Weber Slate 36 vs Weber Summit Kamado E6
Quick take: The Weber Slate 36 costs $400 less; the Weber Slate 36 offers more cooking space (756 vs 452 sq in); the Weber Summit Kamado E6 reaches a higher max temp (700 vs 550°F).
| Spec | Weber Slate 36 | Weber Summit Kamado E6 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $999 | $1,399 |
| Rating | 4.7★ (463) | 4.7★ (524) |
| Type | Griddle | Kamado |
| Cooking Area | 756 sq in | 452 sq in |
| Max Temp | 550°F | 700°F |
| Fuel Type | Propane/Natural Gas | Charcoal |
| Build Material | Carbon Steel / Powder-Coated Steel | Dual-Walled Insulated Steel (Porcelain-Enameled) |
| Hopper Capacity | — | — |
| Burners | 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 | Yes |
| Dimensions | 65 x 47 x 28 in | 45 x 35 x 36 in |
| Weight | 150 lbs | 142 lbs |
| Warranty | 5 years (3 years cooktop rust-through) | 10 years (bowl/lid rust & burn-through) |
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
Weber Summit Kamado E6
- ✓Dual-walled air-insulated steel holds low-and-slow temps like ceramic while burning noticeably less charcoal - a single load can run an overnight brisket
- ✓At 142 lbs it's roughly half the weight of a comparable 24-inch ceramic kamado, and steel can't crack from a drop, a move, or thermal shock
- ✓The 452 sq in grate is meaningfully bigger than a Big Green Egg Large or Kamado Joe Classic, so full packer briskets and multiple rib racks fit without a struggle
- ✓The hinged, two-position diffuser flips up so you can add charcoal or wood chunks mid-cook without unloading the grates - a real pain point on ceramic kamados
- ✓Weber's One-Touch cleaning system sweeps ash into a removable catch cup, making cleanup dramatically easier than scooping ash out of an egg
- ✓The hinged RapidFire lid damper flips fully open to spike airflow, so it climbs from smoking temps to 600-700°F searing heat impressively fast
- ✓The cooking grate accepts Weber's Gourmet BBQ System inserts (pizza stone, griddle, wok), adding versatility without kamado-priced accessories
- ✓AmazingRibs awarded the Summit Kamado line a Platinum Best Value medal, and the bowl and lid carry a 10-year rust and burn-through warranty
- ✗At around $1,399 it costs as much as many ceramic kamados, and stepping up to the S6 with cart and gas ignition pushes well past $1,800
- ✗The three-legged stand is the top owner complaint - the legs and small casters feel flimsy and wobbly under a premium-priced grill
- ✗The E6 has no Snap-Jet gas ignition (that's S6-only), so you're lighting with a chimney or starter cubes like any kettle
- ✗No side tables or work surface on the stand - there's nowhere to set a tray or tools without buying a separate table
- ✗No built-in temperature probes, fan control, or connectivity at a price where pellet grills include all three
- ✗Porcelain enamel is durable but chips if you knock the rim with heavy cast iron, and chips can eventually rust
- ✗The accessory ecosystem is far smaller than Big Green Egg's or Kamado Joe's - no included second cooking level like KJ's Divide & Conquer
- ✗The dome thermometer reads well above grate level, so most owners still end up buying a separate leave-in probe thermometer