Charcoal Grill Covers: How to Pick One That Fits
Choose a charcoal grill cover by matching its shape and measurements to your grill, then weigh weather protection, breathability, and fastening options. A close fit is easier to secure, put on, and remove.
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Choose a charcoal grill cover by matching its shape and measurements to your grill, then compare fabric, weather protection, and fastening method. A 22-inch label alone can't tell you whether the cover will clear your grill's handles, shelves, or lid.
Start with the grill's model and overall shape. A kettle and a barrel grill need different cover shapes, and a kettle with a side table needs more room than one without it.
How do you choose the right charcoal grill cover?
Match the cover to your grill's shape and full dimensions. Check its width, depth, and height, then compare those measurements with the grill, including handles, shelves, and wheels.
For a kettle, look for a round cover made for that kettle style and cooking size. For a barrel grill, choose a cover shaped for the barrel and its legs or shelves.
The charcoal grill size guide can help you identify the grill size you have. If you're still choosing a grill, see our backyard charcoal grill guide for the main grill styles.
A close fit should leave enough room to get the cover on and off without a struggle. Too much extra fabric can catch more wind, while a cover that's too tight may not clear the lid or side features.
What should you measure before buying a charcoal grill cover?
Measure the widest points, the front-to-back depth, and the height from the ground to the grill's highest point. Include handles and any attached table that needs to sit under the cover.
Compare those numbers with the cover's stated dimensions, but don't treat length, width, and height as a guarantee of fit. Look for notes that name your grill or model, and check whether side tables are excluded.
The Weber Premium 22-inch Charcoal Grill Cover measures 27 x 25 x 35 inches and fits 22-inch Weber charcoal grills without a side table. It doesn't fit the Smokey Mountain Cooker.
This cover suits owners of a standard 22-inch Weber kettle without a side table who want a matching brand fit. Skip it if your grill has a side table or is a Smokey Mountain Cooker.
Before ordering any cover, measure the grill in the position it will occupy while covered. If a shelf folds down, decide whether you plan to fold it each time or want the cover to clear it while extended.
Should a charcoal grill cover be waterproof or breathable?
Choose weather protection for the place your grill sits. Water resistance helps shed rain, while breathable fabric allows some air movement around the covered grill.
A grill left outdoors may face rain, sun, wind, and dust. Compare weather protection and fastening features together, since a cover can shift if wind gets underneath it.
The Weber Premium cover uses breathable, water-resistant fabric with UV inhibitors to resist fading. The standard Weber kettle cover also has breathable polyester fabric that is UV- and water-resistant.
The iCOVER Cover for Weber 22-inch Kettle uses oxford polyester with a water-resistant PVC coating. Its fit notes exclude Weber Performer Premium and Performer Deluxe grills.
This iCOVER option suits someone who wants a coated cover and has a compatible kettle. Skip it if you have a Performer Premium or Performer Deluxe, or if the dimensions don't clear your grill's features.
Waterproof and water-resistant aren't interchangeable promises. If a cover's fabric or coating is important to your choice, compare the stated feature with the conditions at your grill's location rather than assuming every cover handles weather the same way.
Do straps and closures matter on a charcoal grill cover?
Yes, straps can help keep a cover in place when wind picks up. Choose a fastening method you can reach and secure around the grill.
The Weber Premium cover has a fastening strap, and the standard Weber kettle cover has straps. iCOVER adds a hook-and-loop strap at the bottom alongside its fastening strap.
Straps help hold fabric near the grill, but they can't promise that a cover will stay put in every storm. Secure them after putting the cover on, then check the fit after strong wind or heavy weather.
Handles can make a large cover easier to place and remove. The Cover Geny model has handles, adjustable hook-and-loop straps, and a storage bag, which may suit someone who removes the cover often and wants a place to keep it.
What cover fits a Royal Gourmet CC1830?
Choose a cover shaped and sized for the CC1830 barrel grill. Its 45 x 29 x 45 inch dimensions differ from the covers made for round kettles.
Cover Geny makes a cover for Royal Gourmet CC1830 and CC1830V models. It uses polyester fabric with a UV coating and PVC backing, along with adjustable hook-and-loop straps.
This cover suits owners of those Royal Gourmet models, or a grill with a similar shape and dimensions. Skip it if your grill is a kettle or its shelves and handles need more clearance than the cover allows.
Measure the width and depth at the widest points, including any attached shelves you expect to cover. For other Royal Gourmet models, our Royal Gourmet charcoal grill model guide explains how the grills differ.
If you are comparing larger backyard grills, the full-size charcoal grill guide can help you decide which grill style and size fits your space before you shop for a cover.
How do you set up and care for a charcoal grill cover?
Let the grill cool completely before putting the cover on. This protects the cover from heat that its fabric isn't designed to handle.
Remove loose ash or debris from the grill area before covering it, and make sure the cover can sit without being held up by tools or accessories. Pull it down evenly, then secure the straps or closure so it doesn't hang loose.
Follow the care directions for your specific cover. For the iCOVER, the care advice is to wipe it with a cloth and let it dry in sunlight.
Check the cover periodically for a loose fastening, a poor fit, or a tear. If water or debris is collecting in a fold, adjust the cover's position and let it dry before storing it.
What mistakes should you avoid when choosing a grill cover?
Don't buy by cooking diameter alone. Two 22-inch grills can differ in height, lid shape, handles, or side tables, so check the fit notes and dimensions.
Don't cover the grill while it's hot, even if you are in a hurry to protect it from rain. Wait until it has cooled completely, then put the cover on and secure it.
Don't assume a cover made for one brand or model will fit every grill with a similar cooking area. For example, the Weber Premium cover excludes side-table models, and iCOVER excludes two Performer models.
Don't leave straps loose or skip them because the cover looks snug at first. Fasten the cover each time and check it after rough weather.
Which charcoal grill cover should you pick?
Pick the cover that matches your grill's model and shape first, then choose the fabric and fastening features you prefer. A precise fit does more for day-to-day use than choosing by a broad size label.
For a 22-inch Weber kettle without a side table, compare the Weber Premium cover with the standard Weber kettle cover. Consider the iCOVER if its dimensions and fit notes match your kettle, and choose the Cover Geny cover for a CC1830 or CC1830V barrel grill.
Measure your grill before choosing, especially if it has shelves or handles. If you're building out your kettle setup, see Weber kettle accessories worth buying first for other gear to consider.
Our recommendations match stated fit notes, dimensions, materials, and features to the grill type. For a charcoal grill cover that is easier to live with, choose the right shape, secure it after every use, and cover only after the grill has cooled completely.
Frequently asked questions
How do I measure for a charcoal grill cover?
Measure the grill's widest points, including handles and shelves, then measure its height from the ground to the highest point. Compare those numbers with the cover dimensions and check that the cover is made for the grill's shape.
A round kettle and a barrel grill need different cuts.
Should a charcoal grill cover be waterproof?
A water-resistant cover can help shield a grill from rain while breathable fabric allows some air movement. Some covers use waterproof coatings, but fit and fastening matter too.
Let the grill cool completely before covering it, and follow the cover's care instructions.
Can one 22-inch grill cover fit every kettle?
No. A 22-inch label doesn't guarantee a fit across every kettle design.
Side tables, handles, lid shape, and grill height can change the space a cover needs.
Check the exact fit notes and dimensions, especially for Performer models or other grills with attached tables.
When should I cover a charcoal grill?
Cover the grill only after it has cooled completely. Covering hot metal can expose the fabric to heat it isn't designed to handle.
Once cool, dry the grill if needed and secure the cover's straps or closure so wind is less likely to pull it loose.
