If you love outdoor living on the Atlantic coast, it pays to back a Canadian brand that understands harsh salt air, blustery winters, and barbecue-season bragging rights. Napoleon is one such brand, still family-owned and still engineering many of its products in Barrie, Ontario. It has grown from a 1976 garage start-up into one of North America’s largest privately held makers of grills, fireplaces, and HVAC equipment.
Here’s why it deserves a starring role in your backyard and beyond.
Born in Barrie: A Quick Brand History
Napoleon began in 1976 when Wolfgang and Ingrid Schroeter started Wolf Steel Ltd. in their garage, fabricating railings and wood stoves for local builders. By the mid-1980s, they were pioneering high-efficiency gas fireplaces; in 1995, the first Napoleon-branded barbecue rolled off the line, kicking off four decades of continuous R&D.
Today, the company employs 1,600+ Canadians, exports to more than 40 countries, and remains firmly in family hands, now helmed by sons Chris and Stephen Schroeter.
- 1976: Wolfgang and Ingrid Schroeter open Wolf Steel to fabricate railings and wood stoves.
- 1995: The company diversifies into gas grills and adopts the Napoleon name.
- Today: It employs more than 1,600 people, exports to 40 countries, and still welds many Prestige-series lids and fireboxes in Ontario, giving the brand strict control over quality and supply.
A Summer Backyard Staple: Canadian-Made BBQs
Nothing says “maritime summer” like lobster tails on a sizzling stainless deck. These Napolean BBQ models we carry will have you covered:
- Prestige PRO 500 / 665 / 825: Flagship stainless-steel carts for year-round grillers; include dual infrared burners, proximity lighting, and 80–123 k BTU of power.
- Prestige 500 Connected: Wi-Fi/Bluetooth-enabled model that sends temperature alerts to your phone and tracks fuel so you can step away from the grill.
- Phantom Prestige 500 RSIB: Matte-black finish with cast-stainless grids and infrared sear zone for steakhouse-level browning.
- Ambiance 425 / 425 XT / 500: Mid-size, budget-friendly grills with folding shelves and a 15-year warranty, ideal for most family decks.
- Bull Pit 1000 Pellet: Set-and-forget pellet grill offering 1,000 sq in of cooking space, 180–600 °F range, and app control for smoking or pizza nights.
Winter Warmth: Canadian-Made Fireplaces
When Labour Day sunsets start to nip, bring the ambiance indoors. Napoleon’s gas and electric fireplaces combine artisan-grade log sets with smart tech. Bluetooth eFIRE™ control lets you fine-tune flame, lighting, and blower from your phone, so you can warm up après-surf without leaving the couch.
Five Reasons to Buy Canadian Right Now
Canadians are embracing a new wave of patriotism in the face of rising trade tensions. This is why buying local products is more important than ever:
- Beat the new 25 % import tariff. As of March 13, 2025, Canada is levying steep duties on a long list of U.S. made appliances and metal goods (grills included), making homegrown options more cost-effective.
- Faster parts & service. Domestic manufacturing keeps replacement components in national warehouses instead of being stuck at customs.
- Jobs for Canadians. Every Barrie-built burner supports skilled trades and R&D roles from coast to coast, boosting our economy.
- Lower transport emissions. Shorter supply chains mean fewer kilometres between factory and front porch.
- Designed for Canadian climates. Products are tested in conditions that mirror your own damp fog, snowy and wind-whipped winters.
Ready to Upgrade?
If you want gear that thrives in salt air, sideways rain and sub-zero windchill, buy from a brand that faces that weather every day. Ultimate Home Comfort is Halifax’s authorized Napoleon dealer, with BBQs fired up for demo and fireplace inserts that prove cozy season never really ends. Drop by our showroom or connect online, and let our team match you with the perfect Canadian-made grill or hearth for your Nova Scotia home.