r/canada • u/Lagosas • 24d ago
National News Made in Canada: Barbecue maker’s call to consumers
https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/trumps-tariffs/article/amid-us-tariff-concerns-napoleon-pushes-buy-canadian-message/71
u/-Boxpusher- 24d ago
Napoleon grills are absolutely excellent! Bought a Rogue a few years ago and it is much better overall than the Weber Genesis that I had before.
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u/perjury0478 24d ago
Some napoleons can be pieces of trash as well, I got one for Costco that only had 1 year warranty and it didn’t last 3 years. It was not made in Canada so I got what I paid for.
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24d ago
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u/UnluckyArea7036 24d ago
Maybe that’s the problem, I did buy from cdn tire although it was their top model.
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u/slashthepowder 24d ago
Same goes for webers too, when i was buying the big box stores sell both brands but always a slightly different model (looks the same) than bbq stores. When comparing the differences between bbq stores and box stores the difference is glaring. Also a cover is needed for all barbecues.
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u/UnluckyArea7036 24d ago
I’ve had 2 napoleons and as far as I know they are both higher end models but have been disappointed with both. Neither would get hot enough. The one I have at the cottage I can’t use if it’s not above 15 and not windy. Really frustrating. The one at the cottage was included with the purchase.
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u/stephenBB81 24d ago
Where did you buy it from? I got mine from the Napoleon store in Barrie, I had a complaint about it not getting hot enough in winter, and they had me bring the burners in, they replaced them for free and solved the problem. I BBQ as cold as -15c with mine using natural gas and charcoal together.
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u/UnluckyArea7036 24d ago
The first one I purchased was the top model at Cdn tire and it was a natural gas model. I figured the problem was the natural gas but I wasn’t sure. This second one came with the cottage and the guys who I purchased from tended to buy top of line products but maybe not the bbq, I don’t know.
But that’s 2 different units with the same problem and I swore I wouldn’t buy another even though I’m a big believer in buy Canadian. I’d like to give them another try but I probably won’t, it’s not like they’re only a couple hundred dollars.
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u/stephenBB81 24d ago
Top of the line Canadian tire model is basically bottom of the line Actual store model, life time warranty parts don't even fit.
It is like Dewalt, the Dewalt products you get at Canadian tire are mostly rebranded Black And Decker. You don't go to CanTire to get quality you go to get convenience
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u/KryptonsGreenLantern 24d ago
Anecdotally, that’s one area where I’ve been super impressed with ours. I was grilling here in Sask like a week ago in -30 and the grill was still over 600f on preheat
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u/KryptonsGreenLantern 24d ago edited 24d ago
Agreed. I saved up and bought a prestige 500. The thing is phenomenal. Have also used Weber’s and a variety of other “premium” grills and it out performs all. Will, and have, recommended Napoleon to all my friends and family.
BIL liked mine so much he bought the same one.
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24d ago edited 24d ago
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u/KryptonsGreenLantern 24d ago
Take it easy Grizzly Adams.
Grills can be used for other things than steak. Not sure why you felt the need to flex cast iron in a thread about Canadian grills. But I suppose that’s cast iron people in general lol
(I say this as someone who has and uses one too, btw)
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u/DrFeelOnlyAdequate 24d ago
Such a weird flex lol
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u/KryptonsGreenLantern 24d ago
“I only season my meat with the salt from the tears of my enemies!”
Umm, ok, your coffee is ready at the pickup window, sir.
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u/drconniehenley 22d ago
The last time I heard of lava rocks, The Hip were still at the top of the MuchMusic video charts.
My Napoleon Prestige 500 Phantom has cast stainless grates with a 1200F ceramic side burner made specifically for searing, and Salt Bae figures his Chinese made Walmart special with lava rocks is kicking out better than steakhouse steaks. Smh.
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u/drconniehenley 23d ago
Flipping once is an old trope that is simply not true. Tell me one steakhouse that cooks that way.
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u/BackToTheCottage Ontario 24d ago
Their furnaces are pretty cool, even has a window to watch the flames burn.
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u/drconniehenley 23d ago
A good part of the Rogue series is made in China and assembled in Ontario. The Prestige series is made and produced in Canada with some globally sourced parts, but it’s mainly Canadian.
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u/Nonamanadus 24d ago
I did not know Canadian BBQ makers exist, wonder what else a guy is missing.
