Napoleon Prestige 500 Natural Gas Grill Review

The Napoleon Prestige 500 Natural Gas Grill is a top choice for grilling enthusiasts who seek a high-quality, versatile, and durable outdoor cooking appliance. With its sleek design, powerful performance, and advanced features, this grill is designed to deliver exceptional results whether you're searing steaks, slow-cooking ribs, or roasting vegetables. In this review, I’ll cover the specifications, share my personal experience with the grill, and explore its benefits and use cases.

Specifications

The Napoleon Prestige 500 Natural Gas Grill is equipped with a range of features that make it a standout option for outdoor cooking:

• Material: High-grade stainless steel construction ensures resistance to rust and corrosion, even in harsh outdoor environments.
• Cooking Area: Offers a total cooking area of 760 square inches, including the main grilling surface and a warming rack, providing ample space for a variety of foods.
• Burners: Equipped with four main burners, a rear infrared burner, and a side infrared sizzle zone burner, delivering a total of 66,000 BTUs for versatile cooking.
• Ignition System: JETFIRE™ ignition system ensures quick and reliable start-ups, lighting each burner individually with a simple push of a button.
• Temperature Control: Accu-Probe™ temperature gauge allows for precise monitoring of the grill's temperature, ensuring perfect cooking results.
• Grill Grates: WAVE™ stainless steel cooking grids designed for even heat distribution and superior searing, while also being easy to clean.
• Storage: Features spacious side shelves, an integrated ice/marinade bucket, and a cutting board, providing convenient storage and preparation space.

Review and Personal Perspective

After using the Napoleon Prestige 500 Natural Gas Grill for several months, I can confidently say that it lives up to its reputation as a top-tier grilling machine. From the first time I fired it up, I was impressed by its performance, versatility, and ease of use.

Build Quality and Design

The first thing that caught my attention was the build quality. The stainless steel construction not only looks great but also feels incredibly durable. This grill is clearly built to last, and even after months of frequent use, it shows no signs of wear or rust. The solid construction gives me confidence that this grill will be a reliable companion for many grilling seasons to come.

Grilling Performance

When it comes to grilling, the Prestige 500 delivers consistent and even heat across the entire cooking surface. The four main burners provide ample power for searing, grilling, and roasting, while the rear infrared burner is perfect for rotisserie cooking. The side infrared burner, also known as the sizzle zone, is a standout feature that allows for intense searing, locking in the juices and flavors of the food.

One of the most impressive aspects of this grill is its versatility. I’ve used it to cook everything from burgers and steaks to whole chickens and ribs, and the results have always been excellent. The grill heats up quickly and maintains a consistent temperature, making it easy to achieve perfect cooking results every time.

Self Experience

Using the Napoleon Prestige 500 has been a game-changer for my outdoor cooking. As someone who loves to entertain, I’ve found that this grill is more than capable of handling large gatherings, thanks to its spacious cooking area and powerful burners.

Memorable Grilling Sessions

One of my favorite grilling experiences with the Prestige 500 was a family cookout where I decided to test the grill's versatility. I started by searing steaks on the sizzle zone burner, which created a perfect crust on the outside while keeping the inside tender and juicy. Next, I moved to the main grilling area to cook burgers, hot dogs, and vegetables. The even heat distribution across the cooking surface ensured that everything was cooked to perfection, with no hot or cold spots.

The rear infrared burner also came in handy when I decided to try my hand at rotisserie cooking. I mounted a whole chicken on the spit rod, and the rear burner provided the consistent heat needed to achieve a golden-brown, crispy skin while keeping the meat moist and flavorful. It was a hit with my family, and I’ve since used the rotisserie feature for other dishes, such as pork loin and lamb.

Ease of Cleaning

Cleaning the Prestige 500 is surprisingly easy, considering its size and power. The WAVE™ stainless steel cooking grids are easy to brush clean after each use, and the stainless steel surfaces wipe down quickly, keeping the grill looking as good as new. The integrated ice/marinade bucket is also a great feature, allowing me to keep marinades and beverages close at hand while grilling.

