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The Pros, the Cons, and the Facts about the Napoleon Grills Prestige 500 Built-In Gas Grill.

If there’s anything to be said about Napoleon Grills, it’s that they know how to make grilling a heck of a lot easier.  Providing innovative accessories and useful features that you will actually want to use, all jam-packed into their affordable grills, they’re exactly what you have been looking for.
This especially applies to the Napoleon Prestige 500 model built-in gas grill.  It even beats out older Napoleon models thanks to improved lighting and a more modern appearance.  Overall, the Prestige 500 is a reliable grill that is engineered for quality at an economical price.

Product Name: Napoleon Grills Built-In Prestige 500 Natural Gas Grill

Made By: Napoleon Grills

Top 3 Features:

  • Jetfire ignition system for a quick startup
  • Slow roasting via the rear infrared rotisserie burner
  • Stainless steel sear plates to provide the perfect sear and flavor

Standout Benefits Of The Napoleon Grills Prestige 500

Napoleon Prestige Grills are at the top of their game, without cutting any corners, and it shows with this grill.  There’s a lot to love about this quality cooker, and most will agree that the Prestige 500 doesn’t cheat grillers out on a plethora of options that can take this grill to an even higher level.

Another thing to love about the Prestige 500 is the solid heat distribution allowing you to cook your food evenly throughout.  This can really be a game changer on your next cookout.

Other benefits we like are…

The Napoleon Prestige Offers More Accurate Temperature Readouts With Its Accu-Probe Temperature Gauge

Compared to most hood grills I’ve reviewed in the past, Napoleon grills that are equipped with their Accu-Probe temperature gauge are by far more accurate in temperature readings than other grills on the market.

As you’re probably aware, the majority of grills get a bad rep for poor temperature readings, but I can confirm that Napoleon Grills’ Prestige 500 gas grill is one of the most accurate as it gets.  Other Napoleon grill users have noted the same thing.

Regardless of its accuracy, I still recommend investing in a good wireless probe thermometer that will let you know the temperature of the grill exactly where your meat is cooking as well as the temperature of your meat.

You Have A Charcoal Cooking Option If You Opt For Napoleon’s Cast Iron Charcoal Tray

Now, this is really cool…

The option to cook with charcoal in a gas grill is fairly rare.  In fact, grills that offer a feature like this often cost up to several times as much as the Napoleon Prestige 500.  So, that said, it is pretty awesome to have the potential to grill with charcoal with the Napoleon Prestige 500 and it is quite affordable compared to competitors.

Before getting deeper into this benefit, I should note that that charcoal tray is not included with the initial purchase of this grill; it must be bought separately as an add-on.  There is even an option for adding on a Stainless Steel Smoker Tube that will really take your wood smoked flavor up a notch.

Another thing that I liked about the charcoal tray is that it also offers a wood chip section in the same tray, giving you even more options to cook with the flavors you want.  Versatility is key in any grill and as I mentioned already, and the Prestige is loaded with it.

The Reversible Porcelain Cast Iron Cooking Grates Feature Napoleon’s Innovative Wave Design

Being 7 millimeters thick and offering a unique wave design, you can ensure thinner items such as vegetables won’t be easy to slip through the cracks of the Prestige 500’s cooking grates, making things convenient on the griller’s end.

The wave design is also important in that meats will receive more contact with the grates, and in turn, allowing cooking to be more even throughout.  And of course, when it comes to aesthetics, the wavy pattern of the grates produces signature sear marls that are incredibly attractive and different.

The Napoleon Prestige 500 Grill Is Made Of High-Quality Materials.

One of the most notable and recognized benefits of the Prestige 500 is the fact that it is constructed almost entirely of high quality 304 stainless steel.  All parts and accessories are built to be durable.  This is one tough grill and is backed by a strong warranty to boot.

The Napoleon Prestige 500 is also equipped with a double-walled “lift-ease” lid for both durability purposes and for ensuring heat stays within the grill head itself during a grilling session.  Best of all, the lid has great ergonomics considering it’s lightweight and has a roll top that adds almost no depth to the back so you can place this grill almost anywhere.

Using Napoleon Prestige Grills

The automatic ignition of the Prestige 500 offers instant, reliable lighting that’s quite straightforward.  Simply open the grill lid, and push and twist the main burner knob to ‘high’ until it successfully lights.

Lighting the rear infrared burner is just as easy.  Open the grill lid, remove the warming rack, and turn the rear burner to ‘high’ until it lights, or light the burner via a long-handled lighter.

For those new to gas grilling, do keep in mind that gas grills that are lit for the first time may release an odor. This is temporary.

Napoleon Prestige 500 Description And Features

We’ve already covered some of the benefits that come along with the Napoleon Prestige, but now let’s talk about some of the stand out features to get excited about.

Napoleon Grills Prestige 500 At A Glance

  • 760 square inches of total cooking space
  • Natural gas or propane option
  • Stainless steel construction
  • 4 stainless steel main burners
  • 1 infrared burner
  • Easy Set Control Knobs
  • Rotisserie kit
  • Roll top BBQ lid that’s double-walled
  • Up to 66,000 BTUs
  • 28” x 18” cooking grate (room for up to 20, 4” burgers)
  • 21” x 31” x 24”
  • 105 lbs

Infrared Burner That Kicks Out 18,000 BTUs

The infrared “sizzle-zone” burner of the Napoleon Grills Prestige offers up to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit of heat to sear meats beautifully.  This burner even doubles up as a traditional side burner, allowing you to turn down the heat if you wish to cook or warm up sides, sauces, and so on.

