Why I like the Napoleon Prestige (a comparison between different models)

Just like in the automobile world, BBQ companies make several lines of the same product. For example, Napoleon has Rogue, Prestige, Freestyle, Legend, and TravelQ barbecues, among others; all names that come from different series.

All grills that are in the same series have similar and different features to each other, and it is by looking at these more closely that we get an idea of ​​the reputation of the series as such.

If I tell you this, it's because I want to talk to you about one series in particular: the Prestige series from Napoléon. Of all the company's BBQ series, this one is at the top (it's not for nothing that many of the barbecues in this series are among our best sellers at BBQ Québec!).

Why choose a Prestige

One of the special features of Prestige BBQs is that although some parts come from China, the assembly is done in Canada. And here, be careful, even if there are Chinese parts in the equation, they come from the Napoleon factory in China, so the quality is always there, from one end of the BBQ to the other. The finish of the appliances is also at the top.

Otherwise, another aspect that, in my opinion, sets the Prestige apart from the Rogue or other brand grills, is the "casing", the "cooking box", of the Prestige BBQs themselves.

If you are a person who BBQs all year round, the Prestige are truly exceptional machines for you, because they maintain heat very well. Indeed, their double-walled tank is made of cast aluminum. There is therefore an air space between the walls, which creates an "insulation" around the firebox and which ensures that the barbecue is just as effective in summer as in winter.

Otherwise, in terms of the size of the barbecues, there are many choices. There are Prestige 500s, Prestige 665s, Prestige Pro 825s… Depending on what you are looking for and the number of people you want to cook for, you will clearly have no problem finding a grill of a size that suits you. (FYI, the number in the model name indicates the area of ​​the main cooking surface [the bottom grill] in square inches. The area of ​​the top grill and the grill above the side infrared burner are not included in this result.)

Common aspects

That said, what is important to note is that the interior of all Prestige models is the same. They all have 4 "gage" 16 304 stainless steel tube burners that are made to last a long time, store heat in abundance and are designed to be easy to clean.

They are really well "designed", because the holes are placed on top of the burners, so the heat rises in a stable and continuous way by hitting the stainless steel heat diffusers positioned in an upside down "v" above them. (A position which, by the way, allows the juices, fat, marinades and other things that drip from the food to vaporize when they come into contact with the diffusers and give even more flavor to the food.)

Unlike some BBQs, the heat diffusers in these units also cover the entire cooking surface, which helps with heat stability. In addition to this, the diffusers that are not directly above a burner are positioned slightly higher than the burner and are therefore in contact with the residual heat and not the direct heat of the burner, which further amplifies the uniformity of heat throughout the unit.

As for cleaning, simply remove the screws behind the burners to remove them and remove any cobwebs, grease, salt, ash or other material that may have come into contact with the burners.

Finally, the Prestige also all have a "pan" to collect the fat in the bottom of the BBQ, come with a rotisserie system (the motor and the rod) and doors on their trolley.

The distinct aspects

There are 3 Prestige models worth comparing, namely the "regular" Prestige, the Prestige Pro 500 and the Prestige Phantom.

The Prestige

First of all, you have 2 color choices with this model: black or steel. The BBQ enamel is guaranteed for life and will not scratch, even if you hang it with a metal object. There may, however, be a slight discoloration that occurs, but it will be about 1 tone and will take about 15/20 years before being visible. (That said, regardless of the color choice, the BBQ is made of stainless steel.)

Otherwise, this model is available with or without an infrared side and rear burner. If you are someone who has never used infrared and doesn't think you'll regret not having one on your BBQ after tasting a steak seared at 1800°F at your friend's house, you can do without it, but know that once you've tasted that, there's no going back.

The bottom grates are 7mm stainless steel and have a lifetime warranty. They are some of the best grates I have ever seen in my life, they really do a great job. Plus, you give them a good wash and they come out looking brand new again!

The top rack, on the other hand, is made of chrome steel, and is more of a "chicken rack" than a "warming rack" to me. Anything from chicken breasts to chicken thighs and the like, you put that on there at 400°F and you get a sick, fried chicken-like result. If you take good care of it, it can last a very, very, very long time, but if you're not one to clean often, you might want to upgrade to a stainless steel rack.

The buttons on the front also light up, but these are battery operated and their color choice is limited to blue and red.

