Is it OK for a Grill to Get Rained On?


Are you wondering if it is OK for a grill to get rained on? Cooking outdoors in the warm summertime weather is fun and convenient. But what would you do when the rain pours? One of the main concerns when it comes to rainy weather is that the outdoor grill can get wet and get damaged. What happens when the grill gets rained on? We will discuss this question and more below.

Is it OK for a grill to get rained on? A little rain will not ruin the grill. Many grills make it through the rainy season with just a little rust. Charcoal grills are okay to get rained on, but they can develop rust. However, if your grill is made up of sensitive electronics, make sure that you are in a grill cover. Nowadays, most grills have sensitive components that can get damaged if they get wet.

What to do if a grill gets rained on? Will rain ruin a grill? Can you use an electric grill in the rain? These are some of the questions that we will answer in this article. We have also shared tips on how to grill in the rain. Read the rest of the article for more information.

Will Rain Ruin a Grill?

How rain affects the grill will have to depend on its quality, durability, and the material that it is made from. High-quality grills have better materials and designs that can withstand the elements, but they are more expensive. On the other hand, low-quality grills are cheaper, but they are also made of cheaper materials that can easily get damaged when exposed to different weather conditions.

What Can You Do if the Grill Gets Rained On?

If a grill gets rained on, there are simple steps that you can do so that it functions properly. These steps include disconnecting, dismantling, and drying the grill. If your gets rained on and are not properly working, you can follow these steps below.

Step 1: Disconnect the Grill

If your grill is not working after being exposed to the rain, you first need to disconnect it before doing any repairs. This will make sure that the grill is not connected to the main gas supply and you can prevent any gas leakage. If you have an electric grill, disconnect it from the mainline for safety purposes.

Step 2: Dismantle the Grill

Once you have disconnected the grill, you need to start dismantling its parts for cleaning and drying. How you dismantle the grill will have to depend on its type and model. Make sure that you check the user manual and follow the instructions on how to properly dismantle the grill to avoid damaging it.

Step 3: Dry the Grill

After you have dismantled the grill, locate the burner. It is usually placed under the grilling grates and usually has a cover. Again, make sure to check the user manual to determine the parts of the grill. Use a paper towel or a rag to dry the wet area of the grill. Make sure that the area is completely dry before you begin assembling the grill.

Can You Use an Electric Grill in the Rain?

Do not use an electric grill in the rain. Bear in mind that an electric grill is made up of plugs, and cords that can get damaged and ignite when it gets in contact with water. The last thing that you want to happen is for someone to get electrocuted from using the grill. To be on the safe side, it is best that does not to use an electric grill during the rainy season. This electric grill is a popular choice for indoor and outdoor use. It comes with an easy-to-remove stand so you can conveniently carry it.

Can Grill Covers Effectively Prevent Rust?

Grill covers can effectively prevent grills from getting rusty if you use them correctly. One of the main reasons why your grill gets rust is because of water exposure. When placing a cover into the grill, it should be fitted tightly to make sure that water and moisture will not get it.

Tips on How to Grill in the Rain

You might be enjoying your BBQ party and all of sudden, it starts to rain. What will you do? Surely, you do not want your grilled meat and vegetables to get drenched in the rain. Do not fret because there is no need to cancel the party. Below, we have shared different tips on how to grill in the rain.

BBQ under a Canopy

If you have a canopy, you can use it as a shelter for your BBQ grill. A canopy functions like a gazebo but is smaller. Usually, the material of the canopy drapes over a metal frame that is only large enough to cover a grill.

Use a Patio Umbrella

Using a patio umbrella is an easy and affordable solution. Purchase the biggest patio umbrella that is available on the market and make sure you can tie it down against high wind gusts. Fill buckets with wet sand and use them as anchors for the umbrella. We have also shared this article titled, can I use a gas or charcoal grill on my balcony? Check out the article for tips and information about the things that you need to consider when grilling on your balcony.

Build a Covered Grilling Station

If you are regularly grilling outdoors, you should build a covered grilling station. This can be a bit expensive depending on the size, material, and design that you want. However, it can add value to your property and will also make grilling more enjoyable even on rainy days.

Pre-Cook Your Food

If it is raining and you still want to grill outdoors, you can pre-cook the food to lessen your grilling time. Cook the meat in an oven first, and you can, later on, use the grill to sear the meat.

Consider Temperature Control

Wind and rain can lower the temperature of the grill. This can be a problem especially if you are using charcoal. You will need to constantly add charcoal to maintain the temperature. Take note that charcoal absorbs moisture which makes it harder to light. On the other hand, if you are using gas grills, strong gusts of wind can blow out the burners. If this occurs, you need to turn off the gas and open the lid to allow gas to escape before relighting. To maintain temperature, use a remote grill thermometer. It makes it easier for you to monitor the grill and food temperatures.

