Napoleon Grills Quality And Durability
Napoleon is a renowned brand. It is owned by Wolf Steel Ltd. and was started in 1976. It is the largest privately owned manufacturer of furnaces, outdoor fireplaces, and grills in North America. Since 2013, Deloitte has recognized Napoleon as one of the best-run companies in Canada.
Having been around for more than four decades and being an industry leader, one can see why Napoleon grills are popular among North Americans and around the world. Buying an item with the Napoleon logo should assure you of not only good quality but also durability.
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Which Propane Grills Are Made In Usa
Best American Made Gas Grills for 2021
- Alfresco ALXE 42-Inch Built-In Gas Grill.
- Summerset Alturi 36-Inch 3-Burner Built-In Gas Grill.
- TEC Sterling Patio FR 44-Inch Built-In Gas Grill.
- Hestan 42-Inch Built-In Natural Gas Grill.
- American Outdoor Grill T-Series 36-Inch Gas Grill.
- TEC G-Sport FR Infrared Propane Gas Grill.
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Can I Clean The Stainless Steel Cooking Grids And If So How
Stainless steel cooking grids are much more durable compared to cast iron cooking grids and are resistant to damaging corrosion. As such, they dont require the same level of attention. With that being said, if you want to ensure that your stainless steel cooking grids are at their cleanest, its best to clean after each use.
You want your grill to still be hot when you clean your stainless steel grids. So use a grill brush that has stainless steel bristles to thoroughly clean your grids. Alternatively, Napoleon offers a bristle-free Super Wave Grill Brush that works wonders on stainless steel cooking grids.
If you wish to clean your grids at a time other than directly after using the grill, preheat your unit to at least 500°F for around 10 or 15 minutes. When it is completely hot, use your brush to remove any existing debris from your cooking grids.
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Napoleon Rogue : What Could Be Improved
The SIZZLE ZONETM side burner: The SIZZLE ZONETM uses a cast iron cooking grate which does do a fantastic job retaining heat from the infrared burner. So much so that it actually may hold a bit too much heat, causing the food that is in contact with the grate to burn. Its manageable with a bit of practice, but a novice may struggle. A thinner stainless steel grate would be a better match up for the SIZZLE ZONETM and allow the infrared burner to perform its heat output function in a more constant manner.
In addition to the grate, the SIZZLE ZONETM is prone to flare ups with meats that have a higher fat content.
The side shelf and SIZZLE ZONETM side burner of the grill are made to fold down. This gives the unit a smaller footprint when not in use, but when folding down the side burner there is a lot of pressure applied to the gas feed line. So much in fact, that the grommet protecting the gas line where it passes thru the grill cabinet starts to displace.
Note: For safetys sake, we strongly suggest that if you will be folding the side burner down on a regular basis you inspect the gas feed line to the side burner before each use.
The propane tank stability ring which slips over the top of the propane cylinder collar to keep the cylinder in place as the grill is moved about your patio works, but in all honesty it is a bit flimsy. An additional improvement in this area would be some type of fuel level indicator like those found in similarly priced gas grills.
Napoleon P500rb Prestige Series Grill $1249
- Up to 66,000 BTUs for fast grilling
- Up to 5 burners including the infrared burner
- 760 sq. inches of cooking
- Available in black porcelain and stainless steel finishes
- Stainless steel tube burners with crossover lighting
- Space saving LIFT EASE roll top lid
- Stainless steel side shelves with condiment trays
- Stainless steel cooking system for longer durability
- Heavy duty rotisserie kit with counter balance and 2 forks for delicious restaurant style cooking using the rear infrared burner
- Available as a natural gas or propane unit
- EASY ROLL locking casters
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Weber Grills Everything You Need To Know
Weber grills have some of the same fancy features that Napoleon grills have. Weber was founded on the belief that we should all be able to enjoy delicious meals outside with the people that we love the most. All the grills are made with drive, passion, and curiosity.
Weber grills are bound to make your grilling experiences easier and better than ever before. The first Weber grill was made in 1952 by George Stephen. He loved grilling steaks and barbecue for his family and friends. After making his innovative grill design, Weber quickly became one of the worlds top leading barbecue brands.
The grill company has kept its midwestern roots by manufacturing its grills in Illinois, near Chicago. All the grill parts are proudly made in the USA. They individually inspect every grill and make sure that they all have the perfect amount of durability, workmanship, and quality. Their jobs and manufacturing process also support the local community and economy.
Their grills can be shipped all over the world and people love using them even in international cities such as Paris, Berlin, Mexico City, Toronto, Sydney, and Tokyo. All their grill recipes are globally inspired.
Table Comparison Napoleon Versus Weber Gas Grills
At this point to get fair grills comparison, we will compare the most famous model from each brand in the relatively same class based on its price.
