@@highlander05141985 if i was getting a charcoal grill, Weber all the way however i have heard amazing things about the Napoleon Prestiges when it comes to propane
i have a small Broil king, and it has blown off the deck 3 times in high winds and it is still in great shape and works perfectly, it is a BEAST , they are built like tanks as he said. it holds the HEAT like no other !!
I went for the larger Napoleon grill using natural gas. It is my first gas grill (after using an Akron kamado). I have found the same “uneven” temp on the grates, but use that to advantage when cooking foods of uneven thickness. You asked for comments on how we use the upper shelf, so here are my three uses: 1. Keep warm (as expected) 2. Float buns for burgers and dogs 3. I smoke pork and brisket on the upper rack with a foil pan (with liquid) below on the rack. I use Napoleon’s charcoal holder to hold some wood chunks, briquettes and soaked wood chips to provide smoke. It requires a bit of attention as to temps, but has worked well providing a smoked flavor to both meats.
Those are some great models. The grilla would be my choice of those. My favorite grill for the money is Monuments 77352. It has been the very best longest lasting grill I have ever owned and believe me i cook almost daily on a grill. Please give it a look.
When using the side burner for steak, on the Napoleon, you should raise the grate to the upper position. Also the roll top lid helps with heat retention and wind control.
Thanks for your videos. I followed the link and ordered a Grilla Primate and the 2/3 griddle (more to my lifestyle). The 2/3 size is perfect for my family and my bbq'ing needs. I'll have an extra full size griddle in my garage for a while... too bad they don't have the option to pick between the full size and 2/3 griddle. Not to mention the great sale going on now at Grilla Grills - saved me a bunch of cash!!!!
I have been a Weber supporter since 1978. I have owned two Genesis grills, two 22" kettles and their 18" WSM. All have been of very high quality and durability. That said, I truly appreciate your comparison of the other brands. Very well done!
@TheBarbecueLab - Perfect timing for this review!! One item that really should be discussed is the temperature adjustability. Nothing worse than either 'off' or 1000 degrees! I'm curious how the various knob "markings" on the grills reflect the heat level. For example, you dial it up to 50% does it provide 50% of the maximum temperature of that grill? Can you provide some insight ?
You mentioned that your daughter really likes the Grilla Primate. Can you give us an idea as to what she likes about this grill in particular? I'd love to hear the rationale from a different perspective. Thanks!!!
I have had a napoleon for 30 years and have been fighting the issue of uneven heat exactly as in the video. Heat was always lower on left side and worse in front corner. Very frustrating when cooking burgers or steaks and trying to get them all to cook evenly. Found myself constantly rotating positions to accommodate tor the issue and could not confidently guarantee the result. I used the warranty to get a new burner after the the first one finally corroded, and hoped it would maybe solve the issue. The uneven cooking was sill present. So, I now am looking for a new grill. I like all the features the new napoleon grill has, but very disappointed when the test showed it was the only one in the bunch with a heat distribution issue. To me quality of cooking ins KING. So I'm still undecided on what to buy. Would like to hear if others experienced the same problem.
I had the same issue for 20 years but would use the zones as areas for cooking different things veggies in cooler areas, rare beef, buns if frozen and need sear marks. Hot spots medium or well done meats etc. I do agree you have to be way more attentive and its not ideal for sure. I am buying another Napoleon Grill this weekend, they have an annual showcase once a year just down the street from HQ and will be picking up a Prestige.
I’m a Weber guy that went to a Napoleon just recently. My first thoughts. Cheaper, thiner metal used, and doesn’t get as hot or cook as evenly as my 20 plus year old Summit. I like the sear station and the rotisserie as an option. I think it will fall apart much sooner but hey I got a great deal on it. The Summit was rusting through. I’ve only done 3 cooks on it so far and it’s done pretty good. Looking forward to trying the rotisserie for maybe turkey.
Thanks for sharing your experience! I wanted to test metal thickness on each grill with our digital caliper, but with almost all of the lids folded and some double walled, I’d have to completely disassemble the grill to get data, and it was too much. Appreciate you sharing!
@@TheBarbecueLab It’s mainly the bottom cabinet. I bent portions of where the doors attached to the cabinet by just moving it to my backyard. The doors fell off during the short movement. Once I had the grill where I wanted it, I literally bent the metal back with my hands to get the doors back on. It’s the exact Napoleon model you tested. My Weber was a solid beast. The warranty appeals to me but there is no way this thing comes close to a lifetime unless mine is cut very short. 😂
I've been a Weber guy for over 20 years, but the Napoleon Prestige 500 is the best propane grill I've ever had! Could not be happier. The thicker steel grates, rotisserie, even heating (this thing is HOT), and the IR side burner are amazing and deliver consistent products every time. The LEDs are just the icing on the cake along with the awesome warranty. I still use my old Weber kettle and Smokey Mountain all the time, but the Napoleon does things neither of them can do and just in my experience, it gets hotter faster and more consistently than the Weber Genesis models I've had. It's also built in Canada, not made in China then "assembled" in the US like some brands are now. Phenomenal build quality on the Napoleon!
