The cover fits the oven well and the handles make moving it around easier especially if you are planning on taking the oven out and about. I wouldn't think that it would offer much protection but will keep it free of dust etc whilst storing between uses. It will also discourage the children from playing with it if they come across it whilst its being stored. I probably don't need the cover because the oven will be stored indoors and we don't plan on using it outside of our garden but it was a present and a nice touch.