HawthorneVillager.com

I have a Napoleon, and it will be my last. I love the grill, however I found out after the purchase it was built in CHINA! Also, while my warranty issues were handled well, I had a big issue when we moved. I purchased the grill set up for NG, and when we moved to the sticks this was no longer an option, we had propane at the new place. I knew you could buy the same grill for propane , so I looked in the manual and all the required parts to convert it were listed individually for propane. So after enlisting my gas fitter buddy for help, I call to order the parts. Customer service says they won't sell them to me, you can't do the job, your not licensed. I reply my gas fitter buddy will do the job and here is his licence number. The rep starts to get rude at this point, "Nope, he can't do it either, sell your NG grill and buy a propane model."

Well I'll send the grill to Barrie and you guys do it then, you build them there. "Nope, we don't do that here, actually they are brought in from china, buy a new grill" I ask why the parts are listed if they aren't available, (rep gets more rude) "Because, go buy a new grill" So I say ok, and hang up disappointed. After thinking about the situation for awhile and getting a little pissed off about the whole deal, I call back for a clearer explanation.

I get a different rep this time, I get the same reply but a different story. "The drip tray is a thicker steel and won't fit, go to the dealer and buy a new grill" I have the exploded view of the whole thing, and the parts breakdown, and there is no different part # for the drip tray. This rep is also pretty rude, talking to me like i am in grade 1 and now I know one or both of these reps is outright lying to me. If I had a $299.00 grill it wouldn't be a big deal, but I had spent a lot of time researching my purchase and by the time I got out the door, I was pushing 2 grand.

So again I give up and call my buddy and say no go. He says give me the phone number. 10 minutes later he calls and says the parts are on their way. BUT, instead of buying just the small part we needed, we had to buy the whole manifold which was quite a bit more money, but I was happy to have my baby working again. Apparently this 3rd rep was also rude and reluctant to sell parts, but enough badgering finally got the deal done. Over the course of the experience, it was clear Napoleon's only objective was to sell me a new grill.

I have a lot of years left in this grill, but the next one will be another brand.

what model napoleon do you have? I am surprised it is a China BBQ if you spent over $500 on it.
Matt

Yes, but not economically feasable to sell them in Canada.

Matt

It's a Mirage 700 series

The thing that tipped the scales in my purchase was the fact that Napoleon was Canadian and somewhat local. I didn't realize not all their grills are. If I had known, I would have bought Weber.

The website indicates if the model is made in North America. Generally, the popular Prestige models are made in Barrie.

This is basically my model, but the ends are black instead of grey and I did not get the powerful infra red side burner.

http://www.napoleongrills.com/Gourmet-grills/P450RSIB_gas_grill_barbecue.html

BBQ's galore can also tell you about the different grades of stainless steel. There is some test that if a magnet sticks to the stainless steel it is either a good grade or a bad grade of stainless.

The Napolean Legend models sold at Canadian Tire are not even mentioned on the Napolean website so it is hard to tell if they are made in Canada or not.

just went through this 2 weeks ago. Spent about 2 hours at bbqs galore looking at 2 Napoleon models and 2 Weber models. A couple of points to clarify from earlier postings: 1) The new model Webers have dials on the front same as Napoleon, also the new Weber models have burners arranged front to back - they took a beating from folks like Cactus Jack for their inability to provide suitable space for smoking. In fact the model I bought (I eventually went Weber) has a built in smoker box with it's own dedicated burner. I had a hard time deciding, I went in looking for a Napoleon (I had a Weber for 10 years - loved it except for the burner arrangement previously mentioned). After looking at both and reading through the manuals with the staff, I went back to Weber only because it had some cool features I wanted. I could have just as easily gone Napoleon. As people have said, you can't miss with either. Go to BBQs Galore and browse around - it's worth the trip.

It is very misleading, I emailed them about a deal at HD and was told it was an "Import Model". Why a company would mess with their name to save $$$ is beyond me. Another thing to look for is some are "assembled in Canada" but do not use Canadian parts.

I highly recommend bringing a magnet when BBQ shopping, if it sticks to the stainless steel, it ain't stainless steel and will not last.

Matt

Are you sure it is not OMC? Onward Manufacturing Company you are talking about? If so, they DO sell import models as well.
Only way to verify is to call them with a model number or look at the box. it will say made in canada at the bar code.

Matt

Last spring, after much deliberation, I purchased the Espresso coloured GENESIS barbecue with a stainless steel 7mm grill.

A 20% OFF deal a Lowes clinched the deal for me.

Actually, the thing looks more black than it shows in the photo.

_________________
For Home Inspection services call Andy Shaw at Halton Home Inspection Service. 905 876 4761

What a great contribution to the topic.

Hey Andy

Make sure you dont put it near the siding of the house

What the,

oh crap,

maybe that's what happened to my siding.

Those Webers sure have power to burn.

_________________
For Home Inspection services call Andy Shaw at Halton Home Inspection Service. 905 876 4761

Thanks everyone for your feedback! We just purchased a Napoleon BBQ P500RSIB, it was a bit over our budget but I think it's well worth it but I guess only time will tell

Very nice unit. That probably would have been the one I would have selected if I went with a Napolean again. Weber has made improvements since I bought as others have mentioned (burners front to back, controls at the front, etc.) making the decision tougher.

Let us know how the infra-red side burner works to sear the steaks. I'd still like to spend the $300 to get that feature. I find side burners useless for boiling water, etc. but that one will be good for boiling water as well I presume as long as you do not have it on high since it may be too hot for pots on high!