Best Grill Cover

A grill cover does one job: keep water and UV off your grill when you are not using it. The category is not complicated, but the wrong cover causes more problems than no cover at all.

A cover that fits too loosely traps moisture against the grill surface. A cover made of cheap material cracks in cold temperatures and sheds plastic fragments onto the grill. A cover without ventilation creates a steam chamber during temperature swings, accelerating internal rust.

Quick Picks

The right cover fits the grill dimensions, breathes slightly, and stays put in wind.

Quick Picks

Measuring Your Grill

Measure three dimensions before buying a cover: width at the widest point (usually the side shelves folded out), depth from front to back, and height from the ground to the top of the lid. Add 2-4 inches to each measurement. A cover that fits snugly at the grill's exact dimensions will tear at corners and stress points within a season.

Gas grills with folding side shelves create a measurement problem. Some grills measure 46 inches wide with shelves folded down and 62 inches wide with shelves folded out. Buy a cover for the folded-out width if you leave the shelves open. Buy for the folded-down width if you always close the shelves before covering.

Weber 7176: The Official Kettle Cover

The Weber 7176 is the official cover for the 22-inch Original Kettle, Master-Touch, and Performer Deluxe. The fit is exact because it is designed for those specific grills. The dome shape sheds rain rather than pooling it. The elastic hem keeps the cover from blowing off in wind.

At around $18, it is not expensive, and the shape advantage over generic round covers is real. Generic covers sized for "22-inch kettle grills" often have a flat top profile that pools water directly over the vents. Weber's dome-shaped cover matches the kettle's dome profile. Water runs off rather than sitting.

One limitation: the Weber 7176 is not heavy-duty. The material is thinner than the Classic Accessories covers. For a grill stored in a protected area (covered patio, garage), it is fine. For a grill exposed to full sun and rain year-round, a heavier third-party cover lasts longer.

SUPJOYES: Best Third-Party Kettle Cover

SUPJOYES uses 600D Oxford polyester, which is roughly twice the thread density of the Weber cover. The material resists UV degradation better and holds up to temperature swings in winter without cracking. The velcro closures on the lower hem keep it secured in wind.

The fit is not as precise as the Weber cover because it is designed to fit multiple 22-inch kettle brands. The top profile is flatter than the Ooni-shaped Weber cover, which means slightly more water pooling at the top. In practice, the water runs off when the cover moves in the wind, and a flat-top cover in a sheltered location causes no issues.

If you leave your kettle grill outdoors year-round in an exposed location, the SUPJOYES outlasts the Weber cover on material durability. If you store the grill in a covered patio, the Weber fits better.

iCOVER: Heavy-Duty with Reinforced Handles

iCOVER uses similar 600D construction with reinforced handles at the center of the cover. The handles make it easy to lift on and off without grabbing at the edges. If you cover and uncover your grill multiple times per week, degraded edge material is a common failure point. Handles distribute the stress.

The iCOVER fits both Weber and Char-Broil 22-inch kettles and runs slightly more expensive than the SUPJOYES. The difference is the handle reinforcement and slightly heavier zipper construction on the hem closure.

Classic Accessories Ravenna: Best for Gas Grills

Classic Accessories has dominated the gas grill cover category for years because their sizing is accurate and the covers actually fit the grills they claim to fit. The Ravenna line comes in multiple lengths, and the measurements on the product listing reflect the interior cover dimensions after accounting for the elastic hem.

The 58-inch Ravenna fits most 2-burner gas grills including Weber Spirit E-310, Char-Broil Performance 2-burner, and Royal Gourmet 2-burner models with shelves folded. The 64-inch fits 3-burner models including the Weber Genesis and Char-Broil Performance 3-burner with shelves extended.

The Ravenna fabric is woven polyester with a laminated backing. The backing is what does the waterproofing, not the fabric itself. When the backing begins to delaminate after 3-5 years, the cover loses its waterproofing. The service life in a fully exposed outdoor environment is 3-4 seasons before replacement. In a covered patio, 5-7 seasons.

What Destroys Covers Prematurely

UV exposure is the primary enemy. Direct sunlight degrades the polyester fibers and the laminated backing faster than rain does. If your grill is in direct sun for 6+ hours per day, a cover that lasts 5 years in shade lasts 2-3 years.

Heat is the secondary enemy. Covering a grill before it has fully cooled traps heat inside. The retained heat degrades the cover material from the inside and creates moisture as the metal cools and condensation forms. Wait until the grill is cool to touch.

Mold and mildew are tertiary. A cover that is frequently wet and never fully dries develops mold on the inner surface. This does not damage the grill but degrades the cover material over time. In humid climates, shake the cover out and let it dry in the sun occasionally.

When Not to Use a Cover

Short periods between cooks do not require covering. A grill sitting uncovered for 2-3 days between uses does not accumulate meaningful rust if the weather is dry. Rain overnight is enough reason to cover it, but you do not need to put the cover on every time you finish a cook.

Leaving the cover off in very humid climates for extended periods matters more than in dry climates. In Arizona, a grill can sit uncovered for weeks without issue. In Louisiana in August, a few days of full humidity exposure affects uncoated steel surfaces.