Benefits and Use Cases

The Napoleon Prestige 500 Natural Gas Grill is designed for grillers who demand performance, durability, and versatility. Here are some of the key benefits and use cases:

• Spacious Cooking Area: With 760 square inches of total cooking space, the Prestige 500 is ideal for cooking multiple items simultaneously, making it perfect for large family gatherings and parties.
• Versatile Cooking Options: The grill's four main burners, rear infrared burner, and side sizzle zone burner provide a wide range of cooking options, from searing and grilling to rotisserie cooking and slow roasting.
• Even Heat Distribution: The WAVE™ stainless steel cooking grids ensure even heat distribution across the cooking surface, which is essential for consistently excellent results.
• Durability: The high-grade stainless steel construction is built to withstand the elements, ensuring that the grill remains in top condition even after years of use.
• Convenient Features: The integrated ice/marinade bucket, cutting board, and spacious side shelves make food preparation and storage easy, enhancing the overall grilling experience.

5 Pros and 2 Cons

Pros:

• Ample Cooking Space: The large cooking area allows for grilling multiple items at once, making it perfect for entertaining.
• Powerful Burners: The combination of main burners, a rear infrared burner, and a side sizzle zone burner offers versatile cooking options.
• Durable Construction: The high-quality stainless steel build ensures longevity and resistance to rust and corrosion.
• Advanced Features: The grill includes features like the JETFIRE™ ignition system, Accu-Probe™ temperature gauge, and integrated storage solutions.
• Easy to Clean: The WAVE™ stainless steel cooking grids are easy to clean, and the grill’s design minimizes grease buildup.

Cons:

• Price: The Napoleon Prestige 500 is a premium grill, and its price reflects that. It may be a consideration for those on a budget.
• Assembly Time: While the assembly process is straightforward, it does take some time and effort to put the grill together.

Conclusion

The Napoleon Prestige 500 Natural Gas Grill is a fantastic choice for anyone who takes outdoor cooking seriously. Its combination of powerful burners, durable construction, and versatile cooking options make it a top-tier grill that can handle a wide range of grilling tasks with ease. Whether you're searing steaks, cooking rotisserie-style dishes, or grilling for a large crowd, the Prestige 500 delivers consistent, high-quality results that will impress even the most discerning grillers.

FAQ

Q1: Can the Napoleon Prestige 500 be converted to propane gas?

Yes, the Napoleon Prestige 500 can be converted to propane gas with the appropriate conversion kit, which is available separately.

Q2: How do you clean the WAVE™ stainless steel cooking grids?

The WAVE™ stainless steel cooking grids can be cleaned easily by brushing them with a grill brush while they are still warm. For a deeper clean, you can remove the grids and soak them in warm soapy water before scrubbing with a non-abrasive pad.

Q3: Does the grill come with a rotisserie kit?

Yes, the Napoleon Prestige 500 comes with a rotisserie kit, including a heavy-duty motor and spit rod, allowing you to cook rotisserie-style dishes right out of the box.

Q4: How does the JETFIRE™ ignition system work?

The JETFIRE™ ignition system uses a push-button to ignite each burner individually. It provides reliable start-ups with minimal effort, ensuring that the grill is ready to cook in seconds.

Q5: Is the grill suitable for use in all weather conditions?

The Napoleon Prestige 500 is constructed from high-grade stainless steel, which is resistant to rust and corrosion, making it suitable for outdoor use in various weather conditions. However, it’s recommended to use a grill cover when the grill is not in use to protect it further.

Q6: How long does it take to assemble the Napoleon Prestige 500?

Assembly time can vary, but it typically takes about 2-3 hours to assemble the grill, depending on your experience with assembling similar products.

Q7: What kind of warranty does the Napoleon Prestige 500 come with?

The Napoleon Prestige 500 typically comes with a limited lifetime warranty on specific parts and components. It’s advisable to check with the manufacturer or retailer for detailed warranty information.

Q8: Can the cooking grids be replaced if they wear out?

Yes, replacement WAVE™ stainless steel cooking grids are available for the Napoleon Prestige 500, ensuring that you can maintain the grill’s performance over time.

Q9: Is the grill easy to move around?

The Napoleon Prestige 500 features sturdy wheels, making it easy to move the grill around your outdoor space. The wheels can be locked to keep the grill in place during use.

Q10: Does the grill come with a cover?

The Napoleon Prestige 500 does not come with a cover, but a custom-fit cover is available for purchase separately to protect the grill from the elements.