Simple Houseware BQ-001-5 55 Inch Grill Cover Review

First Impressions of the Simple Houseware BQ-001-5

Unfolded, the BQ-001-5 is black, boxy and plain. Its outline is a tall box with sloped shoulders. White brand lettering is printed across the upper front.

On top sit two fabric loops, one at each shoulder. Near the bottom of each side hangs a strap with hook and loop ends. That is the whole list of hardware.

The maker’s own gallery even shows it draped over two patio chairs. That tells you what it is. It is a well cut sleeve sized for a grill, not a shell shaped around one.

There is nothing wrong with that. A universal has to be generic. It does mean the details that hold a cover in place must come from elsewhere.

Key Features of the Simple Houseware BQ-001-5

Seven things make up this cover. Four more, which dearer universals carry, never made the cut.

• Three layer fabric. A water repellent outer coat sits over 600D polyester, with a waterproof PVC backing inside.
• A stated fit window. The maker’s artwork says this size fits grills 49 to 53 inches wide.
• A sizing rule. Simple Houseware asks you to measure width, depth and height, shelves and handles included. It then wants at least 2 inches of slack.
• Two top handles. You lift the cover off by its shoulders, not by dragging a corner.
• Two 2 inch side straps. These close with hook and loop around a leg or frame rail.
• Six sizes in one listing. 32, 55, 58, 60, 64 and 72 inch versions share the page, all in black.
• Hose clean. The maker says to rinse it and let it dry in the sun.

Missing from the list: vents, a hem drawstring, buckles and a warranty term.

Fit and coverage

The 55 inch size covers a narrow band of grills. The maker names 49 to 53 inches of grill width. Its 2 inch slack rule lands on the same top end.

That honesty helps. The buyer’s real job is choosing between six sizes, not hoping one stretches. Measure your grill with the side shelves up and the lid handle included. If you land right on 53 inches, look at the 58 inch sibling too.

No grill brand or model is named on the listing. The title says it suits 3 to 4 burner gas grills. The brand’s own comparison table groups this size with others for 3 to 5 burners. A burner count tells you little, so trust your tape.

Depth is 23 inches and the drop is 42 inches. Hold your tape against the cart to see where that hem will stop.

What holds it snug is thin. Two straps grip the frame at the sides. The front and back hems simply hang.

Universals feel this harder than fitted covers do. A fitted cover follows the lid and shelves, so wind has little to grab. A boxy universal leaves air pockets at the corners. Sized well, those pockets stay small.

Weather protection and durability

Shedding rain is where this cover is strongest. Its outer coat beads water, and the PVC backing stops what soaks through. Under a roof edge, that is most of what a cover must do.

The weak spot is air, not water. Simple Houseware’s copy and artwork show no vent at all. Damp air under a waterproof backing has one way out: the open hem.

In a dry, breezy yard that is enough. In a humid, still one, moisture can sit on the grill for days.

This is the cover’s best line to remember. It is a good roof with no windows.

Durability is a mixed picture. For a cover near $21.87, a 600D weave is more than you might expect. UV and fade resistance are claimed, but no test is named. The seams are not described at all.

The straps are where wear shows first. Hook and loop collects grit and grass, and its grip fades with use. The warranty field holds a link and no term. Beyond that link, Amazon’s 30 day return is all you get in writing.

None of that is a flaw at this price. It simply means you should expect to replace this cover sooner than a dearer one. Plan for that, and the sums still favor it.

Handling, upkeep and value

Taking it off is one lift, not a wrestle. Grab both top loops and lift straight up. One person can do it without dragging fabric across the lid.

Let the firebox go cold first. The maker says never to leave it on during use.

Cleaning is a hose and a sunny afternoon. Let it dry fully before folding, or the damp simply moves into storage.

Value is the strongest case. Around $21.87 buys 600D fabric with a waterproof PVC backing. Even the brand’s 72 inch size costs $32.87, while the 32 inch is $15.97. Sizing up costs a few dollars, which makes measuring carefully cheap insurance.

Cheap does not reach the management layer. Vents, buckles and a drawstring keep a cover working through a bad winter.

Possible Simple Houseware BQ-001-5 Complaints

• Condensation under the cover. With no vents, damp air leaves slowly. Owners in humid, still climates may find mildew or rust spots. On sunny afternoons, pull it off for an hour.
• Straps that let go. Hook and loop loses grip as grit builds up. In a gust, the loose hems can catch wind. Brush the strap faces clean, or add a bungee under the cart.