A Review Of Napoleon Vs Weber Gas Grills
Steve Sheinkopf | August 16, 2018 | 7 Min. Read
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When I started at Yale in 1986, there wasn’t much choice for BBQ grills. You bought a $300 grill to replace after a few years.
Then the professional grill with companies like Viking, Lynx and Wolf were marketed with solid stainless construction and high BTU output. So 10 years ago, you had your $300 grill or a better grill at about $4,000 .
Then Weber popularized a quality, well constructed grill between $420 to $2,500 and really dominated the whole category. It was cheaper to buy a Weber once rather than a cheaper grill every few years. At the same time, it is a good, less expensive substitute to the expensive pro options.
Weber for the last few years has had very little competition. Until Now.
Napoleon is a large Canadian version of Weber with really interesting features at a decent price. Let’s see how they compare.
Jim Pfefferle Pewaukee Wi
Date Code: C
I rescued this bad boy from the back porch of my sisters place, where it had gathered dust since my fathers passing five years ago. Before looking, I was pretty confident it would be a C model, since my Dad was always trying out new grills and loved Weber products. I now consider this WSM a family heirloom.
The Issue With The Outsourcing
Weber has chosen to outsource their goods for manufacturing purposes for some of these third-world countries due to taxation issues. Large conglomerates tend to pay lower taxes abroad other than in the USA. It lets companies like Weber pay lower taxes.
Outsourcing allows the acquisition of labor at minimum cost. With this, the manufacturing cost of this overseas country is somewhat low. With the relaxed costing and taxation system Weber can save a lot of money.
Apart from that, outsourcing allows the home-built company to focus on its goal. Weber has more straightforward goal developmental plans with this ideology as they dont have to look for any manufacturing issues. They can hire other outside companies to do the heavy lifting on behalf of them.
All these factors can come together and provide the company to build customer retainability with affordable products by increasing the sales and cost of the product enabling their higher profit margin.
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Some Problems With Other Manufacturing Company
Though outsourcing has its benefits, it comes with mini e issues. The first issue being the quality issue. Due to a deficiency of quality control and lower standards during the manufacturing process, customers often suffer. But the Weber company claims that the quality of the grilling product is not affected by all this.
Outsourcing companies do not think about environmental issues. They often rely on shipping their goods to and fro using primary transportation methods for freighters. It can be daunting on the environment.
What Is Webers Model Year
The code schemes described below represent a grills model year, not a calendar year. Webers model year runs from . For example, a grill with date code DE is part of the 2009 model year and may have been manufactured anytime between 10/1/2008 and 9/30/2009. Its also possible that for any given model year, a few remaining vent dampers from the previous model year were carried forward and used-up after the start of a new model year.
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Best Overall Gas: Weber Spirit Ii E
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Even heating surface and few flare-ups
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Compatible with Webers iGrill 3
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Easy-to-read fuel scale
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Grease management system makes it easy to clean
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Price tag is steep for three burners
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No side burner
If youre looking for a well-built gas grill to sizzle your steaks and serve up perfectly charred hamburgers, the Weber Spirit II E-310 is our top pick for a gas grill.
The Weber Spirit II E-310 offers three burners with an output of 30,000 BTUs per hour, and it features the brand’s GS4 grilling system, which includes improved ignition, porcelain-enameled “Flavorizer” bars, and an efficient grease management system. The grill has 529 square inches of cooking space across its enameled cast iron cooking grates, providing plenty of room for all your burgers, steaks, and veggies, and there are tables on each side of the grill area, one of which can be folded down.
This grill’s open cart design provides additional storage space for your favorite tools, and it has integrated hooks on the side tables, as well. The grill is available in several colors, and it has an easy-to-read fuel gauge next to the propane tank to let you know how much fuel you have remaining. Our tester said its performance, advanced design features, and warranty make this “worth the splurge.”