We have the Prestige Pro 500 since 2017. Cooks amazing but starting to have some rust issues with the burners and hardware despite being covered. Just filed a warranty claim and hoping they will help out. We really do love this grill!
@@kenneththomas8299 it's definitely not the same level of service you get from Weber and it has been a journey. You cannot get them on the phone. I've waited 60 minutes or more on three different occasions and sent emails that were not responded to. The warranty claim form only allows you to upload one photo and then if that does not capture all of the concern, they email to ask for more photos. That took over a week for me to receive the email to request for additional photos and then another two weeks to get a response to that. And now the issue I have is that one of my photos did not accurately show that all 7 of my grill plates are rusted and instead only included 4 grill plates, so they are only sending me 4. At the end of it all, I am getting 4 of the 7 grill plates I need, 4 new burners, and then they charged me for a couple other parts that are considered out of warranty. It ended up being $75 US. I will add another warranty claim for the other parts and see where it goes. I. The meantime my grill is still not operational so I really hope they ship quickly! Hope this helps.
Excellent review. I think Addy knows what she is talking about here. The Grilla Primate looks like a true grilling/griddle machine. Thanks for posting.
I went for a larger Napoleon Prestige Pro, and while it's at a higher price level, they share a lot of features. I'm certain this will be the last grill I ever buy! It's high in quality, awesome features and you can beat that lifetime warranty! One thing I will say even my grill heats better in the back just like your test grill. It's not a huge deal now that I know how to cook with that knowledge, but I would've expected more even cooking at that price point.
Thank you for this information. You tested how to clean the grills, but not how to clean the grease collection or how to replace a burner. Is it possible to test those features as well?
I want to see you test the side and or sear burner's usefulness. For instance, how well do they handle cooking side dishes, boiling water, stir fry, etc..
I went with grilla , 900.00 with cover . Most bang for buck, and being all stainless is huge to me. My Weber rusted out inside the cabinet, the stainless parts are still fine.
Thank you for sharing, great information. Wish this covered the grills that could be turned into a backyard rotisserie and how they preformed. Maybe another time...
As an ex-Qstove+ user, I was initially hesitant to make the switch to Asmoke. However, after using the Asmoke Essential, I've found it to be a complete game-changer for my grilling experience. The precision temperature control and the fact that it uses wood pellets as a fuel source has drastically improved the taste and aroma of my food. Its portable design made it perfect for my road trips and tailgating events. I was amazed by its versatility as it could be used for grilling, smoking, roasting, and even baking. Also, the ability to control and monitor the temperature remotely via the app made grilling a breeze. I've found Asmoke to be more efficient and easier to clean compared to Qstoves. Hands down, Asmoke has changed the way I grill for the better. #Asmoke
I’m really impressed with the Napoleon, and I’m really glad they were in the test. You may not see them at all the big box stores, but they’re impressive in the features they offer for the price. Thanks for watching!
How long have you owned it and what does it look like now...i.e., pics I've seen of Napoleon's 6+ months out, look to be dismal in appearance. They look discolored. I'm assuming that's due to single layer hood, maybe just the stainless quality overall, I don't know. The grates look aged in every pic I've seen from owners. And at $2 g's+, the sheet metal while 'stainless' seems pretty thin (looked at one at a local distributor's showroom).
Warning to all considering a Napoleon: they usually go at around 3-6 years, and no, Napoleon does not stand by its warranty. Three people including myself have had issues with their garbage product; don’t be a sucker.
What if you buy the Napolean through an official seller? That way your seller store will have to forward your problems to Napolean rather than having to get their attention yourself!
I have the weber GENESIS S-435 Gas Grill (Liquid Propane), griddle, Rotisserie, and Sear Grate. It does a great job. My other grills I own is a Kamado Joe big joe series 3, a Pit boss 1600 elite, and a weber 26in kettle. I also own an Old country Brazos, old country gravity feed smoker, and a Pit Boss Pro Series 6-Series Elite Vertical Smoker.
Sounds like your back patio probably looks like ours. Lots of grills, and nowhere for friends to sit, lol! What’s the difference between the 435 and the 335 that you’ve experienced?
@@TheBarbecueLab the 435 has a high grill temp because of the extra burner. I had set an ambient probe over the grate and it read 850 degrees f. It has more storage space in the cart. I did fit 30 burgers on it. I have had that grill for 2 years now and it is still going strong.
30 burgers! Wow. That’s great. I love that higher temp you got. I was surprised with the almost 950 on the Grilla Primate. I wasn’t expecting that, but I do love that we got to use the Fireboard Pro’s for testing. All the best and I hope your grill serves you well for years to come.
