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Probably a dumb question but I don't cover my most used kettles to no ill effect and I wonder if a cover is needed for my recently acquired gas grill. The base appears to be cast aluminum and the hood is porcelain and I don't see that the internals get wet so am I good to leave it uncovered?  What say you?


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I do but I also cover my kettles too.  Keeps them clean.   The old wood handles stay protected.


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I dont cover my kettles but id cover the gasser since it has the holes in the sides of the lid water can get in and make a mess

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I cover every grill I own, even those that are stored in my shed.  I admit, it's a bit obsessive.

How can u invest $500 or more in a Gas grill and not spend $50 in a cover to protect it? I have a covers on my 11 grills...

It really depends on which Generation/year of grill you have.  Genny 1-5, 1000 - 5000,  Silver/Gold A/B/C through 2004 all had open carts and were built like tanks.   My 2004 Genny Gold C has sat uncovered for 12 years and there's not a spot of rust even with all the rain and occasional snow we get here in Ky.

That said, the Weber's I have seen that did have problems with rust were all close cart designs, to include ones like the one you picked up.  Most of the parts of the grill will be fine, but the bottom panel of the cart is prone to rusting through.

Quote from: demosthenes9 on March 09, 2018, 10:56:24 PM
It really depends on which Generation/year of grill you have.  Genny 1-5, 1000 - 5000,  Silver/Gold A/B/C through 2004 all had open carts and were built like tanks.   My 2004 Genny Gold C has sat uncovered for 12 years and there's not a spot of rust even with all the rain and occasional snow we get here in Ky.

That said, the Weber's I have seen that did have problems with rust were all close cart designs, to include ones like the one you picked up.  Most of the parts of the grill will be fine, but the bottom panel of the cart is prone to rusting through.

Thank you. That's exactly what I wanted to know. I had a feeling there were some models better than others for leaving uncovered.  I might sell the old spirit and look for an old genny.

It might sound silly but a big part of convenience to me is not having to cover a grill.


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@HoosierKettle , if I recall, @Joetee had a Weber gasser that rusted internally, thus causing a fire , which led him to ditch the gasser and go with charcoal.  Perhaps he can shed light on this converstation?  @Joetee ?

Quote from: Foster Dahlet on March 10, 2018, 11:25:03 AM
@HoosierKettle , if I recall, @Joetee had a Weber gasser that rusted internally, thus causing a fire , which led him to ditch the gasser and go with charcoal.  Perhaps he can shed light on this converstation?  @Joetee ?

Lol. I'm not worried about that. I will inspect and clean the inside once in awhile and replace components as needed.


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Quote from: HoosierKettle on March 10, 2018, 11:35:10 AM

Quote from: Foster Dahlet on March 10, 2018, 11:25:03 AM
@HoosierKettle , if I recall, @Joetee had a Weber gasser that rusted internally, thus causing a fire , which led him to ditch the gasser and go with charcoal.  Perhaps he can shed light on this converstation?  @Joetee ?

Lol. I'm not worried about that. I will inspect and clean the inside once in awhile and replace components as needed.


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Yeah I figured you would let it get to fire hazard mode...but wanted to make sure you anticipate the rust.

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Quote from: Foster Dahlet on March 10, 2018, 11:55:33 AM

Quote from: HoosierKettle on March 10, 2018, 11:35:10 AM

Quote from: Foster Dahlet on March 10, 2018, 11:25:03 AM
@HoosierKettle , if I recall, @Joetee had a Weber gasser that rusted internally, thus causing a fire , which led him to ditch the gasser and go with charcoal.  Perhaps he can shed light on this converstation?  @Joetee ?

Lol. I'm not worried about that. I will inspect and clean the inside once in awhile and replace components as needed.


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Yeah I figured you would let it get to fire hazard mode...but wanted to make sure you anticipate the rust.

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I do think it's much easier to get into trouble with a gas grill. Grease fires happen quick if your not careful. I prefer kettles in every way and will primarily be cooking with charcoal. The gas grill is kind of on a trial period. I'm basically only using it for those times I want to throw a burger or a chicken breast on. For example, I used it the other night to cook some chicken breast tenderloins for grilled chicken salad for the wife and I. It was such a small amount of thin chicken that it wouldn't have been worth firing up the kettle. The gasser worked great for that.


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I won't be cooking any quantity on the gasser so I shouldn't have grease fires. I think the internals can rust even if you use a cover.


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Quote from: HoosierKettle on March 10, 2018, 02:08:09 PM
I won't be cooking any quantity on the gasser so I shouldn't have grease fires. I think the internals can rust even if you use a cover.


