I have to say I've seen many videos about these grills in the past week, and you have caught my attention with how you explained why you like this new grill. I look forward to the next review after using it.
I’ve owned the Weber summit grill station for a long time and the cabinet doors are just terrible. The brackets broke and the doors now sit on my deck . I wish they were better made cabinets . Weather sealed too. I hate all the dirt and mess that gets into it after a storm . Disappointed. Looking for a new grill now and thinking of trying a new company .
I really like how this grill looks. Considering to get it, my only concern how the finish would hold up over the yers. Especially interested on how the durability of this finish is compared to stainless steel
Just like cars or wall paint, anything with a matte finish could potentially show scratches faster than a shiny surface. They do mention a few places in the owner's manual that you should take extra care when cleaning it, making sure not to use anything abrasive. I've just been using water and a soft microfiber towel. I also keep it covered. So far, the finish still looks like new.
Thanks. I always kept it covered, and I replaced the knobs a few months before shooting the video. Weber grills hold up nice with reasonable care. I sold it a few days after that because I didn't need both grills.
I have the Napoleon grill. I replaced the standard stainless steel grates on the Napoleon with cast iron grates. I could never get the sear marks I was used to getting on the Weber it replaced. Other than that, I love the Napoleon. Cheers!!
How many burners did you have on? With my napoleon if only use 2 burners it’s harder to get a good sear. With 3 much better. The additional Btu’s help the whole thing heat up more.
Hello from Sweden! I have the exact same setup except my Napoleon is stainless version. I also bought stainless grillgrates and flavorizerbars to the Weber last year and took it to my summerhouse and I think it will last ten more years easily. The Prestige 500 is superior but was also much more expensive.
Weber makes excellent grills...no doubt! I was just ready to try something else, and this new Phantom series from Napoleon caught my eye. I've used it maybe 6 times so far, and I'm very impressed.
@@MrNiceguy259 yeah Napoleon definitely caught my eye. The Weber I just bought I got for lless than half the price of MSRP . Napoleon will definitely be my next. Everything your Napoleon grill is so unique
How's the cooking performance of the Napoleon vs Weber? I hear the Napoleon cooking performance is not that even and the back of the grill is significantly hotter than the front. Having this grill for a year now how's it going?
@donelias1981 It cooks great. The Weber had hot and cold spots also. I've never used a grill that doesn't, and the Napoleon has the same issue (to a point). It's definitely not bad, and it's easy to navigate.
Thanks for the review. Had the same exact model Weber - hated it the entire time I owned it. The Charbroil Infrared I had prior blew the Weber out of the park. But I'm between the Napoleon Phantom and the Napoleon Prestige Pro for a replacement. Pro is more $$$ obviously. Curious how you are liking the Phantom so far and how it holds up. I use my grill 4-5 times a week, all year long (live in Central Fl) so durability is a huge factor for me. Would love a follow up. Thanks again.
Since you use it so much and live in Florida getting the more expensive pro may be better in the long run. Check the specs like how they’re built, grate thickness, etc. Either way, when I cook on my prestige pro I can tell it’s in a new category from my old genesis.
I have had a the exact same Weber Genesys for 12 years and am about to upgrade. Has your Napoleon been reliable and problem free. Would you still recommend one over a Weber ?
I doubt I'll be posting an update until spring, but I can tell you that the grill is fantastic. I've used it at least 20 times so far, and there really isn't anything negative to say about it. Everything and cooks works great.
i've been trying to decide between these two model grills. on paper both are great grills that are similarly priced, but the napoleon has more features. BUT on a grilling test video i saw, the napoleon did cook evenly. 8 burgers on it spread across its grill, and the front ones didn't cook as fast as the back, and didn't get the sear marks (cause underdone) that the back ones did. all other 4 grills cooked evenly. Windy day was presented as a possible explanation, but its made me concerned, cause that would be a deal breaker for me. What is your (and anyone else's) experience with a napoleon prestige cooking evenly? i've also read that their customer service isn't good, so the lifetime warranty is meaningless, according to some. can anyone comment on their experiences please? Great comparison video! Thanks in advance for any help you (and anyone else) can offer.
I went from the genesis to the prestige pro. I think any grill will be a little hotter in the back. But the napoleon is definitely better than the genesis. I think of the front/back as two zones…hot and not as bad. You can rotate food as needed.