The adjustability of the rear burner’s grates means you can lower them down if you wish to cook with pots and pans.  While not all grillers will give this method of cooking a go on their grill, it’s a nice option to have regardless.

Jetfire Ignition System

The fast, automatic ignition is a nice bonus on this grill. Equipped with the reliable Jetfire ignition system, the Napoleon Prestige 500 ensures safe lighting and is sure to ignite right the first time around, even years down the road.

As mentioned previously, this Napoleon model has a greater and more reliable ignition than older models they’ve offered in the past.

Stainless Steel Sear Plates

To help reduce flare-ups, distribute heat more evenly across the grilling grates, and to vaporize any drippings to amp up the flavor of your meats, the Napoleon Prestige 500 grill is equipped with dual level, high-quality stainless-steel sear plates.

They also help protect and prolong the life of the burners.  They make a big difference when it comes to flavor.

Heavy Duty Rotisserie Kit

It’s worth pointing out that a rotisserie kit is included along with the purchase of the Napoleon Prestige 500.

Most grills make this an accessory that must be purchased separately, which can be a pretty pricey add-on if you don’t have much extra in your wallet.

Who Is The Napoleon Grills Built-In Prestige 500 Natural Gas Grill For?

Those who prefer a grill that is made in North America will love that Napoleon grills are constructed in Canada.  This means there is a better quality of materials, trust, and better construction with their grills.  Many grills today are made in China and offer lower grade materials.

The Napoleon Prestige is also for someone who doesn’t want to overspend yet still wants a plethora of neat features from easy automatic ignition to the ability to cook with an infrared burner.  Even the versatility to cook with either gas, charcoal and wood chips is a fine option.

Based on the latter point of being able to cook in a plethora of manners, this grill is for those who love to explore a variety of cooking options or for new grillers who aren’t sure what method of grilling would be best for them.  Other grills, you’re often stuck with minimal options, but not with this Napoleon grill.

Why You Should Think Twice

One complaint that some have is that the Napoleon Grills Prestige 500 isn’t entirely stainless steel.  Then again, complete stainless steel would really jack the price up.  So, if you want a fully stainless-steel grill, this isn’t your best bet, and be prepared to shell out a pretty penny.

While not every grill on the market offers internal lights for nighttime grilling, nighttime grillers will be a little disappointed to hear that the Prestige 500 is not equipped with integrated lighting under the hood on this model.  While it would be convenient to have, there’s a definite way to work around this.

PROs

Stainless steel construction

Easy assembly and installation

Reliable ignition system
Outstanding accessories and features
Includes a rotisserie kit with grill purchase
Grease drip pan is removable for easy cleaning
Nice storage features
High-quality materials made in Canada

CONS

Charcoal tray and smoker tube are not included
Grill gets very hot to the touch (beware, especially children!)

Price And Warranties

You can find the Napoleon Grills Prestige 500 for around $1,099 at most places and has free shipping with Amazon Prime.  For everything you get with the Prestige, including quality-, flavor-, and construction-wise, the price is more than favorable.  Even grill models that are $500 to $800+ higher than the Prestige 500 offer less.

The warranty for this grill is also very generous. Napoleon includes a Presidents Limited Lifetime Warranty that includes: the stainless steel base, aluminum castings, stainless steel cooking grids, stainless steel lid, and the porcelain enamel lid.

The porcelain-enameled cast iron cooking grids and the stainless steel tube burners, however, are covered fully under warranty for ten years (still not bad at all).  After that, they are covered for half the cost for life.

For five years warranty and then half off for life, the ceramic infrared burners (excluding the screen), stainless steel sear plates, and the stainless steel infrared rotisserie burner are covered.

All other parts of the Napoleon Prestige 500 grill are covered fully under warranty for two years after the grill purchase date.

The Bottom Line

For most grills in its price range, the Napoleon Prestige 500 is light years ahead. From quick ignition to the variety of ways to grill (gas, charcoal, wood), to the innovative wave grilling grates, you’ve got yourself a keeper.

But it’s not just the design, technology, and features that are incredible on this model; it’s also the durability, longevity, and of course, the profound flavors and sizzling sears that it provides.

The bottom line is if you’re into a grill that’s Northern American-made with great flexibility, convenient features, and ease of grilling all for a favorable price and warranty, snatch up the Napoleon Prestige 500 grill.

Now It’s Your Turn

I hope you enjoyed this Review on Napoleon Grills Prestige 500 and you have the information you need to make the best decision going forward.

Now I want to hear from you:

Which built-in gas grill have you used before?

Which are you most excited to try?

Are you going to be purchasing a built-in gas grill in the future?  Or do you plan on looking at a pellet grill or charcoal model?

Let me know by leaving a quick comment below.

If you still have questions, please feel free to send me a message.

Cheers,

Patrick

Disclosure At The Grilling Life, I am committed to researching and writing thoughtful, informative and editorially independent reviews of the best products for your outdoor cooking needs.  If you like what I do, you can support me through my chosen links, which earn me a commission.  This allows me to continue sharing with you my love for all things barbecue.  Your support is truly appreciated.

Patrick Ginise

A backyard warrior, certified carnivore, lover of good whiskey, self-proclaimed grill master and I’m Living The Grilling Life!

I have a passion for cooking with live fire and smoke, no matter the weather. I’m a real person just like you, who loves outdoor cooking and BBQ. Food, fun, and time spent with family and friends are what it’s all about! It is my mission to take my passion and knowledge for outdoor cooking and all things BBQ and share this expertise in techniques and grilling equipment with you. In other words, Living The Grilling Life!