The Napoleon Grill LEX 485 with Infrared Side & Rear Burners Natural Gas Grill is an extremely well built versatile grill with enough cooking surface for entertaining many people in style. As the name suggests, it works on natural gas or propane. As good gas grills go, this is a mid-price range option but still has everything you need from a gas grill.
It is well made from quality stainless steel and has 4 primary burners also in stainless steel. One of the main advantages is the large grilling space so you can cook for a number of people with Napoleon Grill. The smart wave design of the grill is excellent for cooking smaller items without them falling through. It boasts 4 main burners and 2 additional burners.
All 6 burners can be controlled independently. This gives you excellent control over your cooking and makes Napoleon highly versatile. The side burner and rotisserie will allow you to do authentic restaurant style cooking. You can use the side burner for perfectly seared steaks or put a pot on it for other foods or sauces.
The JETFIRE Ignition System works exceptionally well, and the i-GLOW backlit knobs not only look great but make night cooking a breeze. The Napoleon gas grill is a popular well-loved option.
- A natural gas option is a separate unit, not a conversion
- Not the largest warming rack
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Napoleon Travel Q Portable Vs Weber Q1200 Portable
The Napoleon Travel Q Portable Is truly portable, being lightweight, compact, and easily carriable in one hand. However, the cast iron cooking grates offer a surprising amount of room. Weighing in at around 20 pounds, this portable grill has convenient folding legs, a locking lid, and an innovative two-burner design that allows you to use one side for cooking while another side functions as a warming zone.
With a total cooking area of 285 square inches, the unit has two burners for a total of 12,000 BTUs of heat. Also built-in are a piezo-electric ignition and a temperature gauge mounted on the lid. Overall, this truly portable grill does not compromise on functionality.
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The Weber Q1200 Portable Features a reliable electric starter mechanism, heavy-duty construction, and exceptional heat retention. The combination of a cast-aluminum body and porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates makes it a pleasure to use this outdoors. The integrated thermometer is accurate and easy to read and the fold-out side tables offer plenty of extra space. Weber usually fares well when compared to other portable gas grills.
The unit sports a single U-shaped burner that puts out 8,500 BTUs of heat. Terrific heat retention and distribution means that you do not have to crank this on full to get some serious cooking done.
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Whats The Best Way To Protect My Napoleon Grill
The great thing about their grills is that they are rated for the outside elements. You shouldnt have to worry too much about rain or snow damaging your Napoleon grill. These things really are made with the highest quality in mind.
With that being said, its always a good idea to cover your grill, regardless of the brand, when youre not using it for an extended period of time. A good grill cover will do wonders in prolonging the life of your grill.
Heres an interesting tidbit that might give you some added peace of mind. Napoleon is a Canadian company, so they know a thing or two about harsh elements. They specifically created their grills to withstand Canadian winters. If that doesnt speak to the quality of their grills, were not sure what will.
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Are Weber Grills Really Better
After five days of cooking burgers, barbecue, and chicken on seven top-rated grillsand weeks of researching the dozens availablewe’ve decided that the Weber Spirit II E-310 is our pick as the best gas grill for most people. No grill matches its combination of exceptional performance, usability, durability, and value.
Best Cheap Usa Made Gas Grill
Huntington 24025 Liquid Propane Gas Grill
According to all the features included, this grill is one of the best cheap models you can get on the market. It weighs only 38.5 pounds and it has two wheels at the base so you can easily push it and transport it between house and yard. The grill is 54 long, 20 wide and 42.8 high. The total cooking surface is 390 sq. in. big and it consists of 240 sq. in. big primary cooking surface. There are two stainless steel burners that are emitting 25,000 BTU of heat through the surface.
The burners are lighting up with the Sure-Lite push button electronic ignition system that is run on the batteries. The grills burners are running on the propane gas. There is no fuel gauge to track the levels of the propane. Therefore, you should check the tank before cooking to be sure that you have enough fuel. It has a chrome coated warming rack above the primary cooking surface. The grids are porcelain-coated so the food wont stick to them and theyre very easy to clean.
The front mounted handle is heat resistant so you can lift up the lid anytime without fear of getting burned. The grill doesnt have side burners nor the sear stations, but it has enough side space for preparing a meal and its very compact. So if you want to prepare meals for a small group of people and need a practically sized grill for a small amount of money, this is an ideal choice for you.
Characteristics:
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Which Brands Are Usa
Some brands that make gas grills in the USA are Weber, Kenmore, Char-Griller, Napoleon, Broilmaster, Dyna-Glo, etc. There are many of them and all are providing the best grilling which is an integral part of the American experience. Also, they say their quality is better because of more strict quality control.
Performance Comparison Between Napoleon Grills Compared To Weber
The Napoleon LEX 485 is a well-loved gas cooking system. Given the performance, build and features of this unit it is hard to believe it is an entry-level model. The four powerful burners produce a good 48,000 BTUs below the flame tamers that help to keep in moisture and flavor by vaporizing any drippings.
