The sun is out, the summer is here and BBQ season is in full swing. And while we all love the opportunity to cook outside, there is one big downside to having a BBQ. You make your way outside to heat up the grill but, when you get there, you realise you left it uncovered last summer – it’s rusted and unusable.

Of course, the obvious solution is a BBQ cover, but with branded fitted BBQ covers coming with a high price tag, there must be a simpler and cheaper solution, right? Well, there is. Read on to find out how you can get the best budget BBQ cover at a fraction of the price of branded fitted covers.

Can you just use a tarp as a BBQ cover?

Yes, you can use tarp as a BBQ cover. In fact, it’s an excellent choice and often comes in cheaper than branded and fitted options.

Why use a tarp as a BBQ cover?

A tarp offers much of the same protection – and sometimes more – than traditional or specialised BBQ covers. Take our 200gsm Topgrade tarpaulin it is:

• Waterproof
• UV protected
• Rot proof
• Durable
• Customisable
• Lightweight

These attributes make the trusty tarp a resilient and robust BBQ cover, yet it’s light enough to cover and uncover your BBQ each time you want to use it, and customisable so you can change fittings to make it a perfect fit for purpose.

How to use a tarp as a BBQ cover

There are a few simple steps you can take to make sure your tarp BBQ cover is perfect for purpose.

Measure up your BBQ

Before you buy a tarp, it’s important to measure your BBQ correctly to make sure you’re ordering the right size. To do this, you’ll want to:

• Measure the length and width of the BBQ’s top surface. Add 10–20 cm (or more) to each for overhang and easier fitting.
• Measure the height from the top of the BBQ to the ground. Double this number and add it to both the length and width to account for coverage on both sides.

You should now have the correct tarp measurements for your BBQ cover. For more detail on how to measure your tarp size, see our blog: What size tarp do I need?

Choose your type of tarp

While there are plenty of options when it comes to finding a BBQ cover, we suggest choosing from a few of our tarpaulins:

• Topgrade tarpaulin (200gsm): one of our most durable tarps, designed to provide long-lasting protection from the elements when storing your BBQ outside
• Budget tarpaulin (110gsm): while a little lighter, this option is perfectly suited to protecting your BBQ from dust, grime and damage when stored indoors
• Monotex tarpaulin (250gsm): a much more robust option this is perfect for protecting your BBQ through severe weather conditions

You can also choose from a range of tarp colours – blue, green, clear, camouflaged and more.

Establish how you’ll fasten you tarp BBQ cover

There are a few different options when thinking about how to secure your BBQ cover down, tarp accessories such as:

• MIDI holdons
• Holdon XTRAs
• Bungee straps and cords
• Hippo swivel clips
• And more

But we find the easiest way to attach your tarp BBQ cover is to lay it over the BBQ with the eyelets positioned at the bottom, nearest the ground, and thread shock cord through each of the eyelets all the way around the BBQ – the eyelets on the Topgrade tarpaulin are spaced every metre, so it will stay secure. Tie the shock cord around the bottom and you’re done. Your BBQ is protected from the elements and should last for years, even if you don’t have room in your shed or garage to store it.

Get help finding the right tarp BBQ cover for you

Now you know just how simple, effective and budget friendly it can be to use a tarp as a BBQ cover. If you need help finding the right tarp to cover your BBQ or have any other questions on our tarpaulins – from boat covers to garden accessories – just get in touch today and let us help.

Barbecu