Whispers have been circulating about grill covers causing rust—rumors that have many grill owners raising an eyebrow. Could there be any truth to these allegations? After all, you’re trying to do right by your grill, protecting it from the elements and keeping corrosion at bay. The last thing you want is to discover that your well-intentioned efforts have inadvertently led to rust creeping in.
So is the grill cover innocent, or is there a case to answer? Let’s examine the evidence and find out.
Here’s the simple truth: grill covers do not cause rust. However, they can create an environment that allows rust and corrosion to develop. Grill covers are designed to keep moisture off your grill, but if it is already wet, covers can trap moisture, leading to rusting.
This post will explore the realities of rust and whether it is better to leave your grill uncovered or covered. We’ll ask hard hitting questions like “What is the purpose of a grill cover?” and “Do grill covers prevent rust?” Plus, we’ll cover critical corrosion concerns like how moisture build-up occurs and how to prevent rust on your grill.
Now, let’s uncover the truth about grill covers.
The Purpose of a Grill Cover
The purpose of a grill cover is to cover your grill and protect it from things like rain, snow, dirt, UV rays, bird poop, and more. Cheaper covers might be made of lower quality materials that can indeed trap moisture if you tuck your grill in when it is wet from rain, but on the whole, grill covers are designed to protect, not harm, the grill.
Do Grill Covers Prevent Rust?
Grill covers in and of themselves do not cause rust—in fact, they reliably help to prevent it.
Using your grill cover correctly ensures that it does its job and helps prevent rust. However, using your grill cover incorrectly combined with not maintaining your grill or keeping it clean can result in it rusting faster.
There are a few things that can contribute to rust developing under a grill cover:
- Improper usage, such as covering the grill when it or the grill cover is wet, or when the grill is still hot (which can cause condensation).
- Using low-quality, non-breathable grill covers that trap moisture or develop holes that allow moisture to get in.
- Your local climate, especially if you live near the ocean or have a pool.
The material your grill is made of can also play a role in rust formation.
How Moisture Build-Up Occurs Under a Grill Cover
Moisture might be what you want when you are grilling meat (think juicy, delicious steak), but you do not want it under your grill cover once you’ve finished grilling. There are a couple of ways moisture build-up can occur:
- Improper cover fit.
- Not letting the grill or grill cover dry completely before covering the grill.
- Heavy rain and high humidity can cause moisture to sneak in under the grill cover.
- A damaged grill cover can also allow moisture to seep into holes and cracks.
- Poor airflow resulting in condensation build-up.
How to Prevent Rust on Your Grill
Rust on unprotected metal is inevitable, but there are things you can do to slow it down:
- Clean, dry, and polish your grill regularly: Always clean and dry your grill after use to avoid moisture build-up. If you live near the coast or have a pool, you should wipe down the grill with soapy water to remove salt and chemical buildup and then let it dry once a week. You can follow this cleaning process with a polish for optimal protection—oxygen is necessary for the creation and spread of rust, and polish coats the metal to protect it.
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- Cover after cooling: Wait for the grill to cool completely before covering to prevent trapping heat, which can contribute to condensation. Confirm that the cover and the grill are bone dry before covering.
- Store in a sheltered area: If possible, place the grill in a covered or sheltered area to reduce direct exposure to rain and snow.
- Choose the right grill cover: Select a good quality, breathable, and weather-resistant grill cover. It should be the right size cover to completely protect your grill and avoid moisture build-up.
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Do Grill Covers Prevent Rust? The Final Word
Grill covers don’t cause rust when used properly and actually help protect grills from rust. All you need to keep your grill protected and prevent rust is the right cover and good maintenance habits:
- Clean, dry, and polish your grill regularly.
- Cover your grill after cooling and ensure the cover and grill are moisture-free.
- Store your grill in a sheltered area.
- Choose the right grill cover.
- Inspect your grill and grill cover regularly.
Shop our full selection of grill covers.