Dimensions: 45.5 x 52 x 24 inches | TotalCooking Area: 529 square inches | Type: gas
Frits De Jonge Nijmegen Netherlands Model 1880
Date Code: C
Although it has some imperfectionsthe enamel on the bottom rim is not perfect, the bottom grill is missing, and its not perfectly round anymorethe rest it still looks great. The original booklet was present as well.
The owner told me that he had received this smoker from his sister in Scotland, but they never used it. As you can imagine, I am very pleased to own such an old, special WSM.
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Which Is Better Weber Or Ziegler
The Weber is lighter, uses less fuel and has a slightly more useful cooking surface. The Ziggy has better control over its heat, is more versatile, is great value for money and it copes with the wind. Both retail for $349 but the Ziggy comes with more standard accessories than the Weber, so its better value for money.
Which Is Better Napoleon Or Weber
One the one hand, Napoleon is slightly less expensive and does give you a larger primary cooking area, but the Weber is also great and has some cool features. It is probably slightly more robust and is also more compact. While they are both easy to use, the Weber will probably suit the beginner better than Napoleon.
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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.
Roger Fecher Cincinnati Oh
Date Code: C
After deciding that a Weber Smokey Mountain was the best bet for great BBQ at a reasonable price, I set off to find a smoker. I found this smoker through an online estate auction. The colored manual pictured in the auction led me to believe that it was an early model. As I read more, I got excited that I could be looking at an early 1980s model of the WSM. A few others drove the price up to $80, which I was glad to pay.
When I picked up the item I was pleased to find that the only parts that needed to be replaced were the food grates. It even came with the original teak wood handle in good condition as well as the original assembly guide and full color manual. I got excited when I saw the C date code stamp. I opted to purchase a new door since the original had obvious air gaps and was rather rusty due to its time in the elements. I was amazed at the wonderful condition of the rest of the unit. The legs are rusted over, but the porcelain finish is still in great condition. The charcoal grate is a bit rusty, but perfectly usable.
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Which Grill Should You Purchase
When it comes to purchasing a grill, you willeither spend your money upfront on a quality grill that will last for decadesor youll spend it later. Oftentimes consumers find themselves buying the sameimported grills over and over again.
Instead, we offer the solution of buying oneAmerican-made grill from BBQ Depot that youll be able to use for years tocome.
We have vast experience and knowledge when itcomes to grills. We have been selling and repairing grills since 1956! We lookforward to serving you and your family and helping you find a grill to joinyour backyard festivities for many years.
FYI: Some of these links have been updated.
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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Weber Grills Models Made In The Us
Some of the Weber grills presented below are made and assembled in the USA with all-around sourced components.
- The High-Tech Grills in the Summit Series like Summit Gas Grills
- All Original Kettle Charcoal Grills
- Weber Q Series
- Jumbo Joe
- Go-Anywhere
Weber Q Series Grills are instantly recognizable, and most of them are portable. Its cooking chamber is in a saucer-shaped design which makes it great. One of its Q3200 models comes in a full-sized. If we talk about the traditional kettle-style, the charcoal grill is one of the best grill which is not only more affordable but also user-friendly. Its premium version allows a sophisticated ash management feature and comes in different sizes from 18 to 26 inches.
Another Webers brand Summit Series high-tech grills come with a combination of charcoal and gas-powered units. Some Summit grills are available in Kamado-style. These summit Webers grills offer the very best features but are expensive. Smokey Joe, Jumbo Joe, and Go-Anywhere are made in the USA as well. All these grills are designed in a portable unit, and you can carry them easily on camping or outdoor trips.
Both Smokey Joe and Jumbo Joe come in a squat design, but the Go-Anywhere tabletop grill comes in a rectangular shape with gas and charcoal options. Joe-family grills accept just charcoal-burning units. Weber introduced the Smokey Joe grills in a lot of colors with 14 inches in diameter, and Jumbo Joe takes some little extra 18 inches of grilling space.
Weber Products Not Made In The Usa
Some of the weber products that are manufactured in third-world countries are discussed below.