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The internals don't really "rust", they corrode over time due to heat and the fact that when you burn propane, it releases water vapor and carbon dioxide.

If you had brand new internals and left that Genny uncovered for 20 years without ever firing it up, the internals would remain rust free.



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Quote from: HoosierKettle on March 10, 2018, 02:04:35 PM

Quote from: Foster Dahlet on March 10, 2018, 11:55:33 AM

Quote from: HoosierKettle on March 10, 2018, 11:35:10 AM

Quote from: Foster Dahlet on March 10, 2018, 11:25:03 AM
@HoosierKettle , if I recall, @Joetee had a Weber gasser that rusted internally, thus causing a fire , which led him to ditch the gasser and go with charcoal.  Perhaps he can shed light on this converstation?  @Joetee ?

Lol. I'm not worried about that. I will inspect and clean the inside once in awhile and replace components as needed.


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Yeah I figured you would let it get to fire hazard mode...but wanted to make sure you anticipate the rust.

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I do think it's much easier to get into trouble with a gas grill. Grease fires happen quick if your not careful. I prefer kettles in every way and will primarily be cooking with charcoal. The gas grill is kind of on a trial period. I'm basically only using it for those times I want to throw a burger or a chicken breast on. For example, I used it the other night to cook some chicken breast tenderloins for grilled chicken salad for the wife and I. It was such a small amount of thin chicken that it wouldn't have been worth firing up the kettle. The gasser worked great for that.


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I am finding that my little GGA is perfect for small fast cooks like that.   

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Old Gennys' rock. My Jr. is a '91 and it's rock solid. I agree, open cart is the way to go.

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Quote from: Scott Zee on March 13, 2018, 09:20:37 AM
Old Gennys' rock. My Jr. is a '91 and it's rock solid. I agree, open cart is the way to go.

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And yes,  I have a cover. I also cover most all my outside kettles too.

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Quote from: Scott Zee on March 13, 2018, 09:20:37 AM
Old Gennys' rock. My Jr. is a '91 and it's rock solid. I agree, open cart is the way to go.

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NICE!!  I need to replace the burners on my Genny Jr.


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My Genesis Gold B is stored in my garage and it has always had a cover on it.  My kettles are covered too....in the garage.   

Keep in mind that a gasser of any generation will have some exposed plastic bits that UV rays will eventually claim. Knobs of course ... and on more recent grills, more plastic sides, tables etc.

Yeah, I checked the grill out after all of the rain tonight and with the enclosed cabinet, it definitely needs a cover if I plan on having for any length of time.  I tried to hate this grill but it does come in handy and it's a great cooker for a quick bite.


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You guys twisted my arm. I bought a cover, new flavorizer bars and crossover burner. I hated to spend money on a gas grill but in the event of my death, I want my wife to be able to grill and she won't use the charcoal.

I'm certain I'm not the first to use that warped psychology on justifying a grill related purchase.


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And from the other side... I've had a Genny Silver for....um....20+ years and maybe my ex covered it in the beginning but I know for absolute certain it hasn't been covered in more than 10 years because I have it and I don't cover it. I currently live in Central IL and before that No IL and this trooper has spent every day of its life outside and fully exposed to all elements. I just got some new grates last year - the original CI grates I still have but they're beginning to thin in a couple spots. About every three to four years I buy new flavorizer bars. I think I may have also replaced an ignition switch. The worst replacement and the only two things that have rusted out are the little holder for the very bottom small grease pan and the rails that hold the upper grease funnel-like pan. That's it. Oh and the connections inside the cross bars at the very bottom that the tray sets on. I fixed it by finding a dowel that was just shy of the same size and using decking screws to screw through the side. Worked like a charm.

I'll add that last year was the first time I really did a deep clean on it. Scraped out a bunch of crap, scrubbed a couple stains off the table. It had been years since it had a scrubbing. It shined up really nice.

Mine are cookers, not lookers. I'd love to be the kind of person who covers them lovingly and keeps them pristine. I'd also love to be ten years younger, 50lbs thinner and independently wealthy. None of the above seem to be happening for me. :)  I fully expect to be able to use this grill as I have been for at least another ten years. I can't speak to the newer gassers but these bad boys were built to last. I use mine at least 3-4 nights a week during the summer and weekly during the winter. It's had a foot of snow packed on it and glazed in ice. And it fires right up every time (unless I've forgotten to get the tank refilled).  My daughters, now 18 and 15, have been grilling on this grill since they were tall enough to see the grates.

I love my coals but sometimes I just need to get dinner on the table. My gasser lets me do that.




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