Should You Cover Your Grill – What’s Expert Opinion On It?
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As someone who loves grilling and is part of the BBQ community, I often notice people debating over a common question: “Should I cover my grill?”
There are some important considerations that you must look after before deciding whether it is an essential step to perform or you can afford to overlook it.
So, allow me to initiate this article in which I will take you through those conditions when covering the grill is recommended, when it is not, its advantages, and possible drawbacks.
Should You Cover Your Grill?
A quick and short answer to this question is yes, you should cover your grill no matter if you own a charcoal, pellet, or gas grill. But I must say that it is not always mandatory.
The reason is that you must look after a few important factors before deciding whether covering the grill or leaving it uncovered would be more suitable.
For example, sometimes covering the grill becomes compulsory, and it also benefits the grill in different ways. However, there are conditions when leaving it uncovered might be more suitable.
Therefore, I will first take you through those conditions when you must cover your grill, and later, I will disclose the advantages it brings.
When To Keep Your Grill Covered?
Keep reading to understand in what situations covering the grill is necessary.
Inclement Weather
When the weather is rainy, snowy, or stormy and you have placed your grill outside without any protection, it can allow the water or snow to penetrate its components, accumulating moisture inside the grill.
This negligence can lead to an environment creation that can cause rust, corrosion, and potential damage. Ultimately, you will compromise the grill’s appearance, longevity, and performance.
So, what do you think? How can you prevent all of these issues? Of course, by using a grill cover as it acts like a shield or umbrella to prevent water, snow, and other elements from reaching the grill and damaging it.
Prolonged Grill Inactivity
If you have an idea that you won’t be using your grill for a long time, like people usually do during the cold winter or when they are on vacation, in this scenario, covering your grill is an essential step to perform.
It will be helpful in preventing your cooking appliance from any kind of dust and dirt, which could compromise its overall look or even impact its working performance when you decide to use it again after an extended grilling break.
When It Is Too Hot Outside
Suppose you are living in a region that remains hot most of the time and where the sun shines really bright; using a grill cover is highly recommended. But why?
The cover would protect your grill from the sun’s strong rays, which can cause dagame to its color and the materials it is made of.
If you have placed your grill under a patio or umbrella, using a cover might not be as necessary because these things already provide good shade and protection from direct sunlight.
Coastal Areas
Coastal areas are the places that are near the ocean or sea. Usually, salty air blows in such places, and they also have unpredictable weather.
So, if you live near the coast, you must cover your grill as it can expose to that salty air or rain anytime that can cause the grill’s metal to rust more quickly.
When Covering The Grill Isn’t Necessary?
After going through the information provided above, you can now easily understand in what conditions it is perfectly fine to leave your grill outside without the need for a cover.
For example, if you live in a dry region where rain is rare and the weather remains relatively mild, you can say that covering the grill isn’t that necessary.
Moreover, if you use your grill frequently, maintain it well, and do not take long grilling breaks, you can leave the grill uncovered outside.
Lastly, if you store your grilling device in a covered or sheltered area, such as a protected patio, there is less need to use a grill cover as a well-shaded area can protect it from winds, rain, or snow.
What Are The Advantages Of Covering A Grill When Required?
There are several advantages that you get when you cover your grill when it requires the most. So, allow me to disclose these benefits to you.
- Extended Durability: As covering the grill protects it from rain, snow, and harsh sunlight, it ultimately contributes to a longer lifespan for your grill by reducing the chance of any potential damage.
- Appearance: The covering practice ensures that your grilling device remains visually appealing for a long time.
- Consistent Cooking Performance: You can ensure the same cooking performance from your grill when you don’t neglect its covering procedure when required.
- Rust And Corrosion: Lastly, covering the grill is like providing a barrier against moisture, which is a primary cause of rust and corrosion.
Are there any disadvantages to covering the grill?
There are not many disadvantages to covering the grill, but the one that I am concerned about is highlighted below.
Moisture Trapping: If the cover doesn’t let air go through, it can trap wetness inside, which may lead to mold (a kind of dirt) or rust and corrosion. So, at a time, covering the grill can prevent and lead you toward rust, but that’s not always the case.
Top Tip by FaveGrills
I recommend not neglecting the cleaning process of your grill cover, especially if it accumulates dirt, which it will. A clean cover not only looks better but also functions more effectively.
Conclusion
To sum up, covering the grill or leaving it uncovered mainly depends on the weather conditions in your area and how often you use it.
If it rains frequently where you live or you don’t use the grill for an extended period, it is better to cover it, and it has several advantages.
However, leaving it uncovered might be more suitable in situations where the weather is consistently dry, and the grill is regularly in use.
Your opinion is valuable to us
So as you have understood that a grill cover is necessary to protect your grill, but have you ever used any, and what was your experience? We would love to hear about that in the comments section.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if you don’t cover the grill?
Not covering your grill when needed can lead to rust, corrosion, and weaker parts. Also, you’ll need to spend extra time cleaning it, especially its outer part.
Can you put a grill cover on while it is hot?
It is generally not recommended to cover your grill while it is still hot. The reason is that it can potentially cause damage to the cover itself, as well as to the grill’s surfaces.