Install Wind Protection

Aside from the rain, you also have to deal with the wind. Most of the time, patio umbrellas and canopies cannot fully offer protection against the wind. Sometimes, awnings and covered grilling stations will not so much help especially if the wind blows from the wrong direction. To remedy this problem, set up a basic wind block by using a sheet of plywood to stop the wind. See to it that the plywood is stable and will not fall on the grill or anyone.

✅ Video – How to Light Charcoal in the Rain

Kettle Pitmaster shared the video below on YouTube. It shows how to light charcoal in the rain. If you would like to BBQ and it is raining outside, do not let that stop you. Check out the video below for more information on how to light charcoal in the rain.

Do You Need to Cover Your Grill When it Rains?

You need to cover your grill when it rains because it can lead to rust, mold, mildew, discoloration, and its electrical components can get damaged. Let us find out more about these things below.

Rust

One of the reasons why you need to cover your grill when it rains is because it can cause rust. Without any protection from the rain, rust can form in the grills which can be hazardous. The metal parts of the grill can easily corrode. While some grills are designed to be water-resistant, they are not waterproof and can still get rusty and damaged when soaked in the rain for too long.

Mold

Another reason why you need to cover your grill when it is raining is that it can lead to mold.  Mold and mildew can contaminate your food when you are using the grill to cook. This can put your health at risk.

Is it OK for a grill to get rained on
Image by András Fehér from Pixabay

Discoloration

When the grill is constantly exposed to rain, it can get discolored. This is because rainwater can contain calcium that dries into the paint of the grill and causes it to discolor. To solve this issue, you can use a weatherproof spray or a grill cover.

Damaged Electrical Components

Lastly, you need to cover the grill during the rainy season because its electrical components can get damaged. This is especially true if you have an electric grill. Do not let the electrical parts of the grill get wet because not only can it damage the grill, but it can also cause accidents.

What Can You Do If Your Charcoal Grill Gets Wet?

If your charcoal grill gets wet, you need to remove the old charcoal and allow the grill to completely dry. A wet or moist charcoal grill will not allow new coals to efficiently combust and can create a lot of smoke that can ruin the smell and taste of the food that you are grilling. Let it dry under the sun or use a paper towel to help remove excess water. If you are looking for a charcoal grill for outdoor use, consider this 18-inch charcoal grill. It is portable so you can take it anywhere outdoors.

Is it OK for a Grill to Get Rained On
Photo by Zac Cain on Unsplash

Can You Still Use Wet Charcoal?

Cheap charcoal will crumble when it gets wet so you cannot use it for grilling. On the other hand, charcoal which is made from high-quality materials can be dried out and reused. Take note that it may not ignite as efficiently.

What Happens if a Gas Grill Gets Rained On?

If your gas grill gets rained on, it might not probably light up after the first few tries. One of the reasons why this happens is that the igniter got wet from the rain. Bear in mind that gas grills are simple appliances that are made up of minimal mechanical parts. This makes it easier to isolate and fix the problem. Make sure that you check the user manual for special instructions when dismantling and repairing the grill. You can also check out this article that discusses if you can leave your gas or charcoal grills outside. We have shared tips and information on how to protect BBQ grills from harsh weather exposure.

Is it Safe to Use a Wet Electric Grill?

It is not safe to use a wet electric grill. Take note that when it comes to using a wet electric grill, the issue is not the grill, but the control box that houses all the internal electronics. The good thing is that well-built and expensive electric grill models are equipped with a lot of protective resins and gaskets that are designed and built-in to keep out the water. Hence, a little rain should not be a problem. On the other hand, you need to be aware of the risk factors. A gasket may fail or the protective resins may not be applied correctly. Exposing your electric grill to the rain can ruin the device.

Should I Cover My Outside Grill?

It is recommended that you cover your outdoor grill. Investing in a grill cover will help make your grill stay functional and durable for a long time. Make sure that you cover the grill after every use. Wait for it to cool down first before covering. One of the common issues about covering the grill is that it can encourage rusting. However, you can avoid rusting when you properly cover your grill.

When choosing a grill cover, stay away from felt-lined or flannel-lined materials. This is because squirrels and mice will use the fabric for nesting. They will tear away at the cover and it will soon be in tatters. See to it that you choose grill covers with unlined polyester, vinyl, or weather-proof nylon covers. We have also shared this article titled, is rust on grill grates bad? We have shared an in-depth discussion about the dangers of rust on BBQ grills.

Conclusion

You have reached the end of this article that discusses if it is OK for a grill to get rained on. We have found out that light rain will not cause any damage to your grill, but constantly exposing your grill to rain will eventually ruin it. Moreover, avoid using an electric grill outside when it is raining because not only will your risk damaging the appliance, but you will also expose yourself and your guests to danger. We hope that this article has helped you learn more about the dangers and risks that you will be taking when you grill outdoors on a rainy day. Thank you for reading!

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