Protect your backyard cooker with our guide to the best outdoor grill covers out there today.
The best grill covers provide waterproof and airtight protection to shield your cooker from the harmful effects of rust, wet weather, and cold temperatures.
Here are 5 of the very best so you get years of cooking with your beloved outdoor grill.
- Best Outdoor Grill Cover: Unicook Heavy Duty Waterproof
- Runner-Up: Classic Accessories Veranda
- Best Budget Option: VicTsing Grill Cover
- Homitt 58-Inch Cover
- Kingkong Gas Grill Cover
Unicook Heavy-Duty Waterproof
This grill cover from Unicook is rather inexpensive but offers excellent quality for the price. We wouldn’t expect this grill cover to live as long as pricier alternatives, but it appears to be very decent at its price point.
Sized at 50 x 22 x 40 inches (W x D x H), the Unicook grill cover should fit most grills with 2-3 burners. At the bottom, this cover has Velcro strips to allow for a snug fit over the grill, so it should work fine for you even if your grill’s sizing is slightly off.
Note that this cover isn’t designed to cover the wheels entirely, which is to ensure that you can transport the grill without adjusting the cover or taking it off.
In terms of materials, the cover is resistant to UVs and water. It’s also advertised to resist tears and cold cracking. These are pretty standard features for grill covers.
Water-wise, keep in mind that this grill cover isn’t waterproof – under downpours, it will get soaked with water quickly and become unable to protect your grill. This isn’t a downside of this cover specifically – it’s just how water-resistant fabrics work.
Pros:
- Inexpensive.
- Large handles on two sides.
- Resists UV and rain.
Cons:
- Nothing to complain about.
- [BBQ Grill Cover 50 Inch] - Measures 50"W x 22"D x 40"H, is compatible with most 2-3 burner...
- [Premium Anti-Fade/Water Material] - Unicook thicker grill covers built to last longer. Made of...
- [Sturdy Handles and Straps] - Durable handles for easy putting in, taking off and hanging....
Classic Accessories Veranda
The Classic Accessories Veranda grill cover is designed specifically for Weber grills, though it also works with grills from Char-Broil, Brinkmann, and other top-of-the-line grill brands. Since the Veranda grill cover is available in a variety of sizes (8 in total), you should be able to find the right cover no matter the grill.
What sets the Veranda grill cover apart from the Unicook cover is the splash guard at the bottom. In transport, the splash guard isn’t too convenient since you have to move it away to be able to relocate the grill. But protection-wise, it’s great since it will prevent splashes from below reaching the grill.
The Veranda grill cover has a water-resistant backing as well to keep water out. But needless to say, downpours will probably defeat the water protection of the cover.
What’s remarkable about the Veranda grill cover is that it is colored in tan, in contrast with most grill covers that are black. The tan color won’t make the cover more protective, but it does make Veranda more attractive.
The color fades over time, unfortunately, since it doesn’t appear to have UV protection.
Pros:
- Attractive tan color.
- Available in 8 sizes.
- Padded carrying handles.
- Protects grills from water and splashes.
Cons:
- The cover fades over time.
- THE CLASSIC ACCESSORIES DIFFERENCE: Veranda covers go the extra mile with interior bound seams...
- PREMIUM GRILL COVERS: Fits barbecue grills 58"L x 24"D x 48"H
- WEBER GRILL COVER: Fits Weber Genesis II Gas Grill model E-310, Spirit Gas Grill models E-310,...
VicTsing 58-Inch Waterproof
With its 600D polyester fabric, the VicTsing grill cover offers solid protection from dust, water, and UV. Over years of use, this thing shouldn’t fade as quickly as the Veranda cover we’ve just reviewed.
In terms of overall design and protection level, this grill cover is similar to the Unicook cover. The two grill covers aren’t designed to cover your grill to the ground. Instead, the VicTsing allows for more convenient transportation. But splash protection isn’t there, so be conscious where you place your grill.
The VicTsing grill cover is available in 5 sizes and should again work well for Weber, Char-Broil, and other similar grills. For a tighter fit, each cover has Velcro straps on the bottom.