It has a large 18-inch by a 27-inch main grill, so you have plenty of room to grill. The stainless steel rod cooking grates have a wave design to prevent small items falling through and the durable rods retain heat perfectly and give excellent sear marks to your food. All in all, it is a highly competent grill with a good capacity. It seldom disappoints.
Napoleon also has their Prestige Series which include the Napoleon Prestige Pro, and they have the favorite Napoleon Rogue. Of all grill brands, Weber is probably one of the most well-known.
The Genesis gas or propane options are their mid-level line of grills. Having said that the LX in the name represents luxury so this model is full of features and uses excellent technology. Most notable is the famous Weber GS4 Grilling System and the iGrill3 Bluetooth temperature app compatibility.
This grill looks amazing and performs even better. It is really easy to use from start to finish. The side burners are excellent, and the High+ Heat setting is ideal for certain foods or cooking styles. The backlit controls and lids handles are also exceptional.
Best Sellers
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Heres Why You Should Avoidimported Grills
1. Manufacturing, environmental and laborstandards. Companies building grills in the United States are subject tostringent regulations. This means that if your grill is built in the US, itslikely to be built by people who have been compensated fairly. Likewise, theenvironment likely wasnt harmed in its creation.
2. The frustration of not having access toparts such as grease trays, valves, manifolds, knobs, wheels, and bodyparts. These are just some of the parts you may not be able to replace. Many ofthe parts are only available on the aftermarket . Remember when you import products, you are subject to minimum quantity orders.When you have dozens of models using the same burners and heat shields, meetingthat MOQ is easier than other replacement parts thatare specific to model sizes.
3. There is no commitment to manufacturingequipment. When manufacturing is subcontracted, you are relying on thecontractor to stay in business and have quality and consistent manufacturing. Often, if they change equipment, the engineering of your grill model willchange thus making replacement parts obsolete. Then, when you need areplacement part, it no longer exists.
At that point, what are the replacementoptions? Often there is no replacement. Modification of the outdoor kitchen andcountertop becomes necessary, creating a huge expense. This situation rarelyoccurs in a US-manufactured grill, as we sell at the BBQ Depot.
Prestige Pro 550 Rsib
The Prestige PRO 500 RSIB features 4 main stainless tube burners, sizzle zone side burner and all the features listed above.
This grill would be compared to a Weber Summit S-470 that features 4 stainless tube burners and a standard side burner.
Verdict : While both grills are great, the warranty alone is enough to sway us in the direction of the Napoleon.
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A Look At The History
If you are passionate about BBQ, you will already have some idea about the history of Weber a pioneer in the space that has been on the market for many decades. A behemoth in the market, Weber was originally a metal works company, starting operations in 1893.
However, Weber became one of the pioneers in the BBQ industry after inventing the kettle grill in 1952, a contraption that is still found in many homes. The kettle grill, made from a metal buoy that was split into two parts, became almost synonymous with grilling and still enjoys a large user base.
From there, Weber started creating a wide variety of grills and smokers and currently has a large range of BBQ products on the market. The brand is well-known for producing grills that are tough, durable, and allow for versatile cooking options. They also have a wide range of grilling accessories that can make life easier for BBQ beginner or veteran alike. They have also evolved with the times, incorporating the latest technologies and modern features into their grills to provide a seamless experience.
Napoleon, while being a late entrant into the BBQ market, has a somewhat similar origin story. The company also started off as a metal works company, kicked off by two German immigrants in Canada. Napoleon became a brand manufacturing grills in the 1980s, and have steadily progressed with excellent grills and other heating appliances over the years.
Napoleon Rogue 425 Vs Weber Spirit Ii E
The Napoleon Rogue 425 Is an excellent entry-level choice that comes with an attractive price tag and a visually pleasing, sturdy body. Assembly is easy with detailed instructions from Napoleon and quality component parts. The grill provides a total of 51,000 BTUs and heats up incredibly quickly, easily reaching an operating temperature of 700F within minutes. The ignition system operates with a push-in mechanism, very similar to a traditional gas knob, making it really easy for BBQ beginners to get started with this unit.
Under the hood, the porcelain-enameled grates have a unique wave shape, making for excellent heat transfer and retention. The grill offers a total cooking area of 665 square inches, with a sturdy, reassuring hood that helps efficiency. The special grease management system can be easily cleaned and the fire box is of especially high quality. Folding side shelves can make prepping an easy task and the unit includes an enclosed cart design for protected storage. The chrome-plated warming rack is spacious.
Other conveniences include integrated tool hooks and a built-in Accu-Probe temperature gauge that provides accurate readings. Adding gas to the grill is easy with a convenient click mechanism and the built-in storage for the gas bottle ensures a steady flow of gas without the pipe getting bent or crinkled. Of special note are the locking castors, which operate on swivel motion and are made from high-quality parts.
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