The spirit series is the product of China. The genesis two series has its part amalgamated by globally source components. Also, the original kettle charcoal grill is a product of globally sourced components. The summit series goes through the same globally sourced components. The q series also suffers the same fate.
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History Of Weber Grills
Weber grills trace its innovative history to the suburbs of Chicago. George Steven invented this incredible grilling machine back in the year 1952. He happens to be the former person to put forward the Kettle style grill to its consumers.
The innovative design of the grill made it easier to use and highly efficient. The family successfully ran the business and its operation for decades until one day, and they decided to sell off their controlling stakes. The reason is simply the competition which the Weber Company faced now. The Weber Company was losing the international market due to steep competition. The company sold off its stakes to BDT. Today the world knows this kettle-style grill like a Weber kettle. The Weber Company has continued to fulfill their customers perfect grilling with their innovative gas grills, charcoal grills, and even the efficient electric grill over the years. In todays era, there is none whose house does not contain a Weber Product. Most households use portable weber products at the local park campsite or any barbecue party where they love to cook.
With such humble beginnings, the Weber Company is now one of the largest manufacturers in the world. It has its hub in Illinois and continues to engineer and design all kinds of drilling equipment.
Which Brand Of Bbq Is Best
These are the best grills you can buy in 2021:
- Best Overall Grill: Weber Genesis II EX-335.
- Best Value Grill: NexGrill 4-Burner Gas Grill.
- Best Gas Grill: Weber Spirit II E-310 Propane Grill.
- Best Grill for Beginners: Char-Broil Infrared Gas Grill.
- Best Charcoal Grill: Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill.
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Why Should You Buy A Weber Grill
Weber barbeque grills are very advanced and they provide excellent performance.
The first thing you will love about Weber grills is that most of them feature an impressive grease management system which makes them easy to maintain.
A grease tray is included which traps the grease to prevent it from reaching the other parts of the grill. As a result, Weber grills are very easy to maintain.
Another thing is that most of the Weber grills contain side tables that provide a large surface area for cooking.
They are also made from long-lasting materials such as stainless steel, porcelain enamel, and cast iron material which allows them to last longer than Char-Broil grills.
Also, dont forget that they contain a bar system that is known as flavors or bars and this is one of the unique features you cant find in Char-Broil grills.
To boost mobility, long-lasting wheels are also included.
Lastly, they come with a lid that is used to cover them after you are done with grilling. However, they take some time to get hot as compared to Char-Broil grills.
Kevin Steers Cedarburg Wi
Date Code: B
Kevin says, Days after an estate sale in my neighborhood in northern Wisconsin, this WSM was found in the bushes, where it had been abandoned. The new homeowner told me to take it, as he knew I was a barbecue guy. I will need to reverse a mod, as the original owner converted it to propane, I believe, as evidenced by the holes in the base.
In the first photo, you can see the propane valve attached to the front leg of the charcoal bowl. In the third photo looking inside the charcoal bowl, the rectangular hole is probably access for the propane burner the small hole in the bottom is probably a weep hole for water.
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Weber Alternative Grills Brands
Are you looking for American-made quality grills and want to buy one which is an alternative to Weber grills? There are a lot of companies available that introduced thousands plus BBQ grills. Have a look and know about the most popular ones.
PK Grills:
When George Stephen was working on a kettle-style grill, Hilton Meigs of Texas introduced PK Grills at the same time as an alternative to Webers grilling products. He created a box-shaped grill and kept its name as Portable Kitchen. After that, Meigs transferred its headquarters to Little Rock in 1960. He manufactured many grills models, but most of the new models are similar to their original design. All his grills come in many different sizes and look like a hibachi-style unit.
Broil King:
In Indiana, the Broil King grill is designed to resemble the Weber grilling brand. Despite a shortfall of outsourcing, the company still offers low prices and maintains the management of the overall manufacturing system. The Signet 320 grilling model is one of the most expensive portable gas grills.
