Do you need grill covers?

If you keep a grill or barbecue outdoors exposed to the weather, then yes, a grill cover is genuinely worth it. It shields the grill from rain, sun, dirt, leaves, bird droppings and the general elements that cause rust, corrosion, fading and wear, so it helps the grill last longer, stay cleaner and keep looking good, protecting what is often a significant investment. If your grill is stored indoors, in a garage or shed, or permanently under a covered patio or roof, or if it is an inexpensive grill you do not mind replacing, a cover matters less. So whether you need one comes down mainly to whether your grill is left out in the weather. Our Best Grill Covers compares five of them.

What a grill cover does

A grill cover is a fitted protective cover, usually of weather-resistant fabric, that goes over a grill or barbecue when it is not in use, shielding it from the elements. Its job is simple protection: it keeps off rain and moisture, blocks the sun, and keeps out dirt, dust, leaves, pollen, bird droppings and debris, so the grill underneath stays dry, clean and protected rather than exposed to whatever the weather and surroundings throw at it.

That protection is the whole point, and it defines when you need one. A grill left outside is exposed to moisture that causes rust and corrosion, sun that fades and degrades finishes and parts, and dirt and debris that make it grimy, and a cover guards against all of these. So the question of needing a cover is really the question of whether your grill is exposed to the weather and worth protecting, since a cover’s value is entirely in that protection. Understanding what it protects against explains who benefits from one and who does not.

Why a cover is worth it for outdoor grills

For a grill kept outdoors, the main reason a cover is worth it is protecting the grill from rust and corrosion. Moisture, from rain, dew, humidity and snow, is the biggest enemy of a grill, causing rust on the body, grates, burners and fittings that shortens its life and spoils it, and a cover keeps that moisture off, which is the single most valuable thing it does. For a metal grill left out in the weather, this rust protection can make a real difference to how long it lasts.

A cover also protects against the sun and keeps the grill clean. UV and heat from the sun fade and degrade paint, finishes, plastic and rubber parts over time, and a cover shields against that, while keeping off dirt, leaves, pollen and bird droppings means the grill stays cleaner and needs less scrubbing before use and is more pleasant to cook on. Together, these benefits, less rust, less sun damage, and a cleaner grill, help an outdoor grill last longer, work better and look good, which for a grill that cost a fair amount makes a cover a worthwhile, inexpensive bit of protection.

When you may not need one

You may not need a grill cover if your grill is not exposed to the weather. If you store the grill indoors, in a garage, shed or utility space when not in use, or it lives permanently under a solid covered patio, veranda or roof that keeps rain and sun off, then it is already protected from the elements, and a cover adds little, though a cover can still keep dust off an indoor-stored grill. The cover’s main benefits apply to weather exposure, so sheltered grills need it less.

It also matters less for some grills and situations. A cheap, basic grill you do not mind replacing, or one you only keep for a season, may not justify a cover, and a grill you use so often it is rarely sitting idle exposed is less in need of one. There are also minor cautions: a cover must let the grill cool fully and be dry before it goes on, and a poorly ventilated cover trapping moisture against a damp grill can itself cause problems, so a good, breathable, well-fitting cover used correctly matters. So if your grill is sheltered, cheap, or rarely left out, you can reasonably skip a cover.

How to decide and choose

To decide, consider where your grill lives and its value. If it is kept outdoors exposed to rain, sun and the elements, especially if it is a decent-quality grill you want to last, a cover is worth it and will protect your investment and keep the grill cleaner and longer-lasting. For most people who keep a barbecue out on a patio or in the garden, that is the case, which is why covers are a common and recommended accessory for outdoor grills.

If you buy one, choose a cover that fits your grill’s size and shape well, so it stays on and covers the grill properly, in a durable, weather-resistant and ideally UV-resistant material, with features like vents to prevent moisture buildup, a secure fit or straps so wind does not blow it off, and water resistance. A well-fitting, breathable, weatherproof cover does the protective job well, while a loose or poor one is less effective. So the honest answer is that you need a grill cover if your grill is left outdoors in the weather and you want it to last and stay clean, and you can skip one if the grill is stored indoors or under permanent cover, or is cheap enough not to be worth protecting.

The short answer

If you keep a grill or barbecue outdoors exposed to the weather, a grill cover is worth it, because it protects the grill from the rain and moisture that cause rust and corrosion, the sun that fades and degrades finishes and parts, and the dirt, leaves and bird droppings that make it grimy, so it helps the grill last longer, stay cleaner and keep looking good, protecting what is often a significant investment. The rust protection from keeping moisture off is the single most valuable thing it does for an outdoor metal grill. You may not need a cover if the grill is stored indoors, in a garage or shed, or permanently under a covered patio or roof, or if it is a cheap grill you do not mind replacing, since the cover’s benefits apply mainly to weather exposure. If you do get one, choose a well-fitting, durable, weather- and UV-resistant cover with vents and a secure fit, and let the grill cool and dry before covering it. So you need a grill cover mainly for an outdoor, exposed, worth-protecting grill.