Having had a Napoleon Prestige for the last 20 years, and finding it's time to replace; you really missed talking about rotisserie work in your review. We probably use the rotisserie 50% of the time, so a dedicated burner is a must (can catch drippings for gravy/sauces, etc). I'm really staring Broil King in the eye on this one. Do I stick with Napoleon that I know? or go to Broil King and save 20% of the $$$ (in Canada, the economics of this is startlingly different; Weber is 30% more; BK is 20% less than Napoleon.)
I think that's really up to you and the features that you like on the different models. Since I'm not a big rotisserie user, it's not something we considered testing, but if you're using the rotisserie 50% of the time, then I would major on that component to decide. They're all good grills, but it's the features that should be the deciding factor in my opinion.
When cooking burgers. What about zones not directly over a burner. Those areas I find are not as a good area to cook evenly. Sear zone is good though. But only works well on that side.
It really didn’t come up in our tests, since we were grilling and searing. I didn’t want the tests to get out of control, so we didn’t test roasting or anything that the lid height would have come into play. I don’t think a rotisserie is in the future for this grill with this lid system at least, but as far as it works for grilling and searing, it’s got it going on. If you’re wanting a rotisserie, I’d probably look at one of the others, since they’re made for that style of cooking more than the Primate.
I too wonder about this... Some days the wind blows and closing the grill would help expedite the cooking. But if you can't fit a splayed chicken in there when it's closed, that doesn't help at all.
First time to your channel, I really enjoyed it and found it useful. Maybe just accessorize my 5 yr old Regal, add an infrared side burner, customize some drawer separators. Maybe a topic you could cover if you haven’t. Anyway, new subscriber here, good job.
I have a Great Outdoor Grill Company (no longer in business).30 yrs old. Rebilt manyy times. New burners, ceramic bricks. The best thing I ever bought for it is Grill Grates. Wouldn't it for any of the ones shown here.
I haven’t ever cooked on a Fire Magic, but hopefully I’ll get a chance one of these days. Melissa agrees with your wife when I show her new grills I think we need, lol. We’re doing a lot more cooking off site, and I see a trailer in our future, but Melissa isn’t convinced yet. Thanks for watching!
@@TheRiddle20 no this was back around memorial Day right before they announced the mem day sale. We just happened to be shopping for it when they were already applying the discount even though they hadn't announced the sale yet.
Thank you for this video. I'm on the market for a stainless Steel Grill/Griddle Combo. My wife passed last year ( Bless her Soul) So I'm alone but my 2 kids and grandkids visit every day, dang these little rascals. I'm thinking of the Napoleon 500 or 655 but do they have a Griddle plate for this? Thanks for your response in advance, and continue with your videos. You are helping people like us a lot. Kudos Oh BTW I'm 66 so not old but on medical retirement. Cancer and back and neck surgeries lol
I’m not sure that the Primate has a rotisserie, since the lid doesn’t have that much vertical space between the grate and the lid. I never ran into a problem with the lid being shorter, but granted I was testing grilling and searing, not roasting since the video was already a half hour long.
That grilla is $999 for just the top. Can't see from the link where they sell the whole thing with the cabinet and griddle for $1100. The only one they have with a cabinet is $1900
Actually, right now Grilla Grills is running a 25% off sale, but the prices don't show up until you add them to the cart. The Primate with cart is coming up at $825! grillagrills.pxf.io/JzPe6e
Not that it was forgotten, but I think it would've been good to show the "special edition" Weber version that is available through Ace or smaller (read: not Lowe's or Home Depot) retailers. Those grills, like the SP-E-325, include 9mm stainless grates among other additional features for not much more, if at all, than the "standard" versions.
I'm confused in trying to figure out what the warranty actually is on the Napoleon. Some are saying "Lifetime b2b warranty" but online I'm seeing it advertised as only a 15 year warranty. And for the record I'm speaking of the model tested here, specifically, model # P500RSIBPSS-3
@thebarbecuelab i would really love to see you revisit the napoleon prestige 500 grill on the cook test. the fact that it didn't could evenly on the front burgers (and under cooked vs the back burners) was an instant no to me for this grill, even though on paper, it looks like a great choice. you mentioned that it was a windy day and that could have affected the result. i think it only fair to revisit the test on this grill and see if it produces the same results on a non windy day, or if it in fact cooks good and evenly. could be the difference between a purchase or a pass. Thanks
I have had a napoleon for 30 years and have been fighting the issue of uneven heat exactly as in the video. Heat was always lower on left side and worse in front corner. Very frustrating when cooking burgers or steaks and trying to get them all to cook evenly. Found myself constantly rotating positions to accommodate tor the issue and could not confidently guarantee the result. I used the warranty to get a new burner after the the first one finally corroded, and hoped it would maybe solve the issue. The uneven cooking was sill present. So, I now am looking for a new grill. I like all the features the new napoleon grill has, but very disappointed when the test showed it was the only one in the bunch with a heat distribution issue. To me quality of cooking ins KING. So -im still undecided- Would like to hear if others experienced the same problem.