Related Guides

- Best Charcoal Grill, the kettle grill these covers protect - Best Gas Grill, mid-range gas grills that need proper covers - Best Pellet Grill, pellet grills require covers because the electronics must stay dry

Material Guide: What 600D Actually Means

Grill cover materials are rated by thread count, and the number matters. The "D" stands for denier, the weight in grams of 9,000 meters of thread. Higher denier = thicker thread = heavier, more durable fabric.

The practical tiers: - 150-300D: Thin polyester, common on cheap covers. Adequate for light use in mild climates, will crack in cold and fade in UV within a season. - 420D: Mid-weight polyester. The minimum for year-round outdoor use. Holds up to two or three seasons with average weather exposure. - 600D: Standard for quality covers. Classic Accessories Ravenna and SUPJOYES both use 600D. Handles UV, temperature cycles, and rain without degrading for multiple seasons. - 900D+: Heavy-duty for extreme climates. Usually canvas-backed. Heavier, less convenient, costs more. Appropriate for coastal environments or grills left in full sun year-round without shelter.

The backing material matters as much as the face fabric. A 600D polyester with no backing or a thin coating is less water-resistant than 420D with a laminated PVC inner lining. Check that the cover is described as "waterproof" rather than just "weather resistant", the distinction is whether water beads off the surface or is absorbed.

Kettle Grill Covers: Fit Beats Material

For the Weber 22-inch kettle, the Weber 7176 fits better than any third-party cover. The dome profile is designed around the kettle's shape. Water runs to the edges rather than pooling over the vent holes at the top of the lid.

Third-party covers designed for "22-inch kettle grills" are typically sized to fit multiple brands, which means they do not fit any single grill as precisely as the manufacturer's cover. The SUPJOYES and iCOVER options in this guide both fit the Weber kettle, but the flat-top profile common on third-party covers catches rain on top of the lid rather than shedding it to the sides.

The trade-off: third-party covers use heavier material. The Weber 7176 is lighter and thinner than the SUPJOYES or iCOVER. For a grill on a protected patio, the Weber cover is fine. For a grill sitting in the open through a Northern winter, heavier material with velcro closures is the better choice.

Gas Grill Covers: Measure Twice

Gas grill covers are sized by width and come in standard increments: 52, 58, 64, 72 inches. Most 2-burner grills fall in the 45-52 inch width range. Most 3-burner grills fall in the 55-62 inch range. The side shelves are the variable.

Classic Accessories Ravenna covers come in 58 and 64 inch widths, which cover the majority of 2-burner and 3-burner grills. The 58-inch fits grills measuring 50-54 inches wide with shelves folded down. The 64-inch fits grills measuring 56-60 inches wide.

Measure with shelves in the position you store the grill. Most people fold shelves down for storage, in which case measure the grill in that configuration. A cover sized for shelves extended will sag and flap if the shelves are folded.

Ventilation: Why Covers Trap Moisture

A well-fitted waterproof cover keeps rain out. It does not keep humidity out. In climates with temperature swings, humidity inside the covered grill condenses on internal metal surfaces as temperatures drop. A grill covered with an airtight cover in humid weather accumulates more moisture internally than a grill with a slightly vented cover.

The solution is design, not user intervention. Look for covers with ventilation features: vented side panels, mesh panels at the lower hem, or a loose hem that allows slight air circulation. Classic Accessories Ravenna covers include air vents specifically for this reason.

The other component of moisture management is leaving the grill uncovered for 30-45 minutes after cooking. Cooking generates steam inside the firebox. If you cover immediately after the last cook, that steam condenses on the inside of the grill. Letting the grill air out after cooking prevents most moisture accumulation regardless of cover quality.

Seasonal Storage

For grills in climates with genuine winter, below-freezing temperatures for weeks at a time, a cover is more important than in mild climates. Cold-weather damage is specific: moisture that has penetrated the grill's components freezes and expands, accelerating rust on burners, firebox connections, and the underneath of the cooking grates.

In extreme cold, plastic and rubber components on cheap covers crack. The Classic Accessories Ravenna uses a material that remains flexible at temperatures below freezing, which is why it performs better in Northern climates than covers made from thin polyester with cheap coatings.

For grills in storage through winter, remove the propane tank (tanks should always be stored outdoors or in ventilated spaces, not in garages), and clean the grates before covering for the season. A light coat of cooking oil on the cooking grates before storage slows rust formation.

Cover Care

Grill covers attract mold and mildew in humid climates, particularly when they are stored folded rather than on the grill. If the cover smells musty or shows dark spots, clean it with a dilute bleach solution (1/4 cup bleach per gallon of water), scrub with a soft brush, and rinse thoroughly. Allow it to air dry completely before replacing on the grill.

Do not machine wash most grill covers, the coatings that provide waterproofing are damaged by the agitation and heat of a washing machine cycle.

