People generally treat their BBQs and grilling equipment very differently to one another. Some people pull out the BBQ at any given opportunity, rain or shine, whereas others will probably only use their BBQ once in a blue moon. No matter which category you fall into, there’s always one question that will float around in your head, “are BBQ covers a necessity?”
If you’ve already spent a fair amount of money on a high-end BBQ, the thought of spending more money to protect it may be a little daunting for you. Here’s a few reasons why you may want to invest in a BBQ cover to increase its lifespan.
Keep Your BBQ Looking Shiny and New
In most places weather is unpredictable, you should keep your BBQ clean with regular maintenance but if you don’t always have the time then a cover will do most of the work for you. Not only will it keep water and unwanted dirt off your BBQ, but it’ll keep it covered from the sun, meaning when it’s hot you won’t have to worry about the BBQ being too hot before use.
The metal parts of your BBQ will rust if they’re not kept away from excess water, this will cause the rust to get worse over time. If snow piles up on your BBQ it could cause the metal to become brittle overtime, meaning more damage to it in the future. On the flipside, too much sun will fade its parts and make it look old and worn.
Protect It From the Elements
Unless you live in a very open area, chances are you have some sort of foliage around your BBQ. You’ll want to keep any dust, dirt, leaves and pollen away from your BBQ or it’s going to be harder to clean, plus it may trigger allergies when used. Plus, if you’re going to be cutting grass nearby, you’re going to want to keep it away from your BBQ, too. If not kept under wraps, these could end up in your food.
Keep Any Unwanted Guests Out
You’ve probably been to a friend’s house and seen their BBQ covered in cobwebs and various insects. Did you fancy eating your dinner from it? Probably not.
Depending on where you live, wildlife could largely differ. But either way, you probably won’t want the shock of finding out that a family of animals have made a new home in your BBQ. Bird feces on your BBQ will undoubtedly put you off your next meal if you have to get rid of that before you start cooking. This could also cause unnecessary upkeep because you’d have to take apart the BBQ to properly clean it.
Why Would You Not Want to Cover Your BBQ?
A lot of people debate that using a BBQ cover will cause more harm than good, but there’s arguments to both sides.
If you live in a humid place, a BBQ cover could trap moisture which, like listed above, could cause rust and more damage to your BBQ. But not having it covered would definitely cause problems on a much quicker timescale.
To ensure that your BBQ cover doesn’t trap moisture, you should ensure that you invest in a more high-quality cover which lets the BBQ breathe instead. This type of cover may also include some sort of vent which increases airflow instead of stopping it.
So, Should I Cover My BBQ?
In short, yes. A cover is going to increase the life span of your BBQ 100% of the time. By picking the right cover, you’re going to protect your BBQ from all the elements so you can enjoy your BBQ for much longer.
