Barbecues with character to take your outdoor living to another level
If you’ve read our other posts (where we tell you who we are, invite you to our shop in Estepona, or talk about the Weber universe), you already know that for us, barbecuing isn’t just ‘cooking outside’:
it’s a plan, it’s a ritual, and often the perfect excuse to get together with the people you care about.
In this context, Napoleon is one of those brands that raises the bar a notch:
more power, more details designed for better cooking and a very ‘premium’ touch without losing the fun factor.
In this blog, we want to tell you, without any weird technical jargon:
- Where Napoleon comes from and how it became what it is today.
- What you should know before buying a barbecue from this brand.
- Our personal top picks for charcoal, gas and electric barbecues.
- A quick look at their ranges.
- And three accessories that we constantly recommend at barbecueworld.es.
A little history: from a workshop in Canada to high-end barbecues
Promise: this will be brief, but it’s worth knowing.
Before becoming ‘Napoleon barbecues’, it all started with Wolf Steel Ltd. in Canada, back in the 1970s. They manufactured steel, fireplaces, stoves… and little by little they brought all that knowledge of heat and materials to the world of barbecues and outdoor kitchens.
The result? A brand that has become famous for:
- Powerful, well-built barbecues.
- Meticulous attention to detail in burners, grates and temperature control.
- A clear focus on those who want more than just “a barbecue for four sausages”.
So, if you also see barbecuing as something to be truly enjoyed (as we mentioned in our first blog post), Napoleon is right up your alley.
What you should know before buying a Napoleon barbecue
When someone comes into the shop or writes to us asking about Napoleon, we almost always end up talking about these points:
1. It is a mid-high/high-end brand
It is not the “cheapest option in the catalogue”, and it is good to be clear about that from the outset.
Napoleon is usually the choice of those who say something like:
“I want a good one, I’m going to use it a lot and I want it to last”.
The materials, finishes and details are designed precisely for that.
2. It has a lot of technological ‘juice’
One of the things we like most about Napoleon is that it’s not just ‘pretty’:
you can tell there’s a lot of work behind how it cooks:
- WAVE™ grates (the wavy ones) that distribute heat very well and make great marks.
- SIZZLE ZONE™ infrared burners that reach extremely high temperatures in no time and seal your meat ‘like in a restaurant’.
- Controls, lids and work areas carefully designed for comfortable cooking.
If you’re someone who enjoys fine-tuning your cooking, trying new things and really making the most of your barbecue, you’ll love this.
3. It’s ideal if you use your barbecue often
Napoleon is a particularly good fit if:
- You’re going to cook a lot (not just three times a year).
- You like to have plenty of power.
- You value the feeling of quality when you open the lid, move the grill or clean up afterwards.
A quick look at the Napoleon barbecue ranges
Without turning this into a catalogue, here is a quick summary of how their barbecues are organised:
Gas
Series such as Freestyle, Rogue and Prestige (and their PRO versions) cater for users who want to make a leap in quality to those who want a real ‘outdoor kitchen on wheels’.
They also have built-in heads for custom projects, which fit perfectly with the outdoor kitchens we talk so much about at Barbecue World.
If you would like to see a little more about built-in barbecues, watch this video.
Charcoal
From kettle-style models (the classic round ones) to larger, more complete charcoal barbecues, designed for those who enjoy traditional fire but want control and convenience.
Electric and portable
For terraces, balconies or to take your barbecue with you, they have very serious electric and portable models that behave like ‘real’ barbecues, not just simple grills.
Griddles and other formats
They are also strongly committed to griddles and specific solutions for cooking many types of food outdoors.
At barbecueworld.es and in our Estepona shop, we work with several of these ranges, so if you come in, we can compare them ‘live’ and see which one makes the most sense for you.
Our ‘top Napoleon’: charcoal, gas and electric
Let’s get to what we’re almost always asked:
‘Okay, but if you had to choose one charcoal, one gas and one electric… which ones would they be?’
