The outdoor cooking game has changed. Gone are the days when traditional grills ruled every backyard. Today’s home chefs are embracing flat-top griddles, and Weber has finally thrown their hat into the ring with the Slate series.
But here’s the million-dollar question: Can Weber’s premium approach compete with established griddle kings like Blackstone? After diving deep into specs, pricing, and real-world performance, I’m here to give you the unvarnished truth about the Weber Slate 36″.
Why I Bought Two Griddles (And You Probably Shouldn’t)
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I started with the Blackstone like most people. It was cheap, the reviews were good, and I wanted to try griddle cooking without breaking the bank. The thing worked great for a year.
Then Weber announced their Slate series. I’m a sucker for Weber products – I’ve owned three of their kettle grills. The marketing got me thinking I was missing out on something better.
So I bought the Weber Slate 36″ for $999. Now I have two massive griddles taking up my entire deck. My wife thinks I’ve lost my mind, and she’s probably right.
What You Get With the Weber Slate 36” Griddle
The Weber Slate griddle feels different the moment you unbox it. Everything is heavier, thicker, and more solid. The cooking surface has a nice matte finish that looks premium.
The assembly took me about three hours. The instructions are clear, and all the parts fit perfectly. No stripped screws or missing bolts like I’ve experienced with cheaper outdoor equipment.
The Weber Slate 36 griddle gives you 756 square inches of cooking space. That’s enough for 28 burger patties or a massive breakfast spread. Four burners let you create different heat zones across the surface.
The digital thermometer actually works. It shows real temperatures instead of generic “low/medium/high” settings. This helps with foods that need precise heat control.
Weber offers both propane and natural gas versions. I went with propane since my deck doesn’t have a gas line. The natural gas models cost about $50 more but never run out of fuel.
My Weber Slate 36” Review After 6 Months of Use
Let me break down the good and bad after cooking on this thing regularly.
What I Love
The heat spreads evenly across the entire surface. My old Blackstone had hot spots that would char food while other areas stayed cool. The Weber heats uniformly edge to edge.
Cleanup is easier than expected. The cooking surface was wiped down with a paper towel and some oil. The grease tray slides out without making a mess.
The build quality impresses me every time I use it. Nothing rattles, wobbles, or feels cheap. The knobs turn smoothly, and the ignition works every single time.
The rust-resistant coating works. After six months of Chicago weather, including snow and rain, I see zero rust spots. My Blackstone started showing rust after three months.
What Drives Me Crazy
The price still stings. I paid $579 for what amounts to a flat piece of steel with some burners underneath. That’s rent money for a cooking appliance.
Weber’s accessory selection is terrible. They barely make anything for the Slate series. I ended up buying a third-party cover because Weber’s costs twice as much and isn’t even available half the time.
The side shelves fold down easily, which sounds convenient until you realize covers don’t fit with them up. Every time I want to cover the griddle, I have to fold the shelves down first.
Getting replacement parts seems impossible. I haven’t needed any yet, but Weber’s website doesn’t list Slate parts like they do for their regular grills.
Weber Slate 36” vs 30 Inches: Size Comparison
| Feature | Weber Slate 36” | Weber Slate 30” |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking surface difference | 410 sq. in | 395 sq. in |
| Best for | Large groups / regular crowd cooking | Cooking for 2–4 people (recommended) |
| Price | $150–$200 more (varies with sales) | $150–$200 less (varies with sales) |
| Weight (assembled) | 198 lb — very heavy / not easy to move once set up | Lighter than 36” — still heavy but more manageable |
| Practical recommendation | Overkill unless you regularly feed crowds | More sensible choice for most households |
| Personal note | I chose the 36”, thinking bigger is better | In hindsight, the 30” would have been sufficient for a family of four |
Weber Slate 36” vs Blackstone: The Real Comparison
| Category | Weber Slate 36” | Blackstone |
|---|---|---|
| The setup used for comparison | Two-griddle side-by-side testing | Two-griddle side-by-side testing |
| Heat-up time | ~15 minutes to cooking temperature | ~10 minutes to cooking temperature |
| Maximum temperature | ~550°F (tops out) | >600°F on high |
Weber Slate 36″ vs Traeger Flatrock: Premium Showdown
| Category | Weber Slate 36" | Traeger Flatrock |
|---|---|---|
| Controls & Connectivity | Manual controls (no WiFi/smartphone app). | WiFi connectivity and smartphone controls — monitor temps and adjust heat remotely. |