@@anthonygatto3158 i did end up buying the napoleon prestige 500 (1500.00), and it DOES have uneven heating. i can't tell a difference from left to right, but i haven't cooked enough on it to say for sure. i almost think the right side is hotter, but am uncertain. HOWEVER, i am 100% certain, that just as in the test, the front is not as hot as the middle or back. Very frustrating to spend t his kind of money on something i can't really cook on the front on. but, i'm now stuck with this for the next 15 to 20 years, so i'll kick myself for a long time at not getting a weber. but all the features (rear burner, rotisserie, side burner) really sold me on this. I also don't think the side sear burner is as amazing as many go on about. IMO.
I hade simple Napoleon Rouge 525, for 3 years, i dold thr grill, inoven coking surface, that cadt iron hrades was garbsge, psrts fslling spart from them. Next eull be Weber.
I chatted with Monument about being a part of this video, but they didn't feel like it would have been a good fit for them, so they passed. I haven't worked with that unit myself, so I can't really comment much about it without any personal experience.
I have been sent here to turn all of you from your wicked ways. Leave the gas grills alone. Cross over into the oasis of charcoal grilling. Your taste buds will thank you. Have a blessed day
If a magnet sticks to the metal it is 400 series stainless and will rust. If it does not stick then it is 300 series stainless. The 300 series will rust after your greatgrand children use the grill for 20 years. Maybe.
Beware if you chose to buy from them .. They say they will ship within 24 hours .. It's been 6 days and they still haven't shipped my order and no one can tell me when it will be done either. They are all sorry but they can't help me.. I'm the one who's sorry
Some things they did Not test but are worth noting: - Ease of cleanliness of the grill underneath the grates - propane tank placement , operation and level meter - how hot the top lids and sides of the grill get - flare up fire levels.
Replaced my 20 year old Weber Genesis with a Napoleon Prestige 500. Hands down the best grill I have ever owned, I love the Napoleon.
If you had a weber last you 20 years if buy another weber
@@highlander05141985lol seriously. Napoleons are notoriously short lived
@@highlander05141985 if i was getting a charcoal grill, Weber all the way
however i have heard amazing things about the Napoleon Prestiges when it comes to propane
@@highlander05141985 My Vermont Castings is about 24 years old. I'm going with Napoleon though. Has a few more features that may come in handy.
i have a small Broil king, and it has blown off the deck 3 times in high winds and it is still in great shape and works perfectly, it is a BEAST , they are built like tanks as he said.
it holds the HEAT like no other !!
I went for the larger Napoleon grill using natural gas. It is my first gas grill (after using an Akron kamado). I have found the same “uneven” temp on the grates, but use that to advantage when cooking foods of uneven thickness. You asked for comments on how we use the upper shelf, so here are my three uses:
1. Keep warm (as expected)
2. Float buns for burgers and dogs
3. I smoke pork and brisket on the upper rack with a foil pan (with liquid) below on the rack. I use Napoleon’s charcoal holder to hold some wood chunks, briquettes and soaked wood chips to provide smoke. It requires a bit of attention as to temps, but has worked well providing a smoked flavor to both meats.
I am thinking of exactly this grill as a replacement for my Genesis that I have had for almost 18yrs. How do you like it so far?
Those are some great models. The grilla would be my choice of those. My favorite grill for the money is Monuments 77352. It has been the very best longest lasting grill I have ever owned and believe me i cook almost daily on a grill. Please give it a look.
When using the side burner for steak, on the Napoleon, you should raise the grate to the upper position. Also the roll top lid helps with heat retention and wind control.
Wouldn't the sear be better down low?
@@kenneththomas8299 they designed it to give room to help prevent flair ups. Down low is for pans.
Thanks for your videos. I followed the link and ordered a Grilla Primate and the 2/3 griddle (more to my lifestyle). The 2/3 size is perfect for my family and my bbq'ing needs. I'll have an extra full size griddle in my garage for a while... too bad they don't have the option to pick between the full size and 2/3 griddle. Not to mention the great sale going on now at Grilla Grills - saved me a bunch of cash!!!!
I have been a Weber supporter since 1978. I have owned two Genesis grills, two 22" kettles and their 18" WSM. All have been of very high quality and durability. That said, I truly appreciate your comparison of the other brands. Very well done!
@TheBarbecueLab - Perfect timing for this review!! One item that really should be discussed is the temperature adjustability. Nothing worse than either 'off' or 1000 degrees! I'm curious how the various knob "markings" on the grills reflect the heat level. For example, you dial it up to 50% does it provide 50% of the maximum temperature of that grill? Can you provide some insight ?