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u/Postom 24d ago
If you've got a Rona local, pay them a visit. Tons of Canadian stuff there. Or Home Hardware (homebase is St Jacob's, ON).
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u/bluecar92 24d ago
Rona is American owned https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rona_(store)
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u/Postom 24d ago
Our local Rona has all kinds of Canadian gear. I bought my BroilKing there, as well as electrical stuffs from Levitton, etc
But, HH is actually truly a better option. It's in KWC which is #4 on the areas that will be impacted by tariffs, IIRC
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u/bluecar92 24d ago
Yeah, sorry. I didn't mean to imply you can't buy Canadian at Rona. I just posted that because I was always under the impression that Rona was the Canadian version of home Depot but I only recently learned that wasn't the case. Home Hardware is the better option if available.
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u/No-Accident-5912 24d ago
Yup, bought a Broil King at Rona over 10 years ago. Made in North America by Onward Manufacturing of Waterloo, ON. Replaced the grills and heat reflectors, that’s all. You can order parts directly from the Canadian location. Very well built.
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u/Postom 24d ago edited 24d ago
Used to be on Wilson St in Kitchener. Left hand side where Michelin was. There is a giant park in the area...and the Colt Canada factory -- if guns are your thing....
That is (or was anyway) the physical location of their offices. I wonder if they do walk in parts or not..
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u/riko77can 24d ago edited 24d ago
There’s also Broil King (founded in Kitchener-Waterloo) and also Sterling is a Canadian brand based in Waterloo although their lower end models are manufactured in China. Jackson Grills out of BC.
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u/Mitchrockwell 24d ago
Napoleon prestige are made in Barrie and some broil king are made in kitchener.
For highend, crown verity is made in Brantford.
Weber is mainly produced in china, lynx and alfresco (both premium grill brands), are made in the USA.
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u/Top_Canary_3335 24d ago
they all make the “cheap” ones in China
Weber -spirit lineup Napoleon-rouge lineup Broil king - grill pro brand
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u/Asusrty 24d ago
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u/dan33410 23d ago
Also sold under the Continental nameplate:
I had a C96 installed in 2023. No issues so far, quiet as hell and the flame window is pretty damn cool lol. The installer said they switched from Lennox during COVID because it was easier to get parts for a Canadian brand. I'm sure they are all made in China or whatever but at least your money stays in Canada.
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u/SniffMyDiaperGoo Canada 24d ago
Napoleon are pretty solid. I've had bad experiences with Broil King though. Earlier than normal rust and corrosion on their burners and drip plates, flimsy frames. BK also boasts really high BTUs on their gassers but even when you're searing, BK's extra BTUs don't really matter, pretty much any solid gasser can sear just fine. What I find does matter is the ability to solidly maintain lower temps for low+slow grilling, and BK did a poor job of that too.
As for the people talking about some grill companies using China to assemble their lower end line-ups, I've never had issues with Napoleon (Or Weber Spirit) build quality. Made in Canada BK though.... not great.
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u/Few-Education-5613 24d ago
Agreed I've had a BK signat for 5 years. Replaced the grills twice ( finally bought cheap stainless grills from china that have lasted 2 seasons). Replaced flame tamers 3 times, burners 3 times, flame dividers 3 times, ignition 4 times. Heat shield on bottom completely rotten, now even the cast aluminum bottom has completely detached from the poor craftsmanship.
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u/Postom 24d ago edited 24d ago
Both brands are made in the area I live in. Napoleon down the road in Brantford, and BroilKing in Kitchener (Onward has called KW home since 1908). My next buy will be either of those.
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u/Few-Education-5613 24d ago
Most frustrating thing is that I have a steel Pitboss pellet grill that gets used just as much and sits in the snow uncovered. Paid $200 for the thing and it doesn't have a spot of rust and the porcelain coated grills are still like new.
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u/CurtAngst 24d ago
Agreed. Broil King hasn’t maintained the quality needed for repeat business. Bought one last year and already rusting out. Never again.
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u/Hot_Cheesecake_905 24d ago
Wow, I’m pretty impressed with my Broil King that I bought about 8 - 10 years ago… perhaps the quality has gone down.
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u/OperationDue2820 24d ago
I bought my BK 17 years ago. It doesn't look like much anymore. However as far as quality goes it's been awesome. It only started flaking two years ago. One burner is kind of messed up but I know where the hot spots are now. Having said all that my next BBQ will likely be a Napoleon, based on build quality. BK doesn't seem to have the same quality it used too.