All in all, the quality of the VicTsing grill cover is quite solid, and the build appears to be better than in the Unicook grill cover. However, the VicTsing cover appears not to be very rip-resistant, so try to keep it away from abuse.
Pros:
- 5 size options.
- Dust-, water-, and sun-resistant.
- Padded handles.
Cons:
- Rips fairly easily.
Homitt 600D
The Homitt grill cover is very similar and perhaps even identical to the VicTsing grill cover. With that said, this cover seems to be designed to cover the entire grill – although how much coverage you will get depends on how tall your grill is.
When it comes to the build quality and the protection level, the Homitt grill cover doesn’t seem to differ much from the VicTsing cover. Both are made of 600D fabric that is resistant to dust, water, and UVs. The cover does fade over time, but probably not as fast as it would have without UV protection.
The Homitt grill cover is available in 4 sizes that correspond to the 4 larger sizes of the VicTsing grill cover. This grill cover doesn’t come in the small 30-inch size, but if you want it, the VicTsing grill’s small size should work since it’s nearly identical.
Like the VicTsing cover, this grill cover does rip fairly easily, so make sure to take care of this cover and keep it away from branches or other objects that may come into contact with it outside.
Pros:
- 4 size options.
- Resistant to dust, water, and UV.
- Padded handles.
Cons:
- Not too durable.
Kingkong 7553
If you are an owner of a Weber grill, then this cover from Kingkong may be the best choice for you. This cover is available in several styles specifically designed for Weber grills, such as Genesis E/S grills, Spirit II 200, Summit 400, and more.
The Kingkong grill cover may fit similarly-shaped and sized grills from other brands as well, but it will work best with Weber grills.
When it comes to protection and durability, the Kingkong cover is nice – it is resistant to water and UVs. Kingkong also advertises that the cover is waterproof, though it’s actually not since water does seep through it under downpours.
Interestingly, Kingkong includes a few accessories with the cover as well – a grill brush, thermometer, and tongs. If you don’t have any of these accessories, then this cover is pretty nice, but don’t expect much from them. Those who are serious about grilling should look for better grilling accessories separately.
Pros:
- Made specifically for Weber grill models (though may work with others too).
- Water- and UV-resistant.
- Includes a grill brush, tongs, and a thermometer.
- 36-month warranty.
Cons:
- Only designed for Weber grills.
- Pricey.
- 【Dimension & Available Sizes】 Product Dimensions: 60” W x 24” D x 44” H, fits most...
- 【Heavy-Duty & Upgrade Material】 Kingkong grill cover is made of high quality newly...
- 【Easy to Clean & Easy Removal】 Easy to clean the grill cover, hose it down with water and...
Why do you need a grill cover?
I have spent a small fortune on my grill. That is motivation enough to want to keep it in good shape for as long as possible. One way to do this is by protecting it from external elements. Too much rain, direct sunlight, and so on will lead to damage. Enter the BBQ Grill Cover.
A good cover will protect your grill from the weather, helping to keep your patio cooker going for years. Protecting it from rain, snow and humidity will help to ensure that your grill doesn’t develop rust.
As well as the elements, a cover will protect the grill from other types of run-off. Tree sap, bird droppings, and pollen are all unusual things I’ve seen work their way into the grill! A cover will help to shield your cooker from any unwanted surprises.
Features to look out for
Are you looking for a grill cover? You will need to look out for some essential features and make sure that you get the right one and do the job. There are different manufacturers, and they all pride themselves on particular features. This is why it is essential to know what works for you.
Material
The point of a grill cover is to protect the grill. As is the case with any outdoor cookware, a barbecue grill is susceptible to the outdoor elements. A grill cover needs to be made of a material that can help keep any damaging elements out. This is mostly influenced by the type of material that the cover is made of. Manufacturers use a variety, and this also affects how high or how low the price goes.
