Napoleon Prestige 500 vs Weber Genesis E-435


 
John K BBQ

John K BBQ

TVWBB Wizard
I haven't posted much lately and hope everyone here is doing well. I'm looking for educated opinions on Napoleon Prestige 500 vs Weber Genesis E-435. I have an old Weber genesis, 3 burner, which is getting close to 15 years old. Still works OK, but I'm looking to upgrade (sorry, not interested in hunting down a restored Genesis, although they are pretty cool). I'm still using my charcoal, but will probably lean more on the gas grill for weeknights since my work life just keeps getting busier, and wifey wants something easier to use and intends to start grilling once in a while.

I'm leaning towards the Napoleon, because I think the quality vs Weber is about the same, and it comes with a Rotisserie set up for a similar price point. I think the Napoleon will be around $1500, and the Genesis is around $1400. I think the Napoleon has a stronger warranty. The ignition systems are different, it looks like Weber still has the battery powered button, with a spark rod on each burner. The Napoleon has a mechanical spark rod on each burner, which also lights a pilot for all other burners (no battery required). The Napoleon needs a battery, but it's only to light up the burner knobs.

Does anyone have any opinions on which grill is the better of the two? Better yet, does anyone own a newer Napoleon Prestige grill?

www.napoleon.com

Prestige 500 RSIB - P500RSIBPK-3 | Napoleon

The Napoleon Prestige® 500 Propane Gas Grill with Infrared Side and Rear Burners is the total grilling package; with a stunning porcelain enamel black hood and stainless steel construction, this cart ...
www.napoleon.com www.napoleon.com

www.weber.com

GENESIS E-435 Gas Grill (Liquid Propane) | Genesis Series | Gas Grills | Weber Grills

Introducing the newly designed GENESIS gas grill - the biggest grilling innovation in decades, that creates a full backyard culinary experience. Grill, bake, and even stir-fry on the newly designed GENESIS gas grill. Its WEBER CRAFTED Outdoor Kitchen Collection compatibility provides limitless...
www.weber.com www.weber.com
 
I’ve never used a Napoleon, but it’s strikingly similar to of all things, an SP310, including the caster design. Which are absolute garbage. So if you plan on rolling it in or out of garage or cooking area, I’d be weary of those. Cheap enough to upgrade though.

That’s all I have to contribute.
 
I've seen both in person. Gimme the Napoleon all day every day over the Weber. Features and quality all better. If I had $1500 burning a hole in my pocket and wanted a new gasser it's where I'd be pulling out my checkbook.
Of course now? I'm all about the wood :D
 
My friend has a Napolean built in that I've cooked on several times and it seems very well built to me. My only complaint is the wavy (not sure that's a word) grill grates. They are a very nice quality and very thick I just don't understand why they made them wavy. It's kind of hard to clean, I mean it's not a deal breaker, it's just kind of weird. But other than that I would buy one. I too am coming up on 15 years with my Summit and am looking very hard at the Napolean.
 
Seems parts for Napoleon are as readily available as Weber parts. I haven't taken a close look at the current line of Webers that dropped the Genesis II moniker but I know my 2020 or so Genesis II E-325 is as well built, arguably better built and designed than previous Webers I've owned dating back to 1995 or so. The GS4 burner system is superior to older tube burners as is the ignition system. The cabinets have a superior design that allows better air flow and water/moisture drainage. The Weber Sear burner design is a great feature simply unavailable in older Webers. That Napoleon looks quite nice and the LED lights look like a cool feature. I agree with the comment about those wavy grates though...why?
 
Ryan T. said:
My friend has a Napolean built in that I've cooked on several times and it seems very well built to me. My only complaint is the wavy (not sure that's a word) grill grates. They are a very nice quality and very thick I just don't understand why they made them wavy. It's kind of hard to clean, I mean it's not a deal breaker, it's just kind of weird. But other than that I would buy one. I too am coming up on 15 years with my Summit and am looking very hard at the Napolean.
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That’s a very good point from a cleaning perspective. I wonder what their maintenance documentation says regarding “how to properly clean them”.
 
John-NY said:
That’s a very good point from a cleaning perspective. I wonder what their maintenance documentation says regarding “how to properly clean them”.
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I salvaged a couple of sets of the wavy grids from Napoleon grills.

They were heavy non magnetic stainless probably 9mm. I didn’t have any issues cleaning them. No different from Weber Summit 9mm. I cleaned them on a work table not on the Napoleon for the record

I cut them down for a Genesis 13 bar customer who was doing a rebuild

1722436085122.jpeg
 
I doubt it's much of a headache. If you look at their literature, they outline specifically why they use them
 
LMichaels said:
I've seen both in person. Gimme the Napoleon all day every day over the Weber. Features and quality all better. If I had $1500 burning a hole in my pocket and wanted a new gasser it's where I'd be pulling out my checkbook.
Of course now? I'm all about the wood :D
Click to expand...

Ditto. I looked at the newer 2023-2024 Genesis 'tech' models and was appalled by the thin cook-box and sheet metal, and made in China. The door 'handles' are simply folded sheet metal, hood liners were reduced or eliminated, etc. It seems BDT is merely riding the old "Weber" name at this point. The new tech models simply do not justify the prices being demanded. Look at other options for a gasser: Napoleon, BroilMaster, etc.

IMO, the Genesis II marks the end of the line for Genesis legacy as a whole. Genesis II are okay, but I wouldn't touch the new tech 2023+ models.
 
I really do like my Napoleon Prestige 500 RSIB as it has everything I wanted in a gas grill. Nice height, thick 304 SS grates (just as easy to clean as strait ones), 4 burners, IR side burner, rotisserie and dedicated burner with the rotisserie rod high enough that you can use the grates while spinning chickens, cast aluminum firebox, jet-fire push ignition on each burner, heavy duty cross overs between burners, not made in China, foldable right shelf (both come off easy for cleaning and moving). 2020 models and later have bumper to bumper warranty I believe (mine is a 2017).

I got mine about 3 years ago for $300 in pretty bad shape and tore it down and restored it. The only part that needed replacing at that time was the drip tray that had lots of pin holes after cleaning. It is the grill's only weak spot to me, as it should be 304 or porcelain like the Weber. Napoleon sent me a new one for $70 with a free 3 pack of liners that I thought was nice. Last year when cleaning I noticed that one of the burners was rusting out and called napoleon, after sending pics they sent me a whole new set free as I guess those are either 10 year or life warranty.

After restoring, trying, and flipping over 150 grills this one is my keeper. Before this it was my Weber Q320 which is a fantastic grill, but sort of in a different class. I am a member of the FB Napoleon group and most everyone is quite positive about their grills. I can highly recommend it.
Before After
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Joe, that’s nice restoration work on the Napoleon.

I was wondering if you brought new which would have surprised me since you have posted many good looking grill rebuilds over the years.

The shrouded hood is a nice feature that the Genesis doesn’t have
 
Thanks to everyone for sharing what they know about these grills. I was sort of leaning towards Napoleon before I made the post, now probably leaning a little harder in that direction since most if not all comments on that grill are positive. We have a couple of non-chain retailers for that grill in St Louis so will be watching for labor day sales (coming up soon) to see if I can save a little $$$ or get a free grill cover or some such "deal".
 
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