You mentioned that your daughter really likes the Grilla Primate. Can you give us an idea as to what she likes about this grill in particular? I'd love to hear the rationale from a different perspective. Thanks!!!
I have had a napoleon for 30 years and have been fighting the issue of uneven heat exactly as in the video. Heat was always lower on left side and worse in front corner. Very frustrating when cooking burgers or steaks and trying to get them all to cook evenly. Found myself constantly rotating positions to accommodate tor the issue and could not confidently guarantee the result. I used the warranty to get a new burner after the the first one finally corroded, and hoped it would maybe solve the issue. The uneven cooking was sill present. So, I now am looking for a new grill. I like all the features the new napoleon grill has, but very disappointed when the test showed it was the only one in the bunch with a heat distribution issue. To me quality of cooking ins KING. So I'm still undecided on what to buy. Would like to hear if others experienced the same problem.
I had the same issue for 20 years but would use the zones as areas for cooking different things veggies in cooler areas, rare beef, buns if frozen and need sear marks. Hot spots medium or well done meats etc. I do agree you have to be way more attentive and its not ideal for sure. I am buying another Napoleon Grill this weekend, they have an annual showcase once a year just down the street from HQ and will be picking up a Prestige.
I’m a Weber guy that went to a Napoleon just recently. My first thoughts. Cheaper, thiner metal used, and doesn’t get as hot or cook as evenly as my 20 plus year old Summit. I like the sear station and the rotisserie as an option. I think it will fall apart much sooner but hey I got a great deal on it. The Summit was rusting through. I’ve only done 3 cooks on it so far and it’s done pretty good. Looking forward to trying the rotisserie for maybe turkey.
Thanks for sharing your experience! I wanted to test metal thickness on each grill with our digital caliper, but with almost all of the lids folded and some double walled, I’d have to completely disassemble the grill to get data, and it was too much. Appreciate you sharing!
@@TheBarbecueLab It’s mainly the bottom cabinet. I bent portions of where the doors attached to the cabinet by just moving it to my backyard. The doors fell off during the short movement. Once I had the grill where I wanted it, I literally bent the metal back with my hands to get the doors back on. It’s the exact Napoleon model you tested. My Weber was a solid beast. The warranty appeals to me but there is no way this thing comes close to a lifetime unless mine is cut very short. 😂
I've been a Weber guy for over 20 years, but the Napoleon Prestige 500 is the best propane grill I've ever had! Could not be happier. The thicker steel grates, rotisserie, even heating (this thing is HOT), and the IR side burner are amazing and deliver consistent products every time. The LEDs are just the icing on the cake along with the awesome warranty. I still use my old Weber kettle and Smokey Mountain all the time, but the Napoleon does things neither of them can do and just in my experience, it gets hotter faster and more consistently than the Weber Genesis models I've had. It's also built in Canada, not made in China then "assembled" in the US like some brands are now. Phenomenal build quality on the Napoleon!
Agreed!!!
We have the Prestige Pro 500 since 2017. Cooks amazing but starting to have some rust issues with the burners and hardware despite being covered. Just filed a warranty claim and hoping they will help out. We really do love this grill!
@moe2377 did they help you out?
@@kenneththomas8299 it's definitely not the same level of service you get from Weber and it has been a journey. You cannot get them on the phone. I've waited 60 minutes or more on three different occasions and sent emails that were not responded to. The warranty claim form only allows you to upload one photo and then if that does not capture all of the concern, they email to ask for more photos. That took over a week for me to receive the email to request for additional photos and then another two weeks to get a response to that. And now the issue I have is that one of my photos did not accurately show that all 7 of my grill plates are rusted and instead only included 4 grill plates, so they are only sending me 4. At the end of it all, I am getting 4 of the 7 grill plates I need, 4 new burners, and then they charged me for a couple other parts that are considered out of warranty. It ended up being $75 US. I will add another warranty claim for the other parts and see where it goes. I. The meantime my grill is still not operational so I really hope they ship quickly! Hope this helps.
@@moe2377Some rust on grill parts after 7 years is normal. Just replace the parts.
Thanks for the reviews. Question: Do any have a grease funnel under the burners and grease catch?
The support bar in the Napoleon is to prevent storage of a second propane tank.
Excellent review. I think Addy knows what she is talking about here. The Grilla Primate looks like a true grilling/griddle machine. Thanks for posting.
I went for a larger Napoleon Prestige Pro, and while it's at a higher price level, they share a lot of features. I'm certain this will be the last grill I ever buy!
It's high in quality, awesome features and you can beat that lifetime warranty!
One thing I will say even my grill heats better in the back just like your test grill. It's not a huge deal now that I know how to cook with that knowledge, but I would've expected more even cooking at that price point.
Sounds like you picked up a beast of a grill Mike. Congrats!
Oh years ago I bought a sovereign XL broil King and I love it. But I'd like to get a griddle for it. Those expensive barbecues never let you down
Thank you for this information. You tested how to clean the grills, but not how to clean the grease collection or how to replace a burner. Is it possible to test those features as well?
