sunny&geeta wrote:
Getting back to the original question... Napoleon vs Weber BBQs.
So thanks to the kind folks at BBQ galore and some other shops here's the consensus.
Napoloeon.
3 reasons (based on the Napoleon P500 vs Weber Genesis CEP 310):
- Napoleon finally increased the size of their main cooking rack to 500 sq inches, Weber is 504
- Weber this year is now using 400 grade stainless steel for their searing plates while Napoleon is using 304 grade stainless steel.
- one of the best warranties in the business. 10 years for burners and parts. After that it is a 50/50 split on costs from years 11 to 25.
400 vs 304 is that magnetic test people spoke about on this forum. If the magnet sticks it is using 400 grade.
Another reason and I may be biased here but I like the charcoal accessory tray that you can insert into the Napoleon, pretty neat. I also like the LIFT Ease Roll Top lid, saves space when opening the grill and also some of the heat stays since half the grill is under the lid.
The sales associates for the most part said that for the past 15 or so years they would've said Weber since it had more main rack total cooking space and everything else being equal. This year they will feel Napoleon truly has caught up and gone a bit beyond.
Both are great BBQs, I have neither as I am in the market for one so I guess whatever is on sale first, I'll end up getting that one but all things being equal - Napoleon is probably the one I would select.
I bought a Napoleon Prestige P450 in 2009, and this item will be in service for quite some time I can tell you. Couldn't be happier with it, very well built, 694sq in grill. The magnet test works on almost every surface of mine, inside and out, except the handle bar and thinner vent panel on the face above the doors. Maybe it's all "the good steel" you mention. Weighs a fricken TON, man. In almost every major wind event we have, a neighbour's $80 BBQ blows all over the place. With this thing, no such problem!
I had a similar conversation you had with the BBQ Galore dude (Burlington), with me just fishing around for reasons why I may NOT want to go for the domestic item. Net result: very happy with the Nap, do not regret leaving the Weber.
Also, I bought the charcoal tray, and have enjoyed using it maybe once a month in good weather. It is not really the same as a proper coal grill, you know (Weber seems to pretty much own that segment, BTW). The one drawback with it is that it's a bit messy, especially on a breezy day. You must clean it as soon as it's cool, to keep the ash down. Also, because ash may fall down from this tray, through your burner on its way to the cleanout tray, I think it may be responsible for more-frequent burner cleaning, not certain about that tho.
Thanks for making me think about grilling in 25C, I'm oh so happy now....
