Napoleon Prestige 500 Connected Grill: Gas Grill Perfection?

After using the Napoleon Prestige 500 Connected Grill for about a month, we're ready to share our thoughts and findings.

A couple of years ago we reviewed the Napoleon Prestige 500 in a roundup to find the best gas grill and were thoroughly impressed. When Napoleon released the Connected Grill and invited us to take it for a spin, we gladly obliged.

Our first impressions of the Napoleon Prestige 500 Connected

The first thing that draws my attention is the knobs on the front. I can tell that these knobs have lights in them, and I personally love that feature. They glow blue when they're off and red when they're lit, so you always know when your grill is on.

There are 4 main burners, and they put out 82,000 BTU's of heat. There's 500 square inches of cooking surface on the main level inside the chamber, and the main grate measures 28 inches wide by 18 inches deep. There's an upper rack that adds 260 square inches to the total cooking surface that's 28 and a half inches wide by 8 and a half inches deep. The upper rack also has a fold away feature, which I think all grills should adopt. This way I won't lose it when I lean it against the wall in the garage when I'm not using it.

Just above the main grate you'll see the rear infrared rotisserie burner that runs the length of the grill. It puts out 18,000 BTU's of heat. This is the Prestige 500 RSIB Connected version of the grill, which comes with the rotisserie system in the box, so no need to buy it separately.

On the left side, you'll find a side burner sear station, and the lid folds completely down underneath so it's not in the way when you're searing. Called the "Sizzle Zone," this burner puts out 16,000 BTU's and has 154 square inches of cooking surface at 1,800 degrees.

The grates are all round bar stainless steel at 8.5 millimeters thick. The main chamber grates are the Napoleon WAVE cooking grates, which if you haven't seen them before are always a great conversation starter with guests.

The ignition on the grill is the flamethrower style, which I enjoy after many years spent trying to ignite grills with other ignition systems. There is a lot of stainless steel in this grill, with the stainless steel tube burners, cooking grates and sear grate being some of the most notable.

Connected or Not-Connected: Which Napoleon Prestige to Choose?

There's a lot that is the same between the two models, but there are a fair number of differences that we've noticed.

• The total Power for the Prestige 500 Connected is 82,000 BTU; up from 80,000 in the non-connected version.

• The infrared side burner now offers 16,000 BTU, an increase from 14,000 in the older model.

• The infrared rear rotisserie burner is 3 inches longer than the previous version.

• The main grates used to be 7.5mm and now they're 8.5mm.

• The sear burner grate was porcelain coated cast iron, and now it's 8.5mm stainless steel.

• The side burner cover used to just pivot and stay open, and now it folds completely out of the way.

• The Napoleon Prestige 500 Connected now has a propane tank scale to help inform you when you're low on gas.

• Probably the biggest change is that the grill is now connected using wifi and the Napoleon app on your mobile device.

Check Price on Napoleon Prestige 500Check Price on Napoleon Prestige 500 Connected

What we love about the Napoleon Prestige 500 Connected Grill

Infrared Side Burner

Creating an instant Maillard reaction when searing a steak is no problem when your sear burner reaches temperatures as high as 1,800°F. This is sear-iously hot. I like the switch to stainless steel grates on this model over the enamel cast iron on the previous model.

Rotisserie (Included)

I love that the rotisserie accessory is included in the purchase of the Napoleon Prestige 500 Connected gas grill. I know, by reading our YouTube comments, that a lot of gas grill users love being able to rotisserie, and I would agree. It was easy to install and worked seamlessly with the rear infrared burner to beautifully roast and baste a rotisserie chicken in our testing.

Propane Weight System

We've all been there. In the middle of a cook, sometimes even cooking for guests, and suddenly the food stops cooking. What's the matter? Oh, we're out of propane. Wouldn't it be nice if your grill had some way to tell you if you're running low so you can be prepared?

With the Napoleon Prestige 500 Connected grill, when you install a new full propane tank, you can calibrate your tank scale and a green propane icon will appear on the display and in your app that keeps track of your propane supply. I love that outdoor gas appliances are starting to integrate this technology.

Of course for you natural gas users, this isn't that big of a deal, but for anyone who has ever run out of propane in the middle of a cook, it is in fact a very big deal.

Connected Features

Most of what I use a gas grill for means I don't have a whole lot of time to walk away from the grill, so I've never really felt a need to be connected to my grill through wifi. I understand though, that I may be a unique case. 

Even though the connected features weren't something I ever wished for (*besides the propane sensor-- I've DEFINITELY felt a need for that before), I can certainly see their value for a typical gas grill user.

Having an app tell you that your grill has reached your desired temperature while you're inside the kitchen prepping? That's helpful.

Having 2 meat probes included to monitor your internal temperatures so you don't end up with another dry and overcooked chicken breast? That's helpful too.

Natural Gas Capable

The Napoleon Prestige 500 Connected is available as a propane grill, or for $50 more, natural gas grill.

Stow-away Warming Rack

I'm not really a warming rack kind of guy. I usually feel like these second shelves are in the way and pull them out of grills entirely. It might not be that big of a problem if you only own one or two grills. But since we have a constant parade of grills coming and going through our patio, I end up with a random collection of warming racks in my garage with no clue what grill they go with. That's why I love this feature in the Napoleon Prestige 500.

I wish every grill manufacturer would take a note from Napoleon.

I know there are plenty of you out there who appreciate these extra shelves and use them regularly. I'm not that guy. But I would make my wife SO much happier if I could just tuck those shelves up and out of the way rather than remove and lose them.

Napoleon Prestige 500 Connected Video Review