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[adb club cricketer]

Recently I observed my bats which had been kept in bat covers for a long time have gained significant weight (2-8.0 bat went to 2-8.4, e.g.). I took them out, applied light oil and left them without bat covers and I noticed all the bats have reduced weight. Given my preference for lighter bats, was happy to see them lose weight but was surprised that they lost weight just keeping them out of bat cover (in same room/garage) and even despite applying some oil which should have increased weight a bit, if any.

Wondering what is the right way to store bats when not in use - should I use bat cover or leave them without the bat cover, considering everything else stays the same such as same room, etc. Any recommended way here?

[MichaelM]

It has to do with moisture of the bat. Oiled and then kept in the cover a bat is likely gain some weight.

[Buzz]

I agree, I think it is more to do with the temperature and air than anything else.

[Jimbo]

The oil acts as a sealant against moisture gain or loss, so oiled and left in a bag in a cool, dry space it shouldn't change too much.

Less than half an ounce difference, being honest you wouldn't notice it unless you'd measured it and got in your own head.

[jonny77]

The oil acts as a sealant against moisture gain or loss, so oiled and left in a bag in a cool, dry space it shouldn't change too much.

Less than half an ounce difference, being honest you wouldn't notice it unless you'd measured it and got in your own head.

Exactly this. No offence mate, but I wouldn't class 0.4 of an oz as 'significant' weight. It's 11grams or thereabouts.

But bats will fluctuate a little due to conditions etc. Personally, I'd just leave them in a normal room inside the house, away from any direct heat sources or damp areas. They'll be fine either in or out of covers. I would encourage people to refurb them prior to storing over the winter though.

[adb club cricketer]

Thanks everyone for the replies. So looks like oiling them before putting them away off season is better.

[procricket]

I leave them on my radiator if I want some weight out...

[Bungle]

It's very strange, I keep all mine in bat covers and one of them gained an entire ounce in weight. A few have gained no weight and some in between.

[Kai]

I stick mine in the corner of my room away from the radiator. Don't have a cover on them.

[Kulli]

This thread is peak CBF 

[100 not out]

More humidity in air during winter months.

[t2ylo]

More humidity in air during winter months.

This guy knows - you need a dehumidifier in the bat cave

[Chompy9760]

It's very strange, I keep all mine in bat covers and one of them gained an entire ounce in weight. A few have gained no weight and some in between.

While humidity is the key factor, there are others.  Even if a bat is oiled, if it's dry it will still want to absorb moisture from the air.  A bat with a facing sheet will absorb (and lose) less moisture than one with a natural face.  Likewise, big stickers act as a barrier. 

The willow will have a natural moisture content that it will gravitate towards in your particular conditions, and some bats will start at a different moisture %, which is a key driver in how much weight they gain or lose.

I wouldn't have thought storage in a bat cover would make any difference unless the cover got wet, although it would slow a bat from drying out.

I mentioned in another thread that I did an experiment with a bat with a natural face and minimal stickers, storing it without a cover in an old (non working) fridge.
It started at 1145 g, I put a tray of water at the bottom of the fridge and left the door closed.  35 days later it had gained 60g (2.11 oz)
After the tray of water was removed, it dropped those 60g in 39 days.  4 months later after winter it was still only 1155g.

[KW9221]

I keep mine both with and without covers. I keep my Expensive bats in covers and non expensive bats without covers in garage. It is hard to cover them all when you have around 150 bats.

[Chompy9760]

I started using bat covers, but noticed that some of the narrow stickers started peeling off with every time the bat was slid into the cover.  Ironic that the cover that was supposed to protect it, was making the bat look worse for wear!