I bought mine in 2022 and they were very limited at that time still. I didn't build it until a year later in 2023. One thing I can't remember if I even seasoned the grates or even have to. I do spray oil on them. I might this year take them out and scrubbed them done and start again. Finally the snow has melted here in Ct and it's time to fire it up. The other issue I had with it is I'm connected to my gas meter and I might have a leak within it but having a hard time finding it with water and soap bubbles...lol Now saying all that I tried cooking wings and came out great. I tried cooking wings again with the rotisserie and the Napoleon basket but I failed. The spit kept falling out during the cooking but that was my fault. There's a little round piece that I forgot to install on it so the spit as it turns doesn't fall out of the hole. The infrared part is awesome but very small. I tried steaks several times but only can do 2 at a time. It's difficult to keep Turning them. As the fats melt down I'm concerned about the life of it. Over all I think I only used it about 10 times and hoping to use it more this year. I also have a Broil King pellet and a Weber charcoal grill so its hard to decide at times which one to use because honestly sometimes my freaking air fryer is the fastest cooking option I have...haha Now saying all that ill keep watching for more videos if you post them. Also most important at least for me buy a cover for it. The grill is so pretty but gets dirty real quick and can only clean it with soap and water.
Is there a recommended brush for the cast stainless grills? I read somewhere that brass bristles are preferred. Any recommendations? I just assembled my phantom last night.
I only ever use a Grill Rescue now. My wife and I both work in healthcare, and the stories of perforated esophagus, stomachs, and bowels from grill brush bristles aren't just marketing hype. They honestly do happen. Grill Rescues aren't cheap, but they're a lot cheaper than emergency surgery!
people have said that those cast stainless grates are a pain to maintain . If they were superior to the other grates, they would have included them in the prestige pro series.
Not sure why anyone would say they're hard to maintain. They don't rust, and a standard cleaning works like any other grate. I've actually found them to be easier to clean. The main advantage to them is the increased weight and thickness (mass) that holds more heat. I like them a lot.
@craig9069 The grates on the Napoleon are awesome. They obviously don't stay shiny and silver once you start using the grill, but they cook really well and aren't hard to clean. That heavy cast stainless will probably last forever
The generation of Weber before you had tube/small burner that ran between the burners to keep them lit; you only had to light the main. It was still the same crappy battery-in-a-button system and I replaced it 3-4 times. The bigger issue was that the burners were staged front to back instead of left to right. Good luck with the logistics of trying to keep hot-warm-cool zones and moving things around effectively. Engineering ass-hattery at it's best. Overall, Weber has seemingly cheapened things over the years, but at least they went back to left-to-right burner orientation. I've got just about 18 years on mine I give Weber credit for that - but I managed to burn a hole in my firebox (my fault and lucky it wasn't worse...). I can't revive it this time by just replacing the guts so I'm looking hard at Napolean.
My spirit has the left to right burners. I’ve had mine since 2014 only problem has been burners went out Weber sent me new ones free and gas line went bad easy fix. My igniters have worked for 10 plus years same ones that came with the grill. Stupid that Weber got away from that left to right burner design cause I really like mine.
Same here. Been having issues with their regulator on my Genesis. They keep failing after within a year. On my 3rd one. They refuse to cover it, so it's an out of pocket expense. Looking at Napoleon's now.
A new grill versus a ten year old is like comparing apples to oranges. Not a fair comparison. Both have their pros and cons. I like Napoleon's burner system and grates but the high price is hard to justify. Have owned Weber products for years and their customer service is second to none. It's all a matter of preference and price.
No doubt. It was more of a feature comparison rather than a competition. That being said, if you look at comparable (current) models from each brand, Napoleon isn't really priced higher. Can't go wrong with either brand. Happy grilling.
I have to say I've seen many videos about these grills in the past week, and you have caught my attention with how you explained why you like this new grill. I look forward to the next review after using it.
Thanks for the feedback! I'm glad you found the video helpful. It really is a great grill. I've been using it a lot this winter.
Great video! I know what my new gas grill is gonna be! Love the stainless cast iron & matte finish.
Any chance you could do a follow-up video?
I’ve owned the Weber summit grill station for a long time and the cabinet doors are just terrible. The brackets broke and the doors now sit on my deck . I wish they were better made cabinets . Weather sealed too. I hate all the dirt and mess that gets into it after a storm . Disappointed. Looking for a new grill now and thinking of trying a new company .
awesome video !!
I also have the Phantom Prestige and I LOVE IT !!!
Thanks! Yeah, I'm really enjoying mine!
