Buying a barbecue is a worthwhile investment that can provide hours of enjoyment. Once you have found the perfect grill, it is time to look into worthwhile accessories. Along with tongs, spatulas, grill cleaning brushes and the ever-popular "Kiss the Cook" grilling apron, you should make sure to put barbecue covers at the top of your list. Barbecue covers protect your barbecue from the worst that Mother Nature has to offer. Like most barbecue accessories, there are a number of barbecue covers for you to choose from. Deciding factors when choosing a cover include cost, style and durability.
Durability in any product is, of course, a matter of importance. Nobody wants to have to replace anything over and over. Barbecue covers range in levels of durability depending on the quality and the material of the cover. Covers can be made from polyester, nylon, PVC or vinyl.
Styles vary from maker to maker. You can find grill covers to match your exact make and model of grill, or you can choose a universal one. Exact matches are designed to conform to every dimension of your barbecue. For those grills with smoke stacks, there are even covers to complement this feature. Universal covers are designed to be one-size-fits-all solutions. The whole idea behind a barbecue cover is to keep weather elements such as rain, dust, dirt and humidity away from your grill.
The cost of a barbecue cover is driven by the quality and style of the cover. Covers made from higher-grade materials are obviously pricier. PVC and polyester covers tend to be more expensive because they are expected to last longer. Nylon and vinyl are less expensive, but covers made from these materials will not last as long, either.
Additionally, covers are more expensive if they are made to match your exact model of barbecue. Universal covers do a decent job, but they leave room for some weather elements to get through. Therefore, universal models are less expensive. Barbecue covers generally cost anywhere from $20 to $50.
A barbecue cover is a small investment when you consider what you paid for your barbecue. A cover will save you from having to replace your grill or parts of your grill prematurely, so it is well worth the nominal investment.