I want to see you test the side and or sear burner's usefulness. For instance, how well do they handle cooking side dishes, boiling water, stir fry, etc..
I went with grilla , 900.00 with cover . Most bang for buck, and being all stainless is huge to me. My Weber rusted out inside the cabinet, the stainless parts are still fine.
Enjoy your new grill! I was just using ours the other day, and man that grill can sear…
Thanks for reviewing the Grilla Primate!!
Absolutely! Loved having the Primate in the testing group. That grill has some serious BTU’s and the full griddle is (chef’s kiss)
Thank you for sharing, great information. Wish this covered the grills that could be turned into a backyard rotisserie and how they preformed. Maybe another time...
Maintaining low temperatures for long cooks like brisket, pork shoulder and ribs
As an ex-Qstove+ user, I was initially hesitant to make the switch to Asmoke. However, after using the Asmoke Essential, I've found it to be a complete game-changer for my grilling experience. The precision temperature control and the fact that it uses wood pellets as a fuel source has drastically improved the taste and aroma of my food. Its portable design made it perfect for my road trips and tailgating events. I was amazed by its versatility as it could be used for grilling, smoking, roasting, and even baking. Also, the ability to control and monitor the temperature remotely via the app made grilling a breeze. I've found Asmoke to be more efficient and easier to clean compared to Qstoves. Hands down, Asmoke has changed the way I grill for the better. #Asmoke
Primate for me! Going to add it to an outdoor kitchen with a pellet smoker and a pizza oven.
Just snagged a Napoleon Freestyle for $275! Retails $499. Clearance at BJ’s. YMMV.
10 year bumper to bumper warranty solidified it for me.
My Napoleon grill rocks. Best thing I’ve owned since buying gas grills throughout the years.
Only took 40 years to figure it out…
I’m really impressed with the Napoleon, and I’m really glad they were in the test. You may not see them at all the big box stores, but they’re impressive in the features they offer for the price. Thanks for watching!
How long have you owned it and what does it look like now...i.e., pics I've seen of Napoleon's 6+ months out, look to be dismal in appearance. They look discolored. I'm assuming that's due to single layer hood, maybe just the stainless quality overall, I don't know. The grates look aged in every pic I've seen from owners. And at $2 g's+, the sheet metal while 'stainless' seems pretty thin (looked at one at a local distributor's showroom).
@@KickButtMarketingowned my Napoleon Prestige Pro 500 for about 3 years. No issues. I keep a cover on it.
Warning to all considering a Napoleon: they usually go at around 3-6 years, and no, Napoleon does not stand by its warranty. Three people including myself have had issues with their garbage product; don’t be a sucker.
What if you buy the Napolean through an official seller? That way your seller store will have to forward your problems to Napolean rather than having to get their attention yourself!
This is super valuable information! Thank you!
Mine just died after 2 seasons. I’ll be contacting napoleon customer service soon
7 years on mine, now trying broil king pro
I agree. They are garbage and being promoted like crazy. They brake and customer service sucks.
I have the weber GENESIS S-435 Gas Grill (Liquid Propane), griddle, Rotisserie, and Sear Grate. It does a great job. My other grills I own is a Kamado Joe big joe series 3, a Pit boss 1600 elite, and a weber 26in kettle. I also own an Old country Brazos, old country gravity feed smoker, and a Pit Boss Pro Series 6-Series Elite Vertical Smoker.
Sounds like your back patio probably looks like ours. Lots of grills, and nowhere for friends to sit, lol! What’s the difference between the 435 and the 335 that you’ve experienced?
@@TheBarbecueLab the 435 has a high grill temp because of the extra burner. I had set an ambient probe over the grate and it read 850 degrees f. It has more storage space in the cart. I did fit 30 burgers on it. I have had that grill for 2 years now and it is still going strong.
30 burgers! Wow. That’s great. I love that higher temp you got. I was surprised with the almost 950 on the Grilla Primate. I wasn’t expecting that, but I do love that we got to use the Fireboard Pro’s for testing. All the best and I hope your grill serves you well for years to come.
Having had a Napoleon Prestige for the last 20 years, and finding it's time to replace; you really missed talking about rotisserie work in your review. We probably use the rotisserie 50% of the time, so a dedicated burner is a must (can catch drippings for gravy/sauces, etc). I'm really staring Broil King in the eye on this one. Do I stick with Napoleon that I know? or go to Broil King and save 20% of the $$$ (in Canada, the economics of this is startlingly different; Weber is 30% more; BK is 20% less than Napoleon.)
I think that's really up to you and the features that you like on the different models. Since I'm not a big rotisserie user, it's not something we considered testing, but if you're using the rotisserie 50% of the time, then I would major on that component to decide. They're all good grills, but it's the features that should be the deciding factor in my opinion.