| Cooking Performance | Heats evenly; cooking performance is nearly identical to Traeger. | Heats evenly; cooking performance is nearly identical to Weber. |
| Ease of Cleanup | Cleans up easily. | Cleans up easily. |
| Build Quality & Durability | Edges ahead slightly — feels solid; stronger brand reputation for durability and long-term confidence. | Well-made but not quite as solid as Weber. |
| Verdict / Notes | Best if you prefer simplicity, manual control, and slightly better perceived durability. | Best if you want smart features (app/WiFi) and remote control convenience; features are nice but not essential for cooking. |
Weber Slate 36″ vs Blackstone Omnivore: Versatility Battle
| Feature | Blackstone Omnivore | Weber Slate 36" |
|---|---|---|
| Primary design | Combo griddle + grill — convertible between flat-top and traditional grill | Dedicated griddle — purely flat-top cooking |
| Cooking options | Griddle surface + grill grates (steaks, burgers) — switchable for both styles | Large flat-top only — optimized for griddle cooking |
| Best for | People who want both griddle and traditional grilling versatility | Dedicated griddle fans who want more continuous flat-top space |
| Flat-top space | Ample, but shared with grill function (some space used for grates when in grill mode) | More continuous flat-top area (no grill option) |
| Build quality | Good, but not as premium as Weber | Typically, a more premium build and finish |
| Overall takeaway | More versatile and lower cost, tradeoff: slightly lower build refinement | More specialized and premium for griddle-only enthusiasts |
Weber Slate 36″ vs Weber Genesis: Brand Loyalty Test
| Category | Weber Slate 36" | Weber Genesis |
|---|---|---|
| Overall impression | Experiment: Weber is trying something new (griddle focus); early-adopter/beta feel | Proven, familiar line representing Weber’s core strength |
| Personal ownership experience | Newer product with a shorter long-term track record; user is an early adopter | Owned three for over 15 years; long-term positive experience |
| Durability/longevity expectation | Expected to last, but fewer years of evidence to confirm | Long-lasting (example: one still working perfectly after 8 years) |
| Parts availability | Likely available (Weber brand advantage), but long-term evidence is limited | Parts have been consistently available over many years |
| Customer service | Weber’s customer service reputation applies, but Slate-specific cases are fewer | Excellent customer service and support demonstrated by experience |
| Risk level for loyal Weber customers | Higher: some uncertainty—acts like beta testing a new direction | Lower: safe choice based on proven track record |
| Recommendation for most Weber fans | Wait and see; choose Genesis until Slate proves itself over time | Prefer Genesis until Slate establishes long-term reliability |
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Weber Slate 36″ vs Regular Griddle: Premium Worth
| Topic | Weber Slate 36" | Regular (Basic) Griddle |
|---|---|---|
| Core question | Is the premium worth it? | Is a premium necessary? |
| Cooking performance | Cooks very well — even heating | Cooks food just fine |
| Surface & materials | Higher-quality materials, rust-resistant | Standard materials |
| Heat distribution | More even heating | Adequate but less refined |
| Construction & features | Premium construction and refinements | Basic flat surface, multiple burners |
| Ownership experience | Nicer, more refined long-term use | Functional and satisfactory |
| Who notices the difference | Experienced users/repeat users | First-time or budget buyers |
| Recommendation | Good if the budget allows and you value refinements | Great for budget-conscious buyers |
Weber Slate 36″ Griddle Accessories: The Missing Link
Weber Slate 36″ griddle accessories represent Weber’s biggest failure with this product line.
Weber’s traditional grills have extensive accessory ecosystems. You can buy official Weber tools, covers, thermometers, and specialty items for virtually every grill model.
The Slate series gets almost nothing. Weber offers basic accessories, but the selection is embarrassingly small compared to their grill accessories or Blackstone’s griddle gear.
I bought a third-party cover from Unicook for $35. Weber’s official cover costs $80 and is constantly out of stock. The Unicook cover works perfectly and saved me money.
Serious griddle cooks need specialized tools: scrapers, spatulas, bottles for oil and water. Weber makes some of these, but you’ll find a better selection and prices from dedicated griddle companies.
Weber needs to fix this accessory problem if they wants to compete seriously in the griddle market.
Daily Use Reality Check
After six months of regular cooking, here’s what daily use looks like:
- Startup Time: 15 minutes to reach cooking temperature. Slightly slower than my Blackston, but not enough to matter.
