luvchevs

My 10 year old Weber has several parts needing replacing.
Trying to decide if I should do a complete resto or buy new?
What are your thoughts? Are the new BBQ's built as good as in the past? I have heard there's a lot of inferior stuff coming in from China? Seems that even the higher end names are selling product at the big box stores that is not the quality we have come to expect from them?
If I buy new, stick with Weber or try something else, ie : Napoleon?

Dave

m.whitmell

My old Weber lasted 14 years....My new one (2 years old) is better in every way...

RAGGDOLL

A lot depends on you Dave.

How often do you use it?
Do you use it all winter too?
Do you need something bigger or do you cook for large gatherings?
Are you into the newest tech: LED lights, infrared ceramic burners, built in coolers etc etc?
Do you also like to use wood and charcoal?

Weber is a great brand, and I'd be happy to take yours off your hands should you decide to upgrade

That said, if your hardcore and want the best, go Napoleon. If just a weekend warrior, Weber will suffice just fine.

luvchevs

Mike,

To answer your questions:
I am probably what you call a weekend warrior. I do bbq during the week in the summer but not every day.
We do have large groups on occasion but not sure if it make sense to go to bigger grill for the occasional G2G?
I rarely BBQ in the winter... don't like the cold! Got my Flame suit on!
Will the infrared burners actually do anything for me to improve my bbq experience or is it just a "unique selling benefit"?
An ignitor that always works would be nice but this seems to be the impossible dream?
I have a Weber Bullet (Smokey Mountain Cooker) that I used with Charcoal for smoking ribs. They taste great but a long process and keeping the temp can be a challenge I find.
Seems that Weber and Napoleon are priced close to one another, I haven't looked into this much as I haven't decided if I should just rebuild my current one?
Thanks for your feedback!

Dave

Stickshiftsteve

If your torn - get a quote on all the parts - easy enough to do - & then make your decision.
But if was mine - I'd say adios to the old filthy thing & buy something new.
BBQ these days are built to throw away - much like everything else.

Brian71

I have a Napoleon that I've had since 2004. I've used it at least once a week since new. Last year the igniter finally died. I replaced the cooking grids at the same time. I would buy another Napoleon again. Friends of ours just bought a Weber. It looks like a good unit.
Both Weber and Napoleon have lower grade units. I'm not sure where you're located but you should check out the Napoleon factory store that is just north of Barrie off Hwy. 11.

walleyejack

i have had my Weber for 10yrs. replaced the cheap azz ceramic grates a few years ago as the coating came off an started rusting, only thing i changed, ignitor still going. oh and one of the small wheels broke.

Black 03 Z06

We have to take our garbage to the dump ourselves. The scrap metal pile is always well searched, you never know what you might find. The number of BBQ's tossed is incredible, we truly do live in a throw away society. Not many Weber's or Napoleon's in the heap though.

lionelhutz

I just bought a $400 Broil King that is "made" in Waterloo. I thought it was the highest quality grill I looked at in that price range. It had all the good stuff, like a cast aluminum tub, heavy cast grills, thick stainless heat plates & burner tubes and an electronic ignitor.

All the other comparably priced units that I looked at had cheaper construction, including the Napolean's and Weber's. Some had porecelain grills and they all used "stainless" or porcelain steel for all or part of their tub instead of a full cast aluminum tub. When I saw these cheaply made Napolean and Weber grills at similar prices to what I eventually paid, I had no real interest in spending more time shopping around for their higher end units.

At Home Depot and Canadian Tire I just did a walk past and moved on to the next place. I didn't even think the models they had on display were worth looking at. Lowe's had some good units on display but they seemed over priced. So, find an independent store for the good units at a good price.

I put made in quotes because I'm not sure how much is actually made there vs assembled and packaged there.

VETFEVER

grillspot.ca

They sell parts for 70+ brands of BBQ's

walleyejack

Thanks Jack for the info, need a wheel for mine.

VETFEVER

I meant grillspot.ca

walleyejack

grillspot came up when i punched in grillparts anyway

Piston_Head

There is a big difference in the Napoleon BBQ's that you buy at the big box stores and the ones directly from a Napoleon dealer.

I purchased one from the local dealer and a friend purchased one from Canadian Tire, I believe it was. We have compared them and there is a noticeable difference in quality.

Unfortunately I had problems with mine on the very first day. They initially began telling me that I was turning the tank on to quickly. Then they replaced the hose and regulator, which did not fix the problem. It was days old and not able to be used.

Next, they end up replacing the entire burner unit. Practically every single thing but the actual tub and lid. This is when I started asking for a completely new unit. Seems like I should just get a new BBQ, but I guess that is just crazy. Calls directly to Napoleon did not help. I was getting pissed. I didn't want a thousand dollar cobbled together BBQ. I wanted a brand new fresh from the factory BBQ. I called Napoleon support countless times and was given absolutely no help. Just told to deal with my local dealer.

I wanted to support the local dealer. I wanted to buy Canadian and support our economy. I wanted to have a quality BBQ that would last for a long time. In the end, I've got this cobbled together BBQ that works, but is not fantastic, it is far from even heat that they bragged about before I purchased it, but it does at least work now.

My buddy's CTC Napoleon BBQ has severe rust issues and he has had to replace a couple parts already. Mine is still relatively rust free. No parts have had to be replaced since the original problems.

Napoleons customer support is horrendous. I won't be buying another Napoleon BBQ. That I can guarantee.

Later,
Brad

walleyejack

checked the reciept on my weber, thought it was 10 yrs old, not, bought in 2003, replaced the grates in 2010, only thing now, i need a small rear wheel. am happy with it.

luvchevs

Brad,

Thanks for your very detailed reply.
Unfortunately you aren't the first person I've heard complain about the service!

Dave

VETFEVER

The BBQ companies make different (cheaper) product for the big chain stores to satisfy the bigger volume lower price point market. Their better products are sold thru their traditional dealers...

You would think they might worry that the cheaper product will dilute their brand eventually.

Zeeman28a

Bought a North American Outdoors Stainless Steel 7 burner with rotisserie and bun warmer from Bass Pro in Vaughan 5 years ago. Works great.

Good luck in your search.

walleyejack

not to be a wet blanket, but was doing a search on this one to read up on it. this is what i found.

North American Outdoors Gas Grill - Discontinued
March 2016

so no reviews. but still can get parts apparently. pictures look good.

walleyejack

found the new one, think i will get one !

American Outdoor Grill 36 Inch Propane Gas Grill On Cart with Rotisserie & Side Burner
by AOG
1.8 out of 5 stars 4 customer reviews
Price: $3,181.00
Sale: $2,862.90 & FREE Shipping