On the Napoleon you should raise the grates for the side burner to the upper position for searing.
How do the side searing burners clean up with the grease fallout?
Great comparison but was hoping to hear about burner style, cooking box-cast aluminum Vs S/S. also pull out tray advantage/disadvantage. Thank you.
Great suggestion! I'll see if I can add those to our next roundup.
Grilla looks to be sold out in their website. Is that the only place to purchase.
Best thoughal video I have ever watched SUPER JOB
Napoleon is the best one! Love the sear zone!
When cooking burgers. What about zones not directly over a burner. Those areas I find are not as a good area to cook evenly. Sear zone is good though. But only works well on that side.
Love your reviews and presentations. Keep them coming.
Thank you Alvin! Appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment.
Any thoughts on the much lower hood height on the Grilla Primate?
It really didn’t come up in our tests, since we were grilling and searing. I didn’t want the tests to get out of control, so we didn’t test roasting or anything that the lid height would have come into play. I don’t think a rotisserie is in the future for this grill with this lid system at least, but as far as it works for grilling and searing, it’s got it going on. If you’re wanting a rotisserie, I’d probably look at one of the others, since they’re made for that style of cooking more than the Primate.
I too wonder about this... Some days the wind blows and closing the grill would help expedite the cooking. But if you can't fit a splayed chicken in there when it's closed, that doesn't help at all.
Grilling a whole chicken is a no go
First time to your channel, I really enjoyed it and found it useful. Maybe just accessorize my 5 yr old Regal, add an infrared side burner, customize some drawer separators. Maybe a topic you could cover if you haven’t. Anyway, new subscriber here, good job.
I have a Great Outdoor Grill Company (no longer in business).30 yrs old. Rebilt manyy times. New burners, ceramic bricks. The best thing I ever bought for it is Grill Grates. Wouldn't it for any of the ones shown here.
It's hard to find grills like they made them 30 years ago.
Great job as always👏
Which grill had the pull out shelf for the LPG tank?
Great review without any brand favouritism
Thanks for watching and for taking time to leave a comment Mark. All the best!
@@TheBarbecueLab if only they was as cheap to buy here in the U.K. 🇬🇧
Nice video I have the Fire Magic Echelon and love it but when my wife realized the cost she crapped lol. Enjoy your channel
I haven’t ever cooked on a Fire Magic, but hopefully I’ll get a chance one of these days. Melissa agrees with your wife when I show her new grills I think we need, lol. We’re doing a lot more cooking off site, and I see a trailer in our future, but Melissa isn’t convinced yet. Thanks for watching!
FYI - we just ordered the Grilla and it took another like $300 off in promotions once we added it to the cart, bringing it down to like $800.
I love it when they run a good sale.
Did you have a promotion code?
@@TheRiddle20 no this was back around memorial Day right before they announced the mem day sale. We just happened to be shopping for it when they were already applying the discount even though they hadn't announced the sale yet.
Love my Napoleon Prestige Pro 500.
You didn't include a MHP grill in your test.
Thank you for this video. I'm on the market for a stainless Steel Grill/Griddle Combo. My wife passed last year ( Bless her Soul) So I'm alone but my 2 kids and grandkids visit every day, dang these little rascals. I'm thinking of the Napoleon 500 or 655 but do they have a Griddle plate for this? Thanks for your response in advance, and continue with your videos. You are helping people like us a lot. Kudos Oh BTW I'm 66 so not old but on medical retirement. Cancer and back and neck surgeries lol
Incredibly sorry for your loss
Charcoal Lump grilling is the best!!!
I love to find the grill with best rotisserie
I'm a huge BROIL KING FAN. WATCHING FROM BRANTFORD ONTARIO
Can you buy a rotisserie for the Grilla Primate? Not seeing one on their website.
I’m not sure that the Primate has a rotisserie, since the lid doesn’t have that much vertical space between the grate and the lid. I never ran into a problem with the lid being shorter, but granted I was testing grilling and searing, not roasting since the video was already a half hour long.
@@TheBarbecueLab Thanks
Lid height is huge minus on the Grilla in my opinion.
Great review. Moat of the others are either auto-generated, obviously biased, or both.
great video thanks
how easy are each to clean or change out drip bucket/tray?
That grilla is $999 for just the top. Can't see from the link where they sell the whole thing with the cabinet and griddle for $1100. The only one they have with a cabinet is $1900
Actually, right now Grilla Grills is running a 25% off sale, but the prices don't show up until you add them to the cart. The Primate with cart is coming up at $825! grillagrills.pxf.io/JzPe6e
@@TheBarbecueLab Nice! Thank you.
Today is 4/26/24 and your brush link did not work. Great content. Thanks.
I went from a Weber to a Napolean Prestige Pro 665...never going back to Weber...
Love my Weber Genesis with 9mm stainless grates!
