Weber Slate 36 vs Blackstone Culinary 36" Griddle with Hood
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Quick take: The Weber Slate 36 costs $50 less; the Blackstone Culinary 36" Griddle with Hood offers more cooking space (768 vs 756 sq in).
| Spec | Weber Slate 36 | Blackstone Culinary 36" Griddle with Hood |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$1,049 | ~$1,099 |
| Rating | 4.7★ (506) | — |
| Type | Griddle | Griddle |
| Cooking Area | 756 sq in | 768 sq in |
| Max Temp | 550°F | — |
| Fuel Type | Propane/Natural Gas | Propane/Natural Gas |
| Build Material | Carbon Steel / Powder-Coated Steel | Rolled Carbon Steel plate, stainless and painted steel cabinet |
| Hopper Capacity | — | — |
| Burners | 4 | 4 |
| WiFi / App | No | No |
| App control | No | No |
| Meat probe | No | No |
| PID controller | No | No |
| Side burner | No | No |
| Rotisserie | No | No |
| Searing | Yes | No |
| Dimensions | 65 x 47 x 28 in | 65 x 29 x 41 in |
| Weight | 150 lbs | 151 lbs |
| Warranty | 5 years (3 years cooktop rust-through) | 1 year |
Pros & cons
Weber Slate 36
- ✓The case-hardened, pre-seasoned carbon steel cooktop genuinely resists the rust that plagues Blackstone owners who leave their griddle outside
- ✓Four independently controlled burners give real multi-zone cooking - pancakes on low while smash burgers sear on high
- ✓The built-in digital cooktop thermometer takes the guesswork out of surface temp, something no Blackstone offers stock
- ✓48,000 BTUs heat the 756 sq in surface past 500°F quickly and evenly, with fewer cold corners than budget griddles
- ✓Weber's fit and finish is a clear step up - solid hinges, smooth-rolling casters, and an enclosed cart that keeps propane and tools out of the weather
- ✓The grease management system funnels into an easy-access catch pan instead of the messy rear-drip setups on cheaper flat tops
- ✓Flip-up side table and tool hooks add workspace without widening the footprint much
- ✓Backed by Weber's warranty and dealer network, so parts and service are far easier to get than for import-brand griddles
- ✗At $999 it costs roughly double a comparable 36-inch Blackstone, which is a hard sell for occasional griddlers
- ✗The digital thermometer reads one spot on the cooktop and can disagree with an IR gun by 30-50°F across zones
- ✗The cooktop is rust-resistant, not rust-proof - neglect the seasoning or leave it uncovered and it will still spot
- ✗No lid-down convection cooking - like all flat tops it's a one-trick pony compared to a grill/griddle combo
- ✗Assembly involves many cart panels and screws, commonly taking 1.5-2 hours
- ✗It's heavy (about 150 lbs) and wide with the side table up, so it needs real patio space
- ✗Propane-only out of the box - natural gas requires buying a different SKU, not a conversion kit
- ✗No WiFi or app connectivity even at this premium price, while Weber's own gas grills get Weber Connect
Blackstone Culinary 36" Griddle with Hood
- ✓Enclosed cabinet hides the propane tank and gives dry storage, which no open-cart Blackstone offers
- ✓Heat-control baffle under the plate targets the edge-to-center temperature drop directly
- ✓Dual side shelves with magnetic tool retention make a 36-inch cook workable by one person
- ✓Cutting-board pass-through to a bag holder is a genuinely good scrap-handling idea, not styling
- ✓60,000 BTU is published, unlike most of the Iron Forged line, so it can actually be compared
- ✗Twice the price of the Iron Forged 36 for the same plate size and zone count
- ✗151 lbs and 65 inches wide — effectively a fixed installation
- ✗Still a one-year warranty at $1,099, where Weber's Slate 36 at similar money carries far longer coverage
- ✗Cabinet doors and the tank drawer are painted steel that will show rust at the edges in a wet climate
- ✗Blackstone's own store lists it backordered as of Sept 2026