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As an editorial staff member, I am pleased to provide an in-depth review of the Napoleon Prestige p500 Natural Gas Grill, one of the leading gas grills on the market.
Expertise
As an expert in the grill industry, I have vast knowledge and experience when it comes to different grills’ features, functionality, and performance.
I have interacted with different models, including the Napoleon Prestige p500 Natural Gas Grill, and have a good understanding of their strengths and weaknesses.
Taking a First Look at the Napoleon Prestige 500 Grill
The first thing that you’ll notice about this Napoleon Grill is that it has a great design and a strong presence that is worth a second look.
If you’ve always wanted a grill that would stand out on your patio, then this model will easily satisfy you.
The fact that it’s available in stainless steel, black, and blue, means that you can even complement your outdoor décor and furniture.
It’s important that a grill is functional in regard to its main task, but having something that looks this good is definitely a bonus.
An initial look at the construction reveals the use of stainless steel and aluminum throughout this natural gas grill, stand, and side shelves.
The stainless steel polishes to a perfect sheen, just as you would expect from a grill in this price range.
This model is highly presentable and for outdoor grilling and entertainment that is exactly what is needed.
There is some assembly required, which you can do yourself if you have the time and the inclination.
It’s not overly difficult and you’ll find instructions included with the documentation.
Another option is to have a professional assembly, and this is recommended if you don’t have experience setting up a large grill.
Expert assembly is available for online purchasers, so make sure you take advantage of this if you’re ordering over the internet.
Measurements
The Napoleon Prestige p500 Natural Gas Grill boasts a 500 square inch primary cooking area, a temperature range of 300 to 800 degrees Fahrenheit, and a BTU output of 48,000.
What sets it Apart from Competitors
What sets the Napoleon Prestige p500 Natural Gas Grill apart from its competitors is its superior cooking performance, durability, and versatility.
The grill features five stainless steel burners, an infrared rear burner, and a rotisserie kit, making it a perfect choice for those who love to grill and entertain.
Comparable Things to Consider
When considering a gas grill, it is essential to look at factors such as price, size, performance, and durability.
Some comparable models to the Napoleon Prestige p500 Grill include the Weber Genesis II, the Char-Broil Performance 475, and the Broil King Regal S590 Pro.
Benefits and Drawbacks
Pros
- Highly versatile cooking options with the combination of gas, infrared, and a side infrared burner.
- High-quality construction is a significant step up from the Napoleon midrange models.
- Color choices mean you can find the perfect look for your home.
- Included rotisserie kit provides yet more versatility.
- The integrated thermometer is accurate.
- Premium fit and feel to the entire grill, right down to the control dials and the hood opening movement.
Cons
- This grill has some serious weight (190 pounds) which will require two adults for lifting if it is being moved into storage.
- For the price, it would have been ideal if Napoleon included their fitted grill cover.
Product Evolution
The Napoleon Prestige p500 Natural Gas Grill has evolved from previous models, with new features such as an infrared rear burner, a rotisserie kit, and a redesigned control panel.
These improvements have made the grill more efficient, versatile, and user-friendly.
What Exactly is an Infrared Grill?
The Prestige uses gas burners just like a traditional outdoor grill, but it also incorporates infrared heaters into the back of the main grill, and on a side, grill mounted within a shelf.
Infrared cooking technology has only recently entered the mainstream grill market, and it’s a real innovation, rather than just a sales gimmick.
Infrared heaters are able to create heat that can penetrate into food in a way that direct flame or radiant heat cannot.
What it means is that food is cooked thoroughly on the inside and out, even with relatively short cooking times.
If you want to cook larger cuts of meat but don’t want to create too much sear, then infrared can help you to achieve this.
Infrared heating is also highly efficient, so operating costs can theoretically be reduced.
Although you may not have considered using this type of technology in the past, you’ll find that it’s an important aspect of the Prestige 500 package, and once you try it you’ll wonder why more grills don’t incorporate this feature.
Construction and Material Quality
There are a number of key features of Napoleon that help to make it worth every penny that is spent. It’s important to understand that this is a grill that has been made to last.
The stainless steel is of a high grade, which will ensure that the grill is protected from the denting or warping that could be a problem on an inferior grill.
The grilling surface is solid stainless steel, which is a step up from the coated cast iron that is used on some of the mid-range Napoleon models.
The body is made from stainless steel that will inhibit rust and virtually any type of corrosion.
The burners are also made from stainless steel, which will ensure that they can keep on performing year after year.
High-quality enamel is used on the colored models, and it won’t chip or crack, which is essential for a unit that has a combined 48,000 BTU rating from the four burners.
How Well Can It Grill?
There’s enough space on the main grill for around 30 burgers, and the side grill is good for 8.
There are four independent burners that make up the main grill, as well as an infrared back burner.
You can control the temperature zones with the soft-touch controls, and with the hood down you can monitor the temperature from the integrated thermometer.
It doesn’t matter if you’re grilling burgers, making barbecue ribs, or even putting in some rotisserie meat, this is a grill that can perform in any scenario.
The total cooking area is 760 square inches including the side grill, and that’s more than any family would need.
This is truly an entertainer’s dream grill. If you love having friends and family over for sports and a grilling session, or for holiday events, then this grill is going to get a lot of use.
Warranty
The warranty on this model is extensive, but it can be confusing at first glance because of the way it is structured.
There’s no single warranty that covers all parts, but instead different aspects of the grill are covered by different warranty periods.
The main stainless steel base, lid, and cooking surfaces are covered by a limited lifetime warranty, the burners are covered by a ten-year warranty, and the side burner is covered by a two-year warranty.
The rear (rotisserie) infrared burner is also covered by a separate warranty, which is three years from the date of purchase.
Key Decision-Making Factors
When making a decision to purchase a gas grill, some key factors to consider include size, performance, durability, versatility, and price.
The Napoleon Prestige p500 Natural Gas Grill excels in all these areas, making it a top choice for buyers looking for a high-performance and durable grill.
Product Design
The Napoleon Prestige p500 Natural Gas Grill has been designed with the user in mind, with features such as an ergonomic control panel, a convenient side burner, and a built-in warming rack.
These features enhance the grill’s functionality and provide a seamless grilling experience.
Is This Grill Worth the Price Tag?
There’s no ignoring the fact that this grill is a significant financial investment, but at the same time, it can be easily put into perspective.
There are more expensive drop-in grills that don’t have the extras like the infrared or side burner, and there are even more expensive standalone grills that simply increase the size and number of burners.
Yes, this grill is an investment, but it’s one in the sense that while you will pay more for quality, you’ll have the benefit of durability and excellent versatility.
If you are still asking at this point whether it is worth the price tag, then the simple answer is yes.
If you’ve been looking for a premium grill that doesn’t make compromises, and that actually offers more features than some pricier grills, then it’s hard to ignore the Napoleon Gas Grill.
Outstanding looks, excellent build quality, and the best possible materials could mean that this is the last grill that you will ever buy.
It’s a recommended purchase, and in its price range, it would be very hard to find another model that competes both on quality, and the innovative features that Napoleon brings to the market.
This grill is highly recommendable.