I really like how this grill looks. Considering to get it, my only concern how the finish would hold up over the yers. Especially interested on how the durability of this finish is compared to stainless steel
Just like cars or wall paint, anything with a matte finish could potentially show scratches faster than a shiny surface. They do mention a few places in the owner's manual that you should take extra care when cleaning it, making sure not to use anything abrasive. I've just been using water and a soft microfiber towel. I also keep it covered. So far, the finish still looks like new.
dude your weber looks fantastic for 10 years
Thanks. I always kept it covered, and I replaced the knobs a few months before shooting the video. Weber grills hold up nice with reasonable care. I sold it a few days after that because I didn't need both grills.
Cheers. New subscriber here from BRANTFORD ONTARIO. That Napoleon was made in Barrie Ontario.
I have the Napoleon grill. I replaced the standard stainless steel grates on the Napoleon with cast iron grates. I could never get the sear marks I was used to getting on the Weber it replaced. Other than that, I love the Napoleon. Cheers!!
something is up then, especially bc the napoleon has more btu
How many burners did you have on? With my napoleon if only use 2 burners it’s harder to get a good sear. With 3 much better. The additional Btu’s help the whole thing heat up more.
Hello from Sweden! I have the exact same setup except my Napoleon is stainless version. I also bought stainless grillgrates and flavorizerbars to the Weber last year and took it to my summerhouse and I think it will last ten more years easily. The Prestige 500 is superior but was also much more expensive.
Man I would love that Napoleon its a beautiful grill. Its Like a classic car. I have a few Webers none have done me wrong.
Weber makes excellent grills...no doubt! I was just ready to try something else, and this new Phantom series from Napoleon caught my eye. I've used it maybe 6 times so far, and I'm very impressed.
@@MrNiceguy259 yeah Napoleon definitely caught my eye. The Weber I just bought I got for lless than half the price of MSRP . Napoleon will definitely be my next. Everything your Napoleon grill is so unique
How's the cooking performance of the Napoleon vs Weber? I hear the Napoleon cooking performance is not that even and the back of the grill is significantly hotter than the front. Having this grill for a year now how's it going?
@donelias1981 It cooks great. The Weber had hot and cold spots also. I've never used a grill that doesn't, and the Napoleon has the same issue (to a point). It's definitely not bad, and it's easy to navigate.
Great video. Thanks 👍
Thanks for the review. Had the same exact model Weber - hated it the entire time I owned it. The Charbroil Infrared I had prior blew the Weber out of the park. But I'm between the Napoleon Phantom and the Napoleon Prestige Pro for a replacement. Pro is more $$$ obviously. Curious how you are liking the Phantom so far and how it holds up. I use my grill 4-5 times a week, all year long (live in Central Fl) so durability is a huge factor for me. Would love a follow up. Thanks again.
Since you use it so much and live in Florida getting the more expensive pro may be better in the long run. Check the specs like how they’re built, grate thickness, etc. Either way, when I cook on my prestige pro I can tell it’s in a new category from my old genesis.
I have had a the exact same Weber Genesys for 12 years and am about to upgrade. Has your Napoleon been reliable and problem free. Would you still recommend one over a Weber ?
I've only had it for about a year now, but it's been great. Problem free. Yes, I'd still definitely recommend it.
Thanks for this info ;)
Can we get an update video dads thinking of buying it
I doubt I'll be posting an update until spring, but I can tell you that the grill is fantastic. I've used it at least 20 times so far, and there really isn't anything negative to say about it. Everything and cooks works great.
i've been trying to decide between these two model grills. on paper both are great grills that are similarly priced, but the napoleon has more features. BUT on a grilling test video i saw, the napoleon did cook evenly. 8 burgers on it spread across its grill, and the front ones didn't cook as fast as the back, and didn't get the sear marks (cause underdone) that the back ones did. all other 4 grills cooked evenly. Windy day was presented as a possible explanation, but its made me concerned, cause that would be a deal breaker for me. What is your (and anyone else's) experience with a napoleon prestige cooking evenly? i've also read that their customer service isn't good, so the lifetime warranty is meaningless, according to some. can anyone comment on their experiences please? Great comparison video! Thanks in advance for any help you (and anyone else) can offer.
I went from the genesis to the prestige pro. I think any grill will be a little hotter in the back. But the napoleon is definitely better than the genesis. I think of the front/back as two zones…hot and not as bad. You can rotate food as needed.