- Cooking Performance: Even heat across the entire surface. No hot spots or cool zones. Food cooks predictably every time.
- Cleanup: 5-10 minutes ,depending on what I cooked. Scrape off food bits, wipe with oil, done. The grease management system works well.
- Weather Resistance: Zero rust after Chicago winter weather. The coating lives up to Weber’s claims.
- Reliability: Ignition works every time. No mechanical issues or burner problems.
The Weber performs exactly as advertised. It’s a well-engineered product that works consistently.
Read more: Weber Spirit E-310 Review
What I’d Do Differently
If I could buy it again, I’d probably start with a quality Blackstone model. The performance difference doesn’t justify Weber’s price premium for most people.
The Weber makes sense if you plan to use it heavily for years and want the best possible materials and construction. For occasional weekend cooking, save your money.
I’d also wait for Weber to expand their accessory line before buying. The limited selection frustrates me regularly.
The 30″ model would have been plenty for my family. The extra cooking space on the 36″ model rarely gets used.
Pros and Cons
| pros | cons |
|---|---|
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Should You Buy the Weber Slate 36″?
The Weber Slate 36″ delivers excellent performance and premium build quality. The even heating, rust resistance, and solid construction justify some price premium over basic alternatives.
However, spending $400-500 more than comparable Blackstone models requires careful consideration. Most home cooks won’t notice enough difference to justify this premium.
Weber loyalists who value brand reputation and expect long product life might find the investment worthwhile. First-time griddle buyers should probably start with less expensive options.
I’m glad I bought both because it gave me perspective. For practical cooking, either griddle works great. The Weber feels nicer to use, but the Blackstone delivers similar results for much less money.
If money isn’t a major concern and you want the best materials and construction, buy the Weber. If you want great griddle cooking without premium pricing, buy a quality Blackstone and pocket the difference.
The Weber Slate 36″ is a premium product entering a value-driven market. It succeeds as a griddle but struggles to justify its premium pricing against established alternatives.
FAQs
1. What are the exact dimensions and cooking area of the Weber Slate 36″?
The Weber Slate 36″ measures 64″W x 23″D x 36.5″H and provides 756 square inches of cooking space. It weighs 198 pounds assembled, making it a permanent outdoor fixture.
2. How much does the Weber Slate 36″ cost, and where can I buy it?
The Weber Slate 36″ costs $579 at retailers like Amazon. Availability has been inconsistent with frequent out-of-stock issues. Natural gas models cost about $50 more than propane versions.
3. How does the Weber Slate 36″ compare to Blackstone griddles?
Weber costs $400-600 more than comparable Blackstone models. Both cook food equally well, but Weber offers better build quality and rust resistance. Blackstone heats faster and reaches higher temperatures (600°F+ vs 550°F). Most people can’t justify Weber’s price premium.
4. What’s the difference between the Weber Slate 36″ and 30″ models?
The 36″ offers 756 square inches versus 630 for the 30″ model. The larger size costs $150-200 more and weighs significantly more. The 30″ model works fine for families of 2-4 people.
5. Can I assemble the Weber Slate 36″ myself?
Yes, assembly takes 2-4 hours with basic tools. Instructions are clear, and parts fit well. You’ll need help positioning the 198-pound assembled unit. No electrical or gas line connections required.
6. What accessories are available for the Weber Slate 36″?
Weber offers limited accessories compared to their traditional grills. Many owners buy third-party covers from brands like Unicook ($28-47), which cost less than Weber’s official options.
7. How do I clean and maintain the Weber Slate 36″?
Scrape food debris while warm, wipe with oil, and empty the grease tray. Season regularly and use a cover. Avoid soap on the cooking surface as it removes protective seasoning.
8. What’s the maximum temperature and heat-up time?
The Weber Slate 36″ reaches 550°F maximum and takes 15 minutes to heat up. Four burners create different temperature zones, and the digital thermometer shows accurate readings.
9. Is the Weber Slate 36″ better than the Weber Genesis grills?
Different purposes. The Slate excels at flat-top cooking (breakfast, smash burgers). Genesis grills provide traditional grilling with flame contact. Genesis has proven reliability and better accessory support.
10. Should I buy now or wait for newer models?
Consider waiting unless you need it now. This is Weber’s first griddle series with limited accessories and unproven support. Budget buyers should consider Blackstone alternatives for similar cooking results at much lower cost.
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