This isn’t an absolute truth, but it is our favourite starting point when helping someone choose.
And yes, you can find all the ones we mention at barbecueworld.es (or ask us about them).
Our top charcoal barbecue: Kettle Charcoal Barbecue – Napoleon
If you want a charcoal barbecue that is more than just ‘your typical supermarket model,’ the Kettle Charcoal Barbecue – Napoleon is our top choice.
Why we like it so much:
- Traditional kettle format, but with meticulous details.
- Very precise air control, ideal for direct and indirect grilling.
- Perfect size for families and friends without taking up half the garden.
It’s the typical barbecue that, if you really like charcoal, you’ll get a lot of use out of.
Our top gas barbecue: Rogue SE 425 RSIB – Napoleon
Now we’re getting into serious territory.
The Rogue SE 425 RSIB – Napoleon Gas Barbecue is one of those barbecues that, when you see it in person, you say, ‘OK, this is in a league of its own.’
What we like most:
- Three main burners + SIZZLE ZONE™ infrared side burner + rear burner.
- WAVE™ grates that make spectacular marks and distribute heat very well.
- Very convenient for everyday cooking, but also for long roasts, using a rotisserie, etc.
If you are someone who uses the barbecue both during the week and at weekends, this is a very serious candidate.
Our top electric choice: TravelQ Pro 285EX – Napoleon
If gas or charcoal barbecues are not suitable for your terrace or community, that doesn’t mean you have to give up enjoying a good barbecue.
We love the TravelQ Pro 285EX Electric Barbecue – Napoleon because:
- It has a compact and portable design, with very practical trolley options.
- It offers real power, with grills that retain heat very well.
- It is perfect for balconies, terraces and for those who want something clean, easy to store and quick to use.
Ideal if you want to liven up your outdoor space without the hassle of gas bottles or sacks of charcoal.
Napoleon accessories: the little extra that makes a big difference
As with other brands we have already discussed in the blog, one of the things we value most about working with Napoleon is that they don’t just stop at barbecues.
At Barbecue World, we have a good selection of Napoleon accessories: covers, utensils, cleaning products, smoking chips… And there are some that we recommend almost by heart because we know they get a lot of use.
3 Napoleon accessories we usually recommend
1. Set of 3 Barbecue Utensils – Napoleon
Start with the basics… but do them well.
The Napoleon 3-Piece Barbecue Tool Set is the classic set that really works:
- Tongs, spatula and extra tool depending on the set.
- Good grip, good weight and built to last.
If you’re used to using “normal” kitchen tools on the barbecue, you’ll notice the difference.
2. Rogue Cover – Napoleon
When you invest in a Rogue, we almost always say the same thing:
‘Don’t forget the cover.’
- It is custom-designed for Rogue barbecues.
- It protects from the sun, rain and dirt.
- It extends the life of the barbecue and keeps it looking like new.
It’s one of those purchases that isn’t very ‘exciting’, but is super smart.
3. Wood Chips – Napoleon
If you like to give meat, fish or vegetables a smoky flavour, Napoleon Wood Chips are addictive:
- Different types of wood depending on the flavour you are looking for.
- They can be used with gas (with a smoker box) and charcoal.
- They enhance any recipe with very little effort.
We warn you: once you start playing with wood, you’ll never want to go back 😉
Are you ‘Team Napoleon’?
If any of this sounds familiar to what we’ve said in other posts — that idea that barbecuing is a whole experience, not just a piece of equipment — then maybe it’s time to:
- Take a look at the Napoleon barbecues and accessories at barbecueworld.es.
- Save your favourites and compare them at your leisure.
- Or come to our shop in Estepona, see them in person and let’s chat about how you cook, not how “the average user” cooks.
As we always say:
we provide the barbecue, the advice and the ideas…
you provide the desire to enjoy the outdoors.
And with Napoleon, that desire quickly turns into embers 🔥
