George, I think you know how I feel about mine - love it. The 36" model is ideal for the Mrs and me. I may not always use the 4 burners, but I use them a lot more than you'd think for only 2 people. I don't think I'd be happy with a smaller Blackstone.
Don't worry about outdoor storage, mine's been fine for the couple of years I've owned it. I do have the separate hard cover as well as the soft vinyl cover. The hard cover, whether it's integrated into the unit or optional like mine, is essential. You want to keep the grill surface clean.
The vinyl cover is beginning to deteriorate, but it keeps the side shelves clean. I did have an issue during a recent rainy, cold snap where the vinyl cover was frozen to the hard cover so I had to take both off as a single unit, then wait for them to thaw in the garage.
Go for it, you'll wonder why you didn't buy one sooner.