Key Takeaways
- If your grill lives outside, a BBQ cover is usually worth having. It keeps rain, snow, dirt and bird mess off the grill and gives the finish some protection from sun and weather.
- Fit matters. A cover that is far too loose is awkward in the wind, while one that is too tight is a nuisance every time you use it.
- Look for water resistance, some ventilation and a way to secure the cover when it gets windy.
- If your grill has a model-specific cover, that is usually the easiest route.
- Barbecues Galore stocks covers for Napoleon, Weber and Broil King, along with other cover sizes and protective mats.
Table of Contents
- Do You Really Need a BBQ Cover?
- What Does a BBQ Cover Actually Protect Against?
- What Should You Look for in a BBQ Cover?
- How to Measure for a BBQ Cover
- Choosing a Cover for Your Grill
- Looking After the Cover
- Frequently Asked Questions
Do You Really Need a BBQ Cover?
For most grills that stay outside in Canada, yes.
A BBQ cover is not essential in the same way that fuel or cooking grids are, but it is a fairly inexpensive way to keep the barbecue cleaner and give it some shelter from the weather between cooks.
That matters more when the grill is sitting on an open patio through rain, snow, summer sun and the wet mess that comes with spring thaw. Even if the barbecue itself is built for outdoor use, there is no advantage in leaving it covered in pollen in May, baked by UV through July and sitting under snow in January.
There are exceptions. If your barbecue spends most of its time inside a garage or another dry indoor storage area, you may use a cover far less. A grill tucked beneath a properly sheltered outdoor area is also less exposed than one sitting at the edge of a deck.
For everybody else, covering the grill after it has cooled and dried is an easy habit to get into.
What Does a BBQ Cover Actually Protect Against?
Canadian weather gives an outdoor barbecue quite a lot to deal with.
Rain and melting snow leave moisture sitting on shelves, lids and carts. Dust and pollen settle surprisingly quickly. Bird droppings are another mess most of us would rather wipe off a cover than scrub off the barbecue itself.
Sunlight matters too. A grill may be designed to live outside, but prolonged UV exposure can still fade surfaces and age plastics and other exposed materials over time.
Then there is winter. Snow can build up, thaw, freeze again and leave water sitting in all the little places you would rather keep dry. If the barbecue stands near a driveway, winter grime and salty slush can also get thrown around.
A cover will not turn the grill into something stored indoors. It simply puts another layer between the barbecue and everything landing on it.
What Should You Look for in a BBQ Cover?
The temptation is to buy one based on width and price and call it done. There are a few other things worth checking.
| Feature | Why It Matters | What to Look For |
|---|---|---|
| Fit | Keeps the grill covered properly and makes the cover easier to secure | A model-specific cover or dimensions close to your grill |
| Material | Takes the direct hit from rain, snow and sun | Durable outdoor fabric with water and UV resistance |
| Ventilation | Helps moisture escape from beneath the cover | Vents or a design that is not completely sealed |
| Straps or fasteners | Stops the cover travelling across the yard in a windstorm | Buckles, straps, hook-and-loop fasteners or drawcords |
| Seams | Usually one of the first areas to show wear | Neat, reinforced construction |
| Handles | Makes a large cover much easier to remove | Well-placed handles, especially on bigger BBQ covers |
Fit Comes First
A cover does not need to fit like a tailored suit, but it should look as though it belongs on the grill.
Too small and you will be fighting with it every time the barbecue cools down. Too large and it can sag, flap in the wind and collect water in folds.
This is one reason model-specific covers are convenient. The manufacturer has already done the measuring.
Water Resistance and Airflow
A lot of shoppers search for a fully waterproof grill cover, which sounds sensible. The only catch is that moisture can come from underneath as well as above.
A barbecue that was covered while damp, or condensation that forms as temperatures change, needs somewhere to dry.
That is why vents and breathable construction are useful. You still want the outside of the cover to shrug off rain and snow, but you do not want to wrap the barbecue in a completely sealed plastic bag.
The useful combination is weather resistance plus some airflow.
Something to Hold It Down
This matters in Canada more often than people expect. A beautiful cover is not doing much for your barbecue if the first strong gust sends it into the neighbour's garden.
Look for straps, buckles or another way to tighten the cover around the grill. A decent fit helps here too.
