How to Measure a Grill for a Cover
Measure the stored shape—not just the advertised cooking area—and avoid covers that bind, sag or block required ventilation.
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Measure the stored grill, not the cooking area.
First look for the cover specified for your exact brand and model. For a generic cover, measure the outside width, depth and height with the lid closed and shelves positioned as they will be stored. Record protruding handles, side burners and chimneys. A grill with 450 square inches of cooking area does not necessarily take a similarly sized cover.
Worked example: stored dimensions are not grill area
Use the distinctions below to choose a next step. Exact fit, operating limits, and control procedures must come from the instructions for your own model.
What changes the answer?
Measure the widest exterior span: cart, shelves and side attachments in the stored position.
Measure the front-to-back projection of the closed grill, including handles and lid overhang.
Measure from the highest enclosed point to the intended bottom of the cover; preserve recommended ground clearance.
Check shelves, smoke stacks, angled lids and unusually wide handles against the cover diagram.
Choose a closure and vent layout compatible with the equipment and its storage environment.
Measure the stored outer shape
Illustrative diagram, not a particular manufacturer model. Measure the real grill and confirm the actual cover fitting diagram.
A practical sequence
- Identify the exact model
Photograph the maker label, usually on the cart, rear or inside access area. Search the manual or official fitted-cover list before treating the unit as a generic rectangle.
- Fold and measure
Fully cool the grill, close the lid and place folding shelves in storage position. Measure width, depth and height in inches; note where a shelf or burner prevents folding.
- Compare cover dimensions properly
Some sellers list overall product dimensions, others give covered-unit dimensions. Confirm which one you are comparing and inspect the fit diagram rather than assuming extra inches are always better.
- Think about how it stays in place
Wind straps, elastic hems, vents and seams affect practical fit. A loose cover may collect water; a tight one strains corners and can restrict the cover’s intended airflow.
Safety, limitations and stop points
Never cover a warm or operating grill. Follow the grill and cover manuals for cooling, ventilation and propane-cylinder storage; do not wrap the entire appliance in airtight plastic.
Based on public safety guidance and manufacturer documentation. Model-specific instructions take priority; this is a research guide, not a hands-on product test.
Compare your measurements with the cover specification
| What you have | Check or choice | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| Measure actual width | Include shelves and attachments | If the grill is 55 in wide with shelves out, that is not a 55 sq in cooking-area measurement. |
| Measure actual depth | Include handles and lid overhang | A generous width alone does not mean the cover will fit front to back. |
| Measure height | Use manufacturer fitting instructions | Do not allow generic covers to trap moisture or block required ventilation. |
| Confirm final fit | Compare to exact cover dimensions | A nominally larger cover can still pull tight at a side burner or chimney. |
Worked decision
Suppose a grill is 55 × 25 × 46 inches when stored. Record all three measurements and compare the manufacturer’s cover fit specification rather than buying a cover labeled merely “for large grills.” This is a measurement example, not a recommendation of a particular cover size.
Exact fitted covers are preferable when documented by the grill maker. Check the storage configuration, wheels, shelves and propane-cylinder instructions.
A four-step measurement record you can reuse
Record the model number, then measure width across the outermost stored components, depth including the front handle and height to the specified hem position. Note whether side shelves fold and whether the appliance has a protruding smokestack. Take a quick photograph with the tape measure in view so you can recheck a fit specification without measuring twice.
Avoid trusting “large,” “medium,” or a square-inch cooking-area label as an exact cover dimension. Waterproofing and air circulation are separate considerations.
Common questions
How much larger should the cover be?
There is no universal allowance. Match the maker’s specified fit range and cover shape, then verify that the hem, handle and shelves sit correctly.
Should I measure with shelves folded?
Measure in the actual storage configuration. If you never fold the shelves, measure with them extended.
Will a universal cover fit a built-in grill?
Sometimes, but built-ins and carts differ in base shape and access. Check the exact product diagram, not just width.
Can I use cooking-area square inches to size a cover?
No. The cooking grate measures only the cooking surface and is not the grill’s outer envelope.