapping and retaining moisture and, in return, causing the grill to rust and corrode more rapidly than without the cover.

• Grill Covers Can Prove Worst for Grills at Coastal Regions.

In winter, and especially in coastal regions where there’s more humidity, covers that aren’t breathable or have improper ventilation can trap moisture.  Consequently, they cause the grill to rust quickly and decrease its longevity. There’s no doubt about that. 

But remember that storing a grill without a cover is more catastrophic. In contrast, the grill with a protective cover is going to last longer. Here is how:

• Heavy Duty Breathable Covers Ensure your Grill’s Longevity.

Investing in a high-quality and breathable cover is the best thing you can do for your grill to let the grill breathe. If the grill cover has some vents to allow moisture to escape and your grill to breathe. The smaller the holes or vents, the better it is for proper ventilation. 

The best place to have vents on is the upper surface of the cover. These holes allow the trapped moisture to escape while at the same time being too small to let the moisture escape.

• Additional Maintenance Helps with the Grills’ Lifespan. 

A poorly maintained grill is going to develop rust regardless of whether you cover it or not. Complete stainless steel grills have a longer life than cast-iron ones or those with mixed parts. Most grills have stainless steel bodies but cast-iron burners. In this case, burners are the first thing on the grill to rust or corrode.

Long story short, a grill’s durability depends on a lot of factors. A high-quality cover plays an active part in the longevity of the grill and impacts it positively. In winter, it’s best to remove the grill cover once a fortnight and let the grill and cover dry.

FAQs about Covering the Grill

• Is it better to cover a grill or not?

It’s always better to cover a grill, as doing so will increase the grill’s lifespan. The benefits of covering grills outnumber and outweigh those of not covering the grill. 

Some people argue that covers retain moisture and cause the grill to rust quickly. But if you use a breathable and properly ventilated cover, there’s no chance of moisture build-up inside. After a careful analysis, we believe that a grill cover is essential to prolong the life of a grill.

• Can I leave my grill outside?

You can leave your grill ousted if it’s completely covered. Using a grill cover is a great way to keep your grill clean and free of things like water spots, dust, dirt, pollen, tree sap, and unwanted presents from birds. If you live in an area where it snows, it also makes it easy to pull off the cover and get right down to grilling instead of having to clean all of the snow off of the grill by hand.

• Can I leave my grill uncovered?

It’s not advisable to leave a grill with no cover, especially during winter. The best way to protect a grill is to keep it controlled, limited, and defined conditions. Covering a grill is the best way to prolong your grill’s life. However, you can uncover the grill once a week or every two weeks to expose it to the sunlight and dry it.

• What happens if you do not cover your grill?

Leaving your grill without cover results in damage from harsh environmental conditions, such as rain, snow, chemicals, and sunlight. In addition, there’s a chance for birds to take residence inside the grill. 

Pets and stray animals can also mess with the grill and even take it apart. Some animals, especially squirrels, can also use the grill to store nuts and other food items. All of these things can either harm the grill or create a mess.

• Is it OK for a grill to get rained on?

It’s not. It’s a terrible mistake to expose a grill to precipitation. Rust happens when an iron-containing material is exposed to moisture. It’s the outcome of an atomic reaction called oxidation. When it rains and a grill is exposed to water and humidity, oxidation of the cast-iron grates occurs. Consequently, your grill can rust and corrode.

Grills should be kept and stored in controlled conditions and protected from rain. If you expose it frequently to rain, it’s not going to last longer.

• Should you have a custom or generic grill cover?

Custom grill covers fit snuggly and should be preferred over generic ones. In addition, custom covers are usually of high quality, made specifically for your grill, and have better waterproofing. Most of the high-end and reputed brands offer BBQ covers. So, you should always go for a custom cover if you can find one for your grill.

Generic grill covers are usually cheaper than ones built specifically for your grill. But they’re not a snug fit for your gas grill, as they’re designed to fit a lot of grills. If you have a budget, you would prefer custom BBQ covers over generic ones.

• Do grill covers prevent rust?

The grill cover helps prevent the grills from rusting. Yet, they don’t play the role solely. Instead, your grills need extra care to keep the rust away, like storing the grill grates and keeping the grill clean and moist-free.

• Should I cover my stainless steel grill?

Yes, it can be best if you cover your stainless steel grill. It’s not a matter that your sturdy stainless steel grills only need care against moisture, but it also need prevention from tree sap, weather elements, nesting, bird droppings, and lawn chemicals too. Hence, adding a cover to your grill ensures safety.

Should I Cover My Grill: Final Thoughts

Indeed, you should cover your grill. Grill covers are one of the best ways to increase the grill’s lifespan and keep it clean. By carefully picking one, you can surely enjoy more grilling on your favorite BBQ grill. In short, you should cover your grill with a breathable, premium-quality grill cover.