Wondering which has the least amount of flare up.
Sounds like an interesting test.
@@TheBarbecueLab I like the charcoal basket on the napoleon so thinking about getting that grill. Also the side searing.
Would love to see this test performed, as my current grill (not tested here) gives me terrible flare ups and is the reason I’m looking to replace it.
Same here
my 2009 weber genisis is one big pile of rust.
Not that it was forgotten, but I think it would've been good to show the "special edition" Weber version that is available through Ace or smaller (read: not Lowe's or Home Depot) retailers. Those grills, like the SP-E-325, include 9mm stainless grates among other additional features for not much more, if at all, than the "standard" versions.
I'm confused in trying to figure out what the warranty actually is on the Napoleon. Some are saying "Lifetime b2b warranty" but online I'm seeing it advertised as only a 15 year warranty. And for the record I'm speaking of the model tested here, specifically, model # P500RSIBPSS-3
Here is my deal
WHY GAS/ propane
Might as well cook inside
Only wood or wood chips and coals
Now that is outdoor grilling
Just buy a Weber. Bulletproof reliability with no added frills
Whats the best sub $500 grill though?
Probably a $1,000 grill that you can find lightly used.
@thebarbecuelab i would really love to see you revisit the napoleon prestige 500 grill on the cook test. the fact that it didn't could evenly on the front burgers (and under cooked vs the back burners) was an instant no to me for this grill, even though on paper, it looks like a great choice. you mentioned that it was a windy day and that could have affected the result. i think it only fair to revisit the test on this grill and see if it produces the same results on a non windy day, or if it in fact cooks good and evenly. could be the difference between a purchase or a pass. Thanks
I have had a napoleon for 30 years and have been fighting the issue of uneven heat exactly as in the video. Heat was always lower on left side and worse in front corner. Very frustrating when cooking burgers or steaks and trying to get them all to cook evenly. Found myself constantly rotating positions to accommodate tor the issue and could not confidently guarantee the result. I used the warranty to get a new burner after the the first one finally corroded, and hoped it would maybe solve the issue. The uneven cooking was sill present. So, I now am looking for a new grill. I like all the features the new napoleon grill has, but very disappointed when the test showed it was the only one in the bunch with a heat distribution issue. To me quality of cooking ins KING. So -im still undecided- Would like to hear if others experienced the same problem.
@@anthonygatto3158 i did end up buying the napoleon prestige 500 (1500.00), and it DOES have uneven heating. i can't tell a difference from left to right, but i haven't cooked enough on it to say for sure. i almost think the right side is hotter, but am uncertain. HOWEVER, i am 100% certain, that just as in the test, the front is not as hot as the middle or back.
Very frustrating to spend t his kind of money on something i can't really cook on the front on. but, i'm now stuck with this for the next 15 to 20 years, so i'll kick myself for a long time at not getting a weber. but all the features (rear burner, rotisserie, side burner) really sold me on this. I also don't think the side sear burner is as amazing as many go on about. IMO.
Lighted bbq 🎉 sold
I hade simple Napoleon Rouge 525, for 3 years, i dold thr grill, inoven coking surface, that cadt iron hrades was garbsge, psrts fslling spart from them. Next eull be Weber.
Great comparison man
Thanks for the comment!
Which one won't become a rust bucket in Florida?
Broil King Regal 304 SS
Grill covers come with all of these?
I’m not sure that any of them come with covers in the box, but I’m not positive.
That would be great if they did...
what about the monument clearview?
I chatted with Monument about being a part of this video, but they didn't feel like it would have been a good fit for them, so they passed. I haven't worked with that unit myself, so I can't really comment much about it without any personal experience.
How easy to it is to give feral clean ?
I'm unfamiliar with a feral clean in this case, but cleaning isn't too difficult if you don't wait an entire grilling season to tidy things up.
Broil king best bang for your buck
No Broilmaster??
Didn't have on accessible for the test, but I'll see what I can do for next time.
I have been sent here to turn all of you from your wicked ways. Leave the gas grills alone. Cross over into the oasis of charcoal grilling. Your taste buds will thank you. Have a blessed day
NAPOLEAN WON ME OVER!
If a magnet sticks to the metal it is 400 series stainless and will rust. If it does not stick then it is 300 series stainless. The 300 series will rust after your greatgrand children use the grill for 20 years. Maybe.
I like bbq
Truer words can’t be said.
charcoal grills is better
Beware if you chose to buy from them .. They say they will ship within 24 hours .. It's been 6 days and they still haven't shipped my order and no one can tell me when it will be done either. They are all sorry but they can't help me.. I'm the one who's sorry
Sorry to hear that. Which brand are you having order troubles with?
Who’s “they?”
Some things they did Not test but are worth noting:
- Ease of cleanliness of the grill underneath the grates
- propane tank placement , operation and level meter
- how hot the top lids and sides of the grill get
- flare up fire levels.