Covering your BBQ
Well this comes down to what your BBQ is made from and protected by and its location. If you own any Weber BBQ you do not have to cover them as this will not void the warranty or damage the BBQ, of course if you have the BBQ under any trees or area's where there is high number of bird's or wildlife that can get into or on the BBQ then it is worth covering. Also if the BBQ is not used for the winter period then you may want to cover up just to give that extra protection. My Weber 57 which I've owned for the last 2 years is in use most the year, I don't own a cover and there is nothing wrong with it.
I do know that most other brands will state in the warranty terms that if the BBQ is not covered then you void all warranty on the BBQ, even a brand like Napoleon that offers a Limited life time warranty on their Prestige range say's "This limited warranty further does not cover any scratches, dents, painted finishes, corrosion or so basically if you don't cover the BBQ and it does rust or defect then you won't get replacement BBQ/parts.
Always read the warranty that comes with the BBQ and if its not clear ring the company and demand a full explanation of what is covered and what isn't. Outback warranty's will require a cover on the BBQ and most of their BBQ's only come with a 1 or 2 year warranty.
So when you are going to pick a new BBQ always read that small print and if it say's you need a cover then invest.
I will say having sold what feels like thousands of BBQ's and accessories if you have shopped somewhere with decent customer care then they would have talked to you about the warranty and about buying a cover for your BBQ. If the store is selling a BBQ to you but they don't sell the cover to go with it I would simple walk out and if the salesman can't explain or at least get the warranty information for you, walk out. BBQ's on a whole are like buying a TV or a cooker and you will probably be hoping it will last you for a few years or longer, so make sure you get the help you need like you would when buying that flat screen (LCD or plasma?) as once you are cooking on it there's no changing it unless you got few hundred quid laying around. (this is aimed at the people who will probably spend 100 or more on a BBQ and you normally spend what is within your means so if someone buys a BBQ for say £200 then chances are that is all they have to spend and probably hope not to spend that again on one for 4 or 5 years).
I do know that most other brands will state in the warranty terms that if the BBQ is not covered then you void all warranty on the BBQ, even a brand like Napoleon that offers a Limited life time warranty on their Prestige range say's "This limited warranty further does not cover any scratches, dents, painted finishes, corrosion or so basically if you don't cover the BBQ and it does rust or defect then you won't get replacement BBQ/parts.
Always read the warranty that comes with the BBQ and if its not clear ring the company and demand a full explanation of what is covered and what isn't. Outback warranty's will require a cover on the BBQ and most of their BBQ's only come with a 1 or 2 year warranty.
So when you are going to pick a new BBQ always read that small print and if it say's you need a cover then invest.
I will say having sold what feels like thousands of BBQ's and accessories if you have shopped somewhere with decent customer care then they would have talked to you about the warranty and about buying a cover for your BBQ. If the store is selling a BBQ to you but they don't sell the cover to go with it I would simple walk out and if the salesman can't explain or at least get the warranty information for you, walk out. BBQ's on a whole are like buying a TV or a cooker and you will probably be hoping it will last you for a few years or longer, so make sure you get the help you need like you would when buying that flat screen (LCD or plasma?) as once you are cooking on it there's no changing it unless you got few hundred quid laying around. (this is aimed at the people who will probably spend 100 or more on a BBQ and you normally spend what is within your means so if someone buys a BBQ for say £200 then chances are that is all they have to spend and probably hope not to spend that again on one for 4 or 5 years).