Grilling is a summer activity that embodies the American tradition. A lot of people are looking forward to a healthy and tasty meal, not to mention the challenge and excitement involved in grilling. No matter how much fun it is, you can’t have a great grilling experience if you don’t own a grill of good quality. Lucky for you, you have plenty of options.
Napoleon and Weber are two of the most widely recognized companies that produce the best grills, and they don’t stop improving their products.
Because of that, there is always fierce competition between Napoleon Grills vs. Weber. Before buying your grill, you need to read this review. This article will provide you the information you need to make a well-informed buying decision.
Overview
Napoleon Grill
The name may resonate with somebody you are familiar with, and it does. The name Napoleon means engineered quality and advanced grilling performance. The brand started its history in Germany when a couple, Wolfgang and Ingrid Schroeter, formulated the idea. The couple then moved to Canada to establish the Wolf Street Ltd., which then became Napoleon Appliances with grills as one of its products.
Napoleon grills are dominating the market for budget-priced and mid-range grills, and its standing is the same as Weber. The popular models are in stainless steel and propane gas grills. It is also known for producing grills with high-end features.
Weber Grill
Weber is an icon among grill manufacturers. Its history dates back to 1951. The company is initially a metalwork corporation. It hit big time when it came up with the idea of making a kettle grill, which people used to for their outdoor cooking. Taking a cue from the market demands, they have introduced top-quality grills.
Since they produced the first grill, Weber has not stopped experimenting with its design and engineering. This is the reason why it has introduced grills with the latest technology. Its grills are top of the line and offered at a reasonable price. There are two popular series from Weber, Genesis, and Spirit.
The Difference
To know who is superior in this Napoleon Grill vs. Weber face-off, we took two models from each that have almost the same specifications. Here is our comparison.
Cooking Area
When it comes to the cooking area, the Napoleon grill has an expansive grilling area at 815 square inches; it means you can cook a barbecue for a large group of people. The Weber has a smaller cooking area, 513 square inches the most and enough to serve a small family function. The good thing about the smaller grill is you can keep an eye on the grill without shifting your eyes too much.
To compare Napoleon Grill vs. Weber, the devices both have a warming space designed to keep your cooked food warm. Some models can have side burners too, where you can cook sauces or other side dishes.
Heating Performance
One of the essential features of a grill that you need to know is its heating performance. If you don’t have much time to wait, then you need a nice grill that heats up fast. Since Napoleon has more cooking space, it has a higher heating capability at 74,000 BTU. This and the double-walled lid for the cooking area keeps the heat and maintains its consistency. Compared to its overall size, this grill maintains its efficiency by having a heat output of 43,500 BTU.
Structure
Napoleon grills are into aesthetics, and their grills look best complete with fantastic finishing. They are all made from stainless steel and are rust-proof. Because they are stainless steel, it can withstand the heat. What made it even prettier is the backlight at the knobs.
For Weber grills, durability is the name of the game. Its grills are known for sturdiness and toughness. It is also porcelain-enameled and corrosion-resistant; it has this sophisticated look around it. It comes with several hooks and enough space to store the items.
Cleaning
Napoleon and Weber’s grills are easy to clean. The former has a pan that collects the drippings while the latter has organized grease management that facilitates the cleaning task. The pan collects the waste while the Flavorizer bars can absorb the drippings and convert them into smoke.
Technologies and Innovations
The Napoleon grill has a JetFire ignition system that ignites its burners. It has a temperature gauge that tells you the current cooking temperature. Other innovations include the infrared side burners and the infrared rotisserie at its rear.
Weber has a well-known grilling system called the GS4. It also has the E2i igniters and the iGrill 3 technology that no other grill manufacturer has.
Pros & Cons
Napoleon Grill
Pros
- Wide cooking area
- The unique pattern on the cooking grid allows for smaller items to cook
- With backlit knobs
- Excellent electronic ignition
- Double-walled lid for maximum heat retention
- Handy shelves
- Real value for money
Cons
- Some parts are not made with stainless steel
- Different warranty on parts
Weber Grill
Pros
- It is a trusted brand
- Rich with features and technologies
- Enameled cast-iron exterior
- Expansive cooking area
- Infrared side burners for heating sauces
Cons
- Smaller warming rack
- Non-convertible to natural gas
Top 3 Best Napoleon Grills
1. Napoleon LEX 485 BBQ Grill
For those who are looking for a grill with a premium performance but without the expensive price tag, then this Napoleon LEX 485 BBQ Grill is perfect for you. It is your entry-level unit to the world of sophisticated grills without costing you an arm and a leg.
The key features that make this a top Napoleon Grill model. It includes the stainless-steel construction, which could only mean durability on its hood and cooking grids. Each of the grids has an output of 12,000 BTU. The burners are covered with stainless steel to protect them, and at the same time, it also facilitates the smooth transfer of heat.
All Napoleon grills have an ignition system called JETFIRE, which is an appropriate name because it ignites with just a click of the knob. Among low-end grills, this ignition system is the fastest and lights up individual burners.
Another signature feature is the i-GLOW backlit technology that adds aesthetics for an evening barbecue. This grill is open for enhancement as you can add accessories to enhance your grilling experience. If you want an authentic grill experience, you can buy the charcoal tray and transform this gas grill to charcoal grill.
