BBQers Say This Flat-Top Grill Is Even Better Than Blackstone

Cooking up a storm in the backyard is so much easier with a Blackstone griddle. Featuring a large surface area that's perfect for searing meats, you can even cook a pizza on a Blackstone with a little know-how. However, there are some BBQers who say that Weber's Slate griddles are better than Blackstone, praising their quality, cooktop size, range of accessories, and warranty.

One fan of Weber on Reddit said, "Just used my 36 Slate for the first time this weekend...what an absolute pleasure to cook on. Did tons of research before going with this one but the build and material quality along with a logically placed grease trap sold it for me. Plus I love the accessories." Meanwhile, another Redditor said, "[I] have the exact griddle in my backyard. Have cooked on Blackstones and Camp Chefs prior to this. The Slate has hands down been the best griddle experience I have had to date." 

Interestingly, beneath this friendly competition is the fact that Blackstone and Weber actually joined forces in 2025, producing a new holding company called Weber Blackstone. Combining the 70-year-plus history of Weber with Blackstone's pioneering work on producing outdoor griddles, Weber Blackstone still produces flat tops under two separate brand names. This means that regardless of which brand consumers opt for, Weber Blackstone ultimately benefits anyway. Let's take a look at some more differences between Weber and Blackstone griddles. 

The Weber Slate is described as having a premium, resistant cooktop, edge-to-edge heat, and precise heat control. Some models also have a drip pan to catch grease, which makes clean-up easier when preparing smash burgers or steaks with a high ratio of marbling. Blackstone shares many of these features; however, one of the disadvantages of a Blackstone griddle is that it has to be seasoned before first use. In contrast, Weber flat tops are pre-seasoned, which means shoppers can open the package and begin cooking immediately (they do need to be scraped and re-seasoned during their lifetime like a Blackstone, so some maintenance is required). Weber griddles also come with a 5-year warranty, whereas Blackstone only has a 1-year manufacturer warranty, which means customers have to shell out for repair costs.

While some shoppers described the price of the Blackstone as tough to beat, one Redditor advised those who were unsure which brand to choose that, "If I had the money, I would definitely go Weber. I have a Blackstone but all my other toys are Weber and the quality can't be beat and...the warranty is worth the added cost. Every time I've reached out to Weber with a problem with one of my grills, they have either sent me a new part or replacement at no cost."