When a Cover Is Not Enough

A cover solves the rain and UV problem. It does not solve the humidity problem in coastal or tropical climates. If you live within a mile of saltwater, the salt air penetrates around even a well-fitted cover and accelerates rust dramatically. In these environments, a cover is necessary but not sufficient. You also need to clean the cooking grates after every session, apply a thin layer of cooking oil to bare metal surfaces before covering, and inspect for corrosion monthly rather than annually.

Some coastal grill owners store the grill inside a garage or covered structure and skip the outdoor cover entirely. If you have the space, indoor storage eliminates the cover problem. Gas grills should always be stored with the propane tank disconnected and stored outside or in a ventilated area.

Universal vs Model-Specific Covers

Every grill manufacturer sells covers designed for their specific models. Weber, Broil King, Napoleon, Char-Broil, and others all make model-matched covers. The model-specific cover fits better than any universal cover because it is designed around the exact dimensions and features of one grill.

The compromise with model-specific covers: they are more expensive and become unavailable when the grill is discontinued. A Weber Spirit II E-310 cover purchased from Weber costs more than a Classic Accessories Ravenna of similar quality. Whether the fit advantage justifies the price depends on where you store the grill. A tightly fitted cover on a grill stored in a covered area is overkill. A well-fitting cover on a fully exposed grill is worth the premium.

Classic Accessories and other third-party cover brands design their products around grill size categories rather than specific models. The fit is approximately correct rather than precisely matched, but the material quality often exceeds the manufacturer's option at the same price point.

Storage When Not In Use

Remove the cover from the grill for storage if storing the grill in a garage for an extended period. A cover left on a grill in indoor storage traps odors and moisture from the grill itself. If the grill is going into seasonal storage, clean the firebox, oil the grates, and store the cover separately in a dry location rather than on the grill.

Fold the cover loosely rather than tightly. Tight folds in the same location every time create permanent crease marks that eventually crack the coating. Store the cover with minimal folds in a bag or container large enough to allow it to sit without compression.

Inspect covers annually before the grilling season. Check the seams for wear and the waterproof backing for delamination. A cover with delaminated backing is no longer waterproof regardless of the outer fabric condition.

Grill Cover Comparison

## What to Avoid

Avoid thin polyester covers in the $8-$12 range. They degrade quickly under UV exposure, typically splitting at the seams within one grilling season. They also do not seal well enough to keep moisture out in prolonged rain. The economics are wrong: two cheap covers cost more than one quality cover.

Avoid covers without venting. A tight, non-vented cover traps moisture underneath, creating the humid conditions that accelerate rust on the firebox and grate surfaces. Proper covers have small vented openings at the bottom to allow airflow while still shedding rain.

Avoid universal or "fits most grills" sizing. A cover that does not fit stays on through friction and blows off in the first serious wind. Covers purchased for a specific grill model or measured to within an inch of the actual dimensions are the only ones that stay where you put them.

Avoid covers without a draw cord or Velcro hem on the bottom. Any cover without a way to secure the hem against the base of the grill will lift in high wind. The cover then acts as a sail, moving the grill or coming off entirely and defeating its entire purpose.

Material Breakdown

Grill covers come in three main materials, each with distinct tradeoffs. Polyester is the most common — lightweight, affordable, and reasonably water-resistant when treated with a PU or PVC coating. Most covers in the $25-40 range are polyester. They last 2-3 seasons with regular use before UV degradation makes them brittle.

600D Oxford fabric is the step up. The "600D" refers to denier, a measure of fiber thickness. Higher denier means heavier, more tear-resistant fabric. 600D covers feel noticeably sturdier than standard polyester and typically last 3-5 seasons. They cost $35-55 and represent the best value for most grill owners.

Vinyl covers are fully waterproof without coatings but crack in cold weather and trap moisture underneath. If you live in a warm, rainy climate, vinyl works. In areas with freezing winters, avoid it entirely.

Ventilation and Moisture

The biggest mistake with grill covers is assuming waterproof equals better. A fully sealed cover traps condensation inside, creating a humid environment that accelerates rust on steel components and promotes mold growth on fabric surfaces. Quality covers include mesh vents near the bottom hem that allow airflow while still blocking rain from above.

If your cover lacks vents, leave a 2-inch gap at the bottom by not pulling the drawstring completely tight. This allows air circulation underneath. In humid climates, consider removing the cover on dry days to let the grill air out. Grillers in coastal areas deal with salt air compounding the moisture problem — a monthly wipe-down of the grill exterior with a dry cloth before re-covering helps significantly.

Sizing and Fit

Measure your grill before ordering. Width is measured handle to handle, depth is front to back including the lid, and height is from the ground to the highest point with the lid closed. Add 1-2 inches to each dimension for easy removal. A cover that is too tight is nearly impossible to pull on and off, which means you will stop using it. A cover that is too loose flaps in the wind, allowing rain and debris underneath. Most manufacturers list compatible grill models — check their fit guide before defaulting to generic dimensions.

Color Choice

Choose lighter-colored covers in hot climates. Dark covers absorb heat and can reach 150+ degrees in direct sun, which accelerates fabric degradation and can soften plastic components on the grill underneath.