I bought mine in 2022 and they were very limited at that time still. I didn't build it until a year later in 2023. One thing I can't remember if I even seasoned the grates or even have to. I do spray oil on them. I might this year take them out and scrubbed them done and start again. Finally the snow has melted here in Ct and it's time to fire it up. The other issue I had with it is I'm connected to my gas meter and I might have a leak within it but having a hard time finding it with water and soap bubbles...lol Now saying all that I tried cooking wings and came out great. I tried cooking wings again with the rotisserie and the Napoleon basket but I failed. The spit kept falling out during the cooking but that was my fault. There's a little round piece that I forgot to install on it so the spit as it turns doesn't fall out of the hole. The infrared part is awesome but very small. I tried steaks several times but only can do 2 at a time. It's difficult to keep Turning them. As the fats melt down I'm concerned about the life of it. Over all I think I only used it about 10 times and hoping to use it more this year. I also have a Broil King pellet and a Weber charcoal grill so its hard to decide at times which one to use because honestly sometimes my freaking air fryer is the fastest cooking option I have...haha Now saying all that ill keep watching for more videos if you post them. Also most important at least for me buy a cover for it. The grill is so pretty but gets dirty real quick and can only clean it with soap and water.
Napoleonrules 3:57
Is there a recommended brush for the cast stainless grills? I read somewhere that brass bristles are preferred. Any recommendations? I just assembled my phantom last night.
I only ever use a Grill Rescue now. My wife and I both work in healthcare, and the stories of perforated esophagus, stomachs, and bowels from grill brush bristles aren't just marketing hype. They honestly do happen. Grill Rescues aren't cheap, but they're a lot cheaper than emergency surgery!
people have said that those cast stainless grates are a pain to maintain . If they were superior to the other grates, they would have included them in the prestige pro series.
Not sure why anyone would say they're hard to maintain. They don't rust, and a standard cleaning works like any other grate. I've actually found them to be easier to clean. The main advantage to them is the increased weight and thickness (mass) that holds more heat. I like them a lot.
Sweet looking grill! How much did you pay for this? Great in-depth video! Can't wait for the next review on this grill.
They're currently running about $1,999, but I got mine on a good sale for around $1,700. Just used it again today...still loving it!
I'm really torn between these models, how's those grates holding up on the napoleon?
@craig9069 The grates on the Napoleon are awesome. They obviously don't stay shiny and silver once you start using the grill, but they cook really well and aren't hard to clean. That heavy cast stainless will probably last forever
The generation of Weber before you had tube/small burner that ran between the burners to keep them lit; you only had to light the main. It was still the same crappy battery-in-a-button system and I replaced it 3-4 times. The bigger issue was that the burners were staged front to back instead of left to right. Good luck with the logistics of trying to keep hot-warm-cool zones and moving things around effectively. Engineering ass-hattery at it's best. Overall, Weber has seemingly cheapened things over the years, but at least they went back to left-to-right burner orientation. I've got just about 18 years on mine I give Weber credit for that - but I managed to burn a hole in my firebox (my fault and lucky it wasn't worse...). I can't revive it this time by just replacing the guts so I'm looking hard at Napolean.
My spirit has the left to right burners. I’ve had mine since 2014 only problem has been burners went out Weber sent me new ones free and gas line went bad easy fix. My igniters have worked for 10 plus years same ones that came with the grill. Stupid that Weber got away from that left to right burner design cause I really like mine.
What is the maintenance and care like for the matte black finish?
@isuguy82 It's not bad at all. I keep it covered, and any cleaning is done with a microfiber.
@@MrNiceguy259 thank you!
Weber not backing their product for me, so will be going to Napolean. Reached out to Weber, they don't care.
Same here. Been having issues with their regulator on my Genesis. They keep failing after within a year. On my 3rd one. They refuse to cover it, so it's an out of pocket expense. Looking at Napoleon's now.
How is it holding up?
@Renatiux84 really well...no issues.
people getting teary-eyed over a grill being over 1k is hilarious. If you want a lifetime grill, it's gonna cost you around 5k
A new grill versus a ten year old is like comparing apples to oranges. Not a fair comparison. Both have their pros and cons. I like Napoleon's burner system and grates but the high price is hard to justify. Have owned Weber products for years and their customer service is second to none. It's all a matter of preference and price.
No doubt. It was more of a feature comparison rather than a competition. That being said, if you look at comparable (current) models from each brand, Napoleon isn't really priced higher. Can't go wrong with either brand. Happy grilling.