2. Napoleon P500RSIBPSS-3 Stainless Steel Prestige 500 Propane Gas Grill
This is a high-quality Napoleon grill that is built to last and can cook food at high and even temperature. It has high-quality stainless-steel burners, heavy porcelain-coated cooking grates, and high-quality construction. The heart of this grill is stainless-steel burners that produce high heat throughout the cooking area. Its cooking grates create a unique wave pattern that provides excellent heat contact for even cooking.
The signature JETFIRE ignition system the brand is known for is present in this grill. Its electric spark shoots flame directly over the burners for a quick and reliable fire. You can count on its substantial component and superior engineering. If you are the type of buyer who is willing to sacrifice the looks for quality, we recommend this grill for you. Just make sure that you are ready to pay for the price.
3. Napoleon PRO665RSIBPSS-3 Prestige PRO 665 Propane Gas Grill
This is a high-end grill without the expensive price tag. The Napoleon Prestige PRO 665 Stainless Steel Grill offers the high-end features at a fairly reasonable price. It has a lovely design with sleek chrome accents and low-profile form. It is feature-packed and an ideal grill for professionals.
It is made with stainless steel on its body, hood, burners, and its grates. With such durable construction, it means that this grill is protected from rust, and it will hold up against elements. The most valuable feature of this grill is its five main grilling burners that have a heat output of 12,000 BTUs each that provides superior grilling performance.
And its features do not stop there; it also has two sear plates that are also made from stainless steel and sits above the burners. This location has a purpose; it prevents the drippings from going into the burner and facilitates even heating.
Compared to the side burner of other gas grills that is not quite adequate, the Napoleon Prestige PRO 665 Stainless Steel Grill has a Sizzle Zone, which is a powerful searing station. The infrared burners can reach up to 1,800 degrees, hot enough to create professional-style sear marks and yummy caramel crust.
This grill is equipped with a rotisserie burner and kit that adds versatility to your cooking. It comes through the rear infrared burner and designed to accommodate a rotisserie kit for a restaurant-quality roasted chicken. The heat output here is 18,000 BTUs. Other great features that are worth mentioning are the integrated smoking drawer and infrared lighting. Other than its great features, this grill has a price that is not as expensive as its competition.
Top 3 Best Weber Grills
1. Weber Genesis II E-330 3-Burner Propane Grill
This model is part of the Genesis II line that Weber has on their product lineup. It comes in two styles, and this one is in propane. You can choose from four colors, and all of them have an unrivaled performance. It is filled with features including the sear station and the side burner that can add dimension to your cooking experience.
The Weber Genesis II E-330 3-Burner Propane Grill is easy to fire up and has excellent heat distribution. With its enameled lid, you can have a smoky flavor every time you use this grill. The grease management system of this grill is a useful feature because it prevents flare ups.
We like the following features of this grill: the cover to protect the grill when not in use, the side burner for sauteing or simmering, and the app, iGrill 3 to monitor the temperature on your phone.
2. Weber Genesis II E-310 Natural Gas Grill
This natural gas grill is another model from the Weber Genesis II line and comes in a lovely black color and loaded with exciting features. It has the GS4 high-performing grilling technology, the cast-iron cooking grates that provide superior heat retention, stainless steel with porcelain enamel construction. The fuel gauge adds convenience because it lets you see the fuel in the tanks. It is also i-Grill 3 compatible for a perfectly grilled food.
Like other Genesis Grill, this model has three burners that produce high heat output and even distribution of heat throughout the large cooking surface. You will also like the porcelain-enameled lid that helps retain the heat for long hours and adds smoke to the cooked food for added flavor.
Since this grill is from Weber, expect it to have their latest technology, and this one has. It’s compatible with iGrill 3 apps and can be connected to your device. For those who don’t have the app, you can monitor the temperature on the thermometer on top of the grill. The Flavorizer bar is also present in this grill.
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3. Weber Spirit E-330 Liquid Propane Grill
The Weber Spirit E-330 Liquid Propane Grill has many appealing features, including the excellent build quality and the sear burner. This grill comes from the Weber Spirit line and is the top of its class with the side burner, providing enhanced grilling experience. It is a well-built grill with the cook box and the cover made from durable aluminum with porcelain enamel on essential parts like the shroud. It prevents rusting, fading, and peeling, plus it is easier to clean.
The electronic ignition system that this grill is equipped with provides convenience in lighting the grill. It has a fuel gauge so you can see the remaining in the tank. The propane tank has its storage cabinet for a clean and streamlined look of the whole grilling system.
What makes this model stand out is its performance. It can heat up to the desired temperature efficiently and distributes the heat evenly on the cooking surface. The Spirit E-330 has a grease management setup that makes it easy to clean.
Weber vs. Napoleon: Which to Buy?
In the competition between Napoleon Grill vs. Weber, both grills stand out pretty much the same when it comes to performance. Napoleon has great aesthetics while Weber is feature-rich, including the GS-4 grilling system.
Napoleon products are suited for people who are frequently hosting large barbecue parties. The cooking area here is unrivaled, and the burners can sustain the demands. The Weber grills, on the other hand, can also perform well but on a smaller scale. It provides additional flair to the grilling experience with the side smoker and sear station.
For home use and barbecue enthusiasts, we recommend the Weber Spirit E-330 Liquid Propane Grill. It has all the upgraded features and is perfect when hosting a backyard barbecue or everyday grilling.