How to Measure for a BBQ Cover
If there is a cover made specifically for your grill model, start there. It removes most of the guesswork.
If you are choosing by dimensions, get a tape measure.
Measuring checklist
- Measure the width at the widest point.
- Include fixed side shelves in that measurement.
- If the shelves fold, decide whether you plan to fold them before covering the grill.
- Measure the depth from the front to the back.
- Measure the height with the grill lid closed.
- Compare those figures with the cover dimensions before ordering.
- Leave enough room to put the cover on comfortably, but do not choose something dramatically oversized.
When somebody asks, “What size BBQ cover do I need?”, width is often the number they concentrate on first. Depth and height still matter.
This becomes especially obvious on deeper grills, pellet smokers and models with unusual carts or side shelves.
Our barbecue cover quick-reference guide lists dimensions for a range of grill and cover combinations.
Choosing a Cover for Your Grill
Start with a cover designed for your grill model. A model-specific Napoleon BBQ cover follows the shape of the intended grill, as does a matching Weber BBQ cover or Broil King BBQ cover.
We carry covers from all three brands in our BBQ covers and mats collection. Use your grill type to narrow the choice, then check the model and dimensions.
| Grill type | Cover to look for | Fit details to check |
|---|---|---|
| Freestanding gas grill | A model-specific cover or a suitably sized universal cover | Overall width, side shelves, depth and cart height |
| Built-in grill | A cover designed for the built-in grill head | Exact model, hood dimensions and projecting handles |
| Portable grill | A cover sized for the portable model and its storage setup | Whether the grill is covered on its own or on a stand |
| Charcoal kettle or kamado | A cover shaped for the cooker | Diameter, height and any side shelves or cart |
| Pellet grill | A cover designed for the model and hopper configuration | Hopper, chimney, shelves and overall dimensions |
Universal covers, including options from GrillPro, can be a practical choice when the dimensions suit your barbecue. Check width, depth and height rather than relying on a label such as “large.”
We also carry protective mats for the patio or deck beneath your cooking area.
Looking After the Cover
A cover has a fairly easy life compared with the grill underneath, but it still needs some attention.
First, let the barbecue cool completely before covering it. It should also be reasonably dry. Putting a cover over a wet grill and leaving it there for days defeats part of the reason for owning one.
In winter, brush off a heavy layer of snow rather than allowing it to sit indefinitely. If water starts collecting in a sagging section, adjust the cover rather than leaving a puddle there.
Give the cover a clean now and then according to its care instructions. It will pick up dust, tree sap, pollen and the same bird mess it is saving your grill from.
If you are putting the barbecue away for the season, follow our guide on how to winterize your BBQ for cleaning, fuel storage and other preparations before covering it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a cover for a BBQ?
A BBQ cover is worth having for most grills that stay outdoors because it keeps rain, snow, dirt and debris off the barbecue and gives the exterior added protection from the weather. A grill kept indoors or in a fully sheltered spot may need one less often.
How do I choose the right BBQ cover size?
Measure the grill at its widest point, then measure depth and height with the lid closed. Include fixed side shelves, and compare all three measurements with the cover rather than choosing from width alone.
Should a BBQ cover be waterproof or breathable?
A good BBQ cover needs to resist rain and snow while still allowing some airflow underneath. Water-resistant outdoor fabric with ventilation is generally more useful than a completely sealed cover that can hold condensation around the grill.
Can you leave a BBQ cover on in rain or snow?
Yes. Rain and snow are exactly the sort of weather a BBQ cover is made to deal with. Keep the cover secured in wind and brush off heavy snow rather than allowing a large load to sit on top.
How often should you cover your grill?
If the grill stays outside, put the cover back on once the barbecue has cooled and is dry. There is little benefit in leaving an outdoor grill exposed between cooks when you already own a fitted cover.
Can you BBQ in the rain?
You can often barbecue in light rain as long as the grill is being used outdoors in a safe location and in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Never cook with the BBQ cover on the grill.
Where can I buy a Napoleon, Weber or Broil King BBQ cover in Canada?
Barbecues Galore sells Napoleon, Weber and Broil King BBQ covers online and through eight showrooms in Alberta and Ontario. The range includes covers for several freestanding, built-in and portable grill models.