The Prestige Pro 500

Personally, of the 3 models I'm talking about here, this is my favorite. What really sets it apart from the others is the interior lights it has. (If you're a guy like me, who often cooks at odd hours, you'll quickly appreciate this detail.) Yes, it has lights integrated into its lid; it's quite a game changer and it's only the Pro series that has them.

And, in terms of lighting, it doesn't just have that! It also has a motion sensor at the front that makes sure that all the lights turn on when you position yourself in front of it. There is also the Napoleon logo that can be displayed on the ground and the color of the front buttons that can be changed. Be careful, however, an electrical outlet is required for the lighting system to work.

As for the main grills of this BBQ, they are made of 9 mm stainless steel, which retains a little more heat than the 7 mm ones. They are really effective, so much so that you may sometimes hesitate between using them or the infrared zone to sear your hamburger patty, so much so that the large grills give a nice marking.

The top grill is pretty much the same as the Prestige, but it's made of stainless steel. It's super handy, especially if you want a grill you can keep for life.

Another feature of the Prestige Pro is a small accessory that is usually purchased separately, but which comes standard in this model, the wind deflector. If you cook in a windy place, like a field, for example, you will appreciate this addition, which "clips" to the back of the lid, because it prevents the wind from entering the BBQ; it sends it elsewhere and ensures that the temperature remains more stable in the appliance.

Also, I mentioned above that all Prestige models come with doors on their cart, that's true, but the inside of the doors is not made the same for all models. The inside of the "normal" Prestige is made of plastic, while that of the Prestige Pro is made of stainless steel. The cart of the latter is a little more complete too, there is a sliding shelf made to receive the propane tank, a beer opener and a container for the caps, hooks to hang the pliers, etc., and a shelf to store accessories. And, so that you can work with ease, the underside of the BBQ is also backlit.

The Prestige Phantom

The first thing you notice about the Phantom is its matte black color. It's a machine that is super beautiful, unique and available in "limited quantity" (I put it in quotes because I don't know if Napoleon will release more in the future). Since its release, I would say that it has been our biggest seller.

Speaking of its looks, I'll take this opportunity to tell you that this barbecue requires special attention when it comes to cleaning it. You want to use mild soap on it, nothing too strong so as not to damage it. A cover will also help you keep it looking good all the time (I speak from experience, it's really not a good idea to leave it in the blazing sun all year round!).

Other than that, its great feature is its grills. The main ones are reversible and made of cast stainless steel, which is really sick. If you install them with the hollow side up, you will allow the juices of your food to drip and vaporize slowly. The marking on your meats with this grill is just incredible, I tell you right now. And, you're lucky, the grill above the infrared burner is made the same way in the Phantom! (The grills can also be ordered, if you want to put them in your Prestige, so it's not too bad if you don't get that model.)

And… I saved the piece de resistance for last. THE hot rack on this model is its top rack (if you ever think about changing your top rack one day, this is the one you want; it even fits all Prestige models). What I really like about this rack is that it confirms that the top rack is used to cook a lot of things: chicken drumsticks (you hang them upside down on it and they come out juicy as can be, “OMG!”), stuffed peppers or tomatoes, fish steaks… it’s wonderful.

The important points

To conclude, I would like to put a little more emphasis on certain points.

The grids

One of the most important factors when choosing a BBQ is the grills. The 3 grill models I've shown you here all have different ones, so it may be that they tip your scale one way or the other. Especially since the Prestige grills all come with a lifetime warranty, so you don't want to have to change your grills after a few uses.

Infrared burners

As I said, you can choose to get a BBQ with or without an infrared side and rear burner. However, if you've ever tried infrared seared food (aka perfectly caramelized food with a fiery crust), it might be hard for you to go without it. In any case, however, the infrared burner can go up to 1800°F on all Prestige models.

The rear burner, on the other hand, is mostly appreciated by those who want to "broil" their food. To melt cheese on a pizza, a hamburger or a lasagna, for example, it is the best. Otherwise, if you like slow cooking on the rotisserie, it is also a "must". (What I advise you to do, in this case, is to remove the top grill of your BBQ and put a piece of wood on the grill of your BBQ to add a smoky taste to your food turning in the rotisserie basket. Mmm! )

And there you have it. That's pretty much what I had to say about these 3 fire BBQs. Just know that no matter which model you choose, they are all exceptional and you will be happy with them for years and years (you can even give them to your children later and they will be super happy to have a barbecue with which they have great memories at home).

Happy BBQ!