Make sure the material is durable enough to take the wear and tear that comes with outdoor cooking. Something that is tear-resistant will often go a long way. One of the more common types of material used for grill covers is polyester. It is a lightweight material and also can hold its own against various weather elements. This makes this material versatile and allows you to use it effectively throughout all the months of the year.
In most cases, polyester resists water and sun damage, thanks to chemical treatments. It is also durable and will probably last you a while. You may also use covers made of canvas, which is also durable and weatherproof. It is also on the low end of costing and, as such, is more affordable. Canvas can also protect against fire in addition to weather elements. It is often used as an alternative to polyester.
While these are not the only materials that can be used, they are amongst the most durable. Try not to be guided by price. Usually, lesser quality materials are on the lower end of the pricing scale. Still, they may not fully protect the grill and, as such, may end up costing you more in the way of replacing the grill.
Size
The grill cover that you get needs to be large enough to cover the grill entirely. You may get a cover made of the right material, but it may leave certain parts of it exposed and susceptible to damage if it is too small to cover the grill. Just remember that not all grills are created equal in terms of size or shape, and neither are the covers. As such, it’s better to have your grill’s dimensions on hand when shopping for a cover.
Some grills come with a cover, so it saves you the stress of looking for one. But if it doesn’t, you can refer to the manual, which may have exact dimensions. And if this is not the case, then you may need to measure it yourself. Include any accessories and attachments that it may come with. If the cover cant fit, then the purpose of protection is defeated.
You would instead go for oversize if you cannot get the perfect fit. It’s also essential to make sure that you get a cover that is easy to put on and take off. The harder it is to use, the more likely you are not to use it often. It shouldn’t be rocket science.
Design
You may also want to consider the appearance and design of the cover. The ones that come with the grill usually have the manufacturer’s logo placed strategically. But this may not be the case if you are buying it separately. Design is a personal choice and subjective to what you like. I prefer to go for the darker colors, which won’t show any dirt, considering that the cover is for an outdoor grill.
In addition to how it looks, you may also check on how easy it is to clean. If it’s too tedious, then the chances are high that ¾ of the time, the results will not look perfect, as it will be plagued with dirt. Find something that you can easily wash or wipe down even after a long day. Some covers only need you to spray them down. That’s my type of easy and preferred cleaning.
Waterproof
The grill cover is used on a grill that is usually kept outside or somewhere where it can be rained. The main point of covering your grill is to protect it. As such, you do not want to let any water seep in, and remember that grills don’t come cheap. The last thing that you want is for it to be damaged by natural processes such as rain.
Covers such as canvas are often waterproof and offer more protection. It may seem harmless, but sometimes even a drizzle can affect the barbecue. You also want to check on the seams and make sure that it is entirely sealed and no room for leaks.
Fastenings
A grill cover should also have sufficient fastenings to keep it in place and also cover the grill. Fastening handles on the grill cover and vents helps ensure no unnecessary movement that could expose the grill to potentially damaging elements. Make sure the fastening mechanism is durable and won’t budge once it is in place.
Also, make sure that there is no room for moisture, wind, or any potentially damaging elements to find their way in once it is fastened.
UV Protection
Grill covers should be able to protect your grill from more than just rain and shine. It should also protect the grill. This is an essential feature if you live in a part of the country that gets quite hot. Extended exposure to ultraviolet rays can damage the grill. Think ahead, and anticipate how the weather could potentially damage the grill.
You may also want to make sure that the cover is fade resistant. The sun’s rays may cause some materials to fade and ruin the appearance of the surface.
Can you put a grill cover on a warm grill?
Do not use your grill cover while your grill is still warm or hot. Covers are designed to be waterproof but not flame retardant. If you place your cover on the grill while it’s still warm, you run the risk of it bursting into flames. If your grill is not heat resistant, the synthetic materials on the cover could melt when exposed to heat.
How long do you wait to put grill cover on?
Wait until the outside of the grill lid is cool to the touch. This is usually 20-30 minutes. If you are serving and eating immediately after grilling, leave the grill lid open (weather permitting) to allow the whole area to cool. Once you have finished eating, the cooker should be cool enough to cover safely.
Last update on 2024-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
