The Best Grill, Smoker & Griddle Covers
The right cover is the cheapest rust insurance you can buy. How to pick a cover for a grill, pellet smoker, flat-top griddle, or kettle — and why fit matters more than price.
Published June 25, 2026
Nothing destroys an outdoor cooker faster than water sitting in the firebox and on the hardware. A cover that actually fits is the single cheapest thing you can do to add years to any grill, smoker, or griddle. Here’s how to match the cover to the cooker.
#1 pick
Heavy-duty waterproof cover
UV- and water-resistant cover sized to your cooker.
Why: The cheapest rust insurance there is. Keeps water out of the firebox and off the hardware between cooks.
#2 pick
Pellet / vertical smoker cover
Tall waterproof cover cut for pellet and cabinet smokers.
Why: Smokers carry electronics and a hopper that hate water — a cover sized for the taller body keeps both dry.
#3 pick
Flat-top griddle cover + hood
Hard or soft cover sized for Blackstone-style flat-tops.
Why: Bare griddle steel flash-rusts in a single damp night. A snug cover (ideally over a hard lid) is non-negotiable.
#4 pick
Kettle / kamado cover
Rounded cover for kettle grills and kamado cookers.
Why: Kettles and kamados rust at the vents and hardware. A fitted cover is the cheapest way to add years.
A cover isn’t glamorous, but it does more to keep a cooker clean and rust-free than any tool on this site. The only rules: get the right shape for your cooker, and get one that fits snugly without trapping moisture against the metal.
Match the cover to the cooker
- Gas / cart grills: a heavy-duty fitted cover with vents and tie-downs.
- Pellet & vertical smokers: a taller cover that clears the hopper and protects the electronics.
- Flat-top griddles: a snug cover — ideally over a hard lid — because bare steel flash-rusts overnight.
- Kettles & kamados: a rounded cover that seals the vents and hardware.
Fit and breathability beat thickness
The most common mistake is a loose, non-breathable cover that traps condensation against the metal — which rusts a cooker faster than no cover at all. Buy for your specific model, look for vents, and let the cooker cool before you cover it.