Grill cover hasn't come in yet, and light rain's coming in, so I rigged up a trash bag to cover the top. Just curious as to how rust prone they are though, since they're painted?
by PremeTeamTX
21 Comments
cranberrydudz
The steel legs will rust before the painted top part. Source: I have a neglected Weber that’s over 20 years old from sitting in the sun/exposed elements
McBBo
When I had my kettle grill, I had it for years in New England weather for 8-9 months out of the year. Uncovered in weather. I experienced no rust in over 8 years of that grill. I sons it only because I moved south
BBQorBust
As long as the porcelain enamel is intact on the kettle, it will never rust. The legs might get a bit rusty though. I grease up one of mine that got blown over in a windstorm that took a good chunk of enamel off the lid.
deej-79
Mine has been outside, uncovered about 10 years. The only issue I have is where the enamel got chipped, not a big issue though.
The inner vents have rusted apart but I have a kit to replace them, one of these years I’ll get to it.
SpanosIsBlackAjah
These things are damn near indestructible, I wouldn’t stress about it.
trail34
There are off-brand covers on Amazon for like $7. Both for the 18” and the 22” kettle. They drape down over the legs to keep them from rusting. But as others have said, you’ll probably get a good 10-15 years out of it uncovered, and several decades if covered.
Hoppy_Guy
You’ll have some minor corrosion around the welded points. Legs, handles. Or any significant scratches or dings.
pinetree64
Mine is roughly a decade old, no rust. I do keep if covered most of the time with a Weber cover.
TapSea2469
It will do better without the plastic bag, it’ll hold condensation and get moldy if you don’t use it often.
bassjam1
My belief is that covers do more damage than good as far as corrosion because they inhibit airflow. A cover will prevent the color from getting lighter over time but that’s not important to me. The ceramic coated kettle isn’t going to rust, it’s the internal parts like the bottom vents and grates that end up rusting.
I’ve had one of my kettles outside uncovered for 12 years, if I wasn’t replacing it this year (too small for my family) I’m sure it has another 20 years of life in it.
pmac109
Never. As a matter of fact about 20 years ago I called Weber to order a cover from them and the lady that answered the phone from customer service told me “oh you don’t need a cover. None of the employees have one and if they do they don’t use it.”
castillo_482
The actual kettle stays good, I’ve been having one, keeping it covered, for about 8 years since I switched to Weber and it is like brand new every time I wipe it down. The only thing that you really have to worry about is the grill and the one-touch cleaning system fan at the bottom. The grill I replaced with a split one I can take only half the grill out if more charcoal is needed. The cleaning system I haven’t had to replace but only take apart one to clean out the rust a couple of springs ago.
StrawberryAlarming50
The only rust I have ever had is on the grates and I use them anyway
PremeTeamTX
So, a second question for all the Weber afficionados, at what temp can the ceramic be damaged? I appreciate all the feedback. This sub’s literally completely nontoxic versus r/smoking or r/BBQ. TY 🤙
mindhead1
I have a kettle going on 25 years old. No rust. But I do have a cover for it. To keep it out of direct sunlight and elements when not in use.
Long-Adhesiveness839
I do not worry about it, Weber grills are like an old shotgun, every blemish or mark is a memory. That baby will still cook!
bigfatfurrytexan
Mine gets rained on when I forget to cover it. Works fine, and it’s many years old
Aggravating_Fig_7377
My first one went through at least 12 years of New York winters without a cover and still looked fine. My son took it with him when he moved out. I think there was one rust spot because I dropped it on the concrete during assembly.
InevitableOk5017
I’d be more worried about all the leaves laying on that fence.
Luthiefer
I think that cover would do more damage than good as it traps moisture underneath.
nshoreexplorer
I leave mine out year round in Minnesota and it still looks fine. I’m sure it reduces the overall life but it still looks great and I’m lazy
21 Comments
The steel legs will rust before the painted top part. Source: I have a neglected Weber that’s over 20 years old from sitting in the sun/exposed elements
When I had my kettle grill, I had it for years in New England weather for 8-9 months out of the year. Uncovered in weather. I experienced no rust in over 8 years of that grill. I sons it only because I moved south
As long as the porcelain enamel is intact on the kettle, it will never rust.
The legs might get a bit rusty though.
I grease up one of mine that got blown over in a windstorm that took a good chunk of enamel off the lid.
Mine has been outside, uncovered about 10 years. The only issue I have is where the enamel got chipped, not a big issue though.
The inner vents have rusted apart but I have a kit to replace them, one of these years I’ll get to it.
These things are damn near indestructible, I wouldn’t stress about it.
There are off-brand covers on Amazon for like $7. Both for the 18” and the 22” kettle. They drape down over the legs to keep them from rusting. But as others have said, you’ll probably get a good 10-15 years out of it uncovered, and several decades if covered.
You’ll have some minor corrosion around the welded points.
Legs, handles. Or any significant scratches or dings.
Mine is roughly a decade old, no rust. I do keep if covered most of the time with a Weber cover.
It will do better without the plastic bag, it’ll hold condensation and get moldy if you don’t use it often.
My belief is that covers do more damage than good as far as corrosion because they inhibit airflow. A cover will prevent the color from getting lighter over time but that’s not important to me. The ceramic coated kettle isn’t going to rust, it’s the internal parts like the bottom vents and grates that end up rusting.
I’ve had one of my kettles outside uncovered for 12 years, if I wasn’t replacing it this year (too small for my family) I’m sure it has another 20 years of life in it.
Never. As a matter of fact about 20 years ago I called Weber to order a cover from them and the lady that answered the phone from customer service told me “oh you don’t need a cover. None of the employees have one and if they do they don’t use it.”
The actual kettle stays good, I’ve been having one, keeping it covered, for about 8 years since I switched to Weber and it is like brand new every time I wipe it down. The only thing that you really have to worry about is the grill and the one-touch cleaning system fan at the bottom. The grill I replaced with a split one I can take only half the grill out if more charcoal is needed. The cleaning system I haven’t had to replace but only take apart one to clean out the rust a couple of springs ago.
The only rust I have ever had is on the grates and I use them anyway
So, a second question for all the Weber afficionados, at what temp can the ceramic be damaged? I appreciate all the feedback. This sub’s literally completely nontoxic versus r/smoking or r/BBQ. TY 🤙
I have a kettle going on 25 years old. No rust. But I do have a cover for it. To keep it out of direct sunlight and elements when not in use.
I do not worry about it, Weber grills are like an old shotgun, every blemish or mark is a memory. That baby will still cook!
Mine gets rained on when I forget to cover it. Works fine, and it’s many years old
My first one went through at least 12 years of New York winters without a cover and still looked fine. My son took it with him when he moved out. I think there was one rust spot because I dropped it on the concrete during assembly.
I’d be more worried about all the leaves laying on that fence.
I think that cover would do more damage than good as it traps moisture underneath.
I leave mine out year round in Minnesota and it still looks fine. I’m sure it reduces the overall life but it still looks great and I’m lazy