The Dirty Secret of Grill Covers
You bought a grill. You bought a cover. Case closed, right?
Wrong.
Most people treat grill covers like insurance. They slap one on and assume the job’s done. But covers can backfire fast if you’re not using them properly. Moisture builds up. Mold grows. Rust spreads. What was meant to protect ends up causing damage.
Let’s talk about how that happens and what to do instead.
Covers Trap Moisture More Than They Block It
Grill covers are made to shield from rain, dust, and sun. That part works. The problem starts when moisture gets in and can’t get out. Florida humidity. Morning dew. Grease left behind from last night’s burgers. All of it adds up.
Your grill sits wrapped in a wet sauna. Steel, moisture, and trapped heat are a bad combo. Rust starts to form. Mold grows on grates, burners, and inside the lid.
Rust is a chemical reaction between iron, oxygen, and water. It’s called oxidation, and it happens quickly when metal is exposed to moisture without airflow.
Mold thrives on organic residue and high humidity, especially in enclosed spaces like under a sealed grill cover.
This isn’t rare. It’s the rule when grills are covered wet or warm.
What Actually Happens Inside
Heat expands metal and drives juices and fats to the surface. Once you finish grilling and slap a cover on too early, residual heat and grease create condensation.
When hot air gets trapped and cools against a sealed surface, water vapor turns into droplets. That’s condensation. If the moisture can’t escape, it lingers inside.
That water sticks to the grill, drips into seams, and collects around bolts, hinges, and burners. Over time, rust eats away the finish. Mold finds a home in leftover grease and food particles.
Common Mistakes
Covering too soon, while the grill is still warm
Covering when the grill is already wet
Using low-quality covers with no vents
Never lifting the cover to let air circulate
Storing grills in shaded, enclosed areas where moisture lingers
If any of this sounds familiar, don’t be surprised if your grill smells musty, looks spotted, or starts to lose its finish.
How to Actually Use a Cover
Let the grill cool completely. This avoids steam and condensation buildup.
Wipe down grease or food bits after use. That’s what mold eats.
If it rained or the air is humid, wait. Dry the grill before covering.
Use a cover with vents. It should breathe, not trap.
Lift the cover every few days in humid months. Give it air.
Covers are tools, not magic. Used correctly, they’ll extend your grill’s life. Used wrong, they quietly destroy it.
What If You Don’t Use a Cover?
That’s not necessarily a bad idea. In some climates, especially dry ones, regular cleaning and a roof overhead are enough. Grills are made for the outdoors. But they’re not made for constant moisture.
Exposure to open air can be safer than trapping moisture inside. Many grill owners in dry regions skip covers altogether, especially when storing under a patio or awning.
No cover is better than a moldy, sealed one.
Summary
Grill covers aren’t one-size-fits-all. They work when used right and wreck things when used wrong.
Cool. Clean. Dry. Then cover.
Otherwise, leave it off.