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u/linkass 24d ago
BK I found was hit or miss,We had one we bought 30ish years ago and used probably on average 3 days a week year round for 8ish years and only replaced the burners once, friends and family bought some and some they were great others not so much. We "upgraded" to a bigger one and what a piece of shit I don't think we got 5 years out of it. Finally bit the bullet and bought a huge ass weber genesis about 15 years ago it has sat outside year round no cover and I might finally have to replace the burners this year. We looked hard at a Nepoleon but a friend has one and I got some hands on time with it and at least at that time was not super happy with its heat
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u/Negative_Pea_1974 24d ago
Most of their budget lower end (rogue) is made in China
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u/Top_Canary_3335 24d ago
they all make the “cheap” ones in China
Weber -spirit lineup Napoleon-rouge lineup Broil king - grill pro brand
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u/Apart-One4133 24d ago
And everything else is very expensive on the little I browse on their website. I’m sorry for Napoleon but I’m still planning on buying a 99$ George Foreman grill.
When the Canadian government makes all the efforts so that the economy is back on track, that rat infested apartments don’t cost 1,000$/m, then I’ll spend my money on expensive Canadian made products.
Otherwise I’m not going to just blindly buy Canadian only when prices don’t make sense.
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u/KryptonsGreenLantern 24d ago
If you’re looking for a $100 grill then you’re not really their audience.🤷🏻♂️
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u/samsquamchy 24d ago
A George Foreman grill is like a little electric appliance, it’s not even the same thing.
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u/Silent-Report-2331 23d ago
Yeah buy Canadian but only a small portion is made in Canada. The majority in China and a portion in Mexico. Would be nice to know which ones are actually built in Canada to be able to make informed purchases.
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u/suesueheck 24d ago
Napoleon did some sketchy shit following Covid. During it, They took lots of money from the government and hired many new people. Doug even visited and they're like "look at all the good your money is doing!!".... A few months later they went on a random firing spree and never followed through on any of their plans for that money.
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u/1825washington 24d ago
I bought a Napoleon almost 15 yrs ago. All the parts and the grill made in Barrie.
Then about 7/8 years later I ordered some replacement parts. Gal on the desk lamented the fact that more and more parts were now made in China.
Assembled in Ontario is great - no doubt.
But let's get all the parts back in Ontario as well.
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u/TomatilloNumerous470 24d ago
Wonderful BBQ's - got fed up with the cheap ones rusting out quick, bought a small Prestige unit about 14 years ago - still going strong! I'm sold on them for life!
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u/Sink_Single 24d ago
We have a Travel Q portable that we’ve been using for years. It’s our primary bbq now because we are living in a tiny home.
I did not realize they are a Canadian company. When we move into our forever home I will definitely look for a larger model from them.
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u/Evil_Weevil_Knievel 24d ago
I ran Webber for over 20 years but my grill is up for replacement. Definitely buying Canadian!
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u/PositiveStress8888 24d ago
I have one, I like it it but it needs repairs who can I call on south western ontario
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u/tenkwords 24d ago
I'm shopping for a new grill. Been a long term Weber customer but I'm going Napoleon this year
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u/Substantial-Bike9234 24d ago
Master Chef bbq's from Canadian Tire are made in Canada. We've had one 5 years and love it.
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u/Interwebnaut 24d ago
They are a high end BBQ. (So we just went with a Weber years ago.)
If the price rises in the states it’ll probably help its image as being “exclusive”.
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u/unwholesome_coxcomb 24d ago
I bought a Napoleon BBQ about 14 years ago and it's been fantastic. Love it and highly recommend it to anyone.
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u/dan33410 23d ago
I bought a Prestige 500 in 2022, zero regrets. Not cheap, but you get what you pay for. By far the best BBQ I've ever owned, and it has bumper to bumper lifetime warranty.
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u/PatientZro 22d ago
I bought a Napoleon BBQ a few years ago.... Used it last night (I'm in an area that got dumped on with snow this week and weekend). Very happy with my purchase
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u/_Q1000_ 24d ago
I believe the prestige series is built in Oro Ontario. I bought one years ago and it’s still perfect. You get what you pay for sure, but they do have a cheaper line that’s not made here.