The smoky aroma, the mouth-watering flavors, the convenience of not having to babysit your food for hours on end…what’s not to love about a pellet grill?
But as with any electrical appliance, there’s always that nagging question: can I leave it plugged in? Will it burn down my house? Will it cause a power outage in my neighborhood?
While it is not dangerous to leave your pellet grill plugged in (it won’t start a fire), the outside weather can quickly degrade your pellet grill cord, shortening the life of your grill. It can also be a tripping hazard, or a small animal could come and gnaw on the cord. We recommend unplugging your pellet grill when it is not in use.
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Should You Leave Your Pellet Grill Plugged in?
As mentioned above, there is no danger when you leave your pellet grill outside and plugged in when it’s not in use. But, leaving your pellet grill plugged in isn’t good for your grill.
Leaving your pellet grill plugged in leaves the cord vulnerable to rain, snow, and other outdoor elements. Plus, if you live in an area with birds and squirrels, they may come to try to chew on or sit on the cord.
And for those who keep their pellet grill a few feet from their house, the cord is a huge tripping hazard.
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Pellet grills aren’t cheap, which is why we strongly suggest storing your pellet grill cord away from the elements. This will keep your pellet grill working for as long as possible and keep damage from happening to your cord.
So although you can leave it plugged in, it’s best to unplug it when you’re not using it.
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Can I Store My Pellet Grill Outside?
While we don’t suggest storing your pellet grill plugged in, it is okay to store it outside. We do recommend, however, that you store your pellet grill under a waterproof cover or some sort of awning to protect it from the weather.
While they’re designed to be water resistant, the cold and water can cause damage over time, namely rust. This is why you should take every precaution possible to keep your pellet grill out of the weather.
It’s better to store your pellet grill indoors if you know you won’t use it for a long time. For example, tucking your pellet grill in the garage at the end of a season can go a long way to keeping your pellet grill in mint condition.
But if you don’t have space in your garage, placing a nice cover over your grill and putting it up against your home can also help keep your pellet grill in good condition.
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Where Should You Store Your Pellet Grill?
Pellet grills are quite hardy. While they do contain electrical equipment, it is perfectly okay to store your pellet grill outside. We recommend grabbing a waterproof cover, however, and placing it under some sort of awning whenever possible.
Just be sure if you are storing your pellet grill near your home that you move it about two feet away from the wall before operating it to ensure the high heat doesn’t cause damage to your home.
If you don’t have a cover or anywhere partially covered outside your home, then it is best to store your pellet grill in the garage and only pull it out when you are ready to use it. If you live somewhere with really cold and wet winters, it is also suggested to tuck your grill in the garage when it isn’t being used.
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When Should You Cover Your Grill?
A grill cover can go a long way toward keeping your pellet grill in pristine shape. But don’t unplug your grill and put it on the minute you are finished cooking, either.
Remember, pellet grills need time to go through their shutdown sequence. Keep the grill plugged in until the fan in the grill shuts off. After that, you can unplug it. Don’t put the cover on just yet, though.
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Once the grill has cooled down and is cool to the touch on all sides, you can put the cover on. If you put the cover on while the grill is still hot, you run the risk of melting or damaging the cover. After the cover is on, feel free to move your grill to another location if needed.
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