Napoleon Phantom Rogue SE 425 RSIB review: a high-end gas grill with five burners but difficult assembly

A high-end gas grill with five burners

Napoleon Phantom Rogue SE 425 RSIB being tested in writer's home
(Image: © Future)

Top Ten Reviews Verdict

With its large cooking area and five burners, the Napoleon Phantom Rogue SE 425 RSIB is an excellent choice for hosting parties and cookouts. However, assembly can be difficult, and the price is relatively high. Overall, it's a solid option for those who need a powerful grill for large gatherings.

Pros

  • +

    Large cooking area

  • +

    Powerful with five burners

  • +

    Side table and side burner for prep and serving

  • +

    Easy to clean

  • +

    Backlit controls

Cons

  • -

    Difficult assembly

  • -

    Expensive price point

  • -

    Small wheels make it difficult to move on grass

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If you're planning to host a lot of parties or cookouts, the Napoleon Phantom Rogue SE 425 RSIB is an excellent option. It has five powerful burners and can cook up to 26 burgers or chicken legs at once. However, during our testing process, we found it to be incredibly challenging to assemble. It took three of us nearly three hours to complete, which is not ideal if you want to start grilling right away.

In this guide, we'll evaluate the specs, features, design, and user reviews to help you compare this grill to more of the best gas grills you may be interested in.

One thing that stood out to us during testing was the number of burners on this model. It has three main burners, a side burner, and a burner for the warming rack. This grill is ideal for those who want to cook a large amount of food for parties or have a big family.

The Napoleon Phantom Rogue SE 425 is one of the largest models we tested, and assembly was difficult. It took three of us over three hours to fully assemble this grill—it was quite a challenge.

Monib Zahdeh
Monib Zahdeh

Monib is a writer for Top Ten Reviews, specializing in many areas including testing gas grills. He has a degree in journalism and over four years of experience in the home and garden industry as a Digital Content Specialist for the made-to-measure marketplace Britannia Rose. When he is not busy evaluating grills, Monib enjoys cooking, going on walks, and visiting different historical sites.

Napoleon Phantom Rogue SE 425 RSIB: Key specs

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Row 0 - Cell 0 Row 0 - Cell 1
TypeGas (propane)
Cooking surfaceGrate
Cooking surface area706 square inches
Burners5
BTU81,083
Side burner?Yes
Rotisserie compatible?Yes
DimensionsH48.4 x W55.1 x D25 inches
Weight152.1 lbs

Napoleon Phantom Rogue SE 425 RSIB: Price & availability

The Napoleon Phantom Rogue SE 425 RSIB usually retails for around $1800/£1400, making it one of the most expensive grills on our list. While it does boast a number of impressive features and a huge cooking area, this price is only really worth it if you see yourself hosting large cookouts or family gatherings. 

It's available to buy from resellers such as Walmart and Best Buy.

If you have a small family or won't use this grill very often, you may want to choose a cheaper, smaller option. 

Napoleon Phantom Rogue SE 425 RSIB: Setup

Setting up the Napoleon Phantom Rogue SE 425 RSIB gas grill can be challenging, as it requires some technical knowledge and patience. The assembly process can take up to three hours, and it is recommended that you have at least two people working on it. The grill comes with a detailed instruction manual that includes diagrams that can help with the setup process.

However, some users have found the instructions to be a bit confusing and not very user-friendly. The grill consists of several significant parts, including the main body, the side tables, and the burners, that must be assembled and connected correctly. The most challenging part of the assembly process is attaching the burners to the main body, which requires some precision and skill.

It is also essential to make sure that all the screws and bolts are tightened correctly to ensure the grill is stable and secure.

Napoleon Phantom Rogue SE 425 RSIB before being unboxed

The Napoleon Phatom in a box before assembling (Image credit: Future)

Napoleon Phantom Rogue SE 425 RSIB: Design

The Napoleon Phantom Rogue SE 425 RSIB's design is classic. It has four wheels so that it can be easily moved around patios or porches, and the stainless steel exterior is resistant to the elements. This barbecue will need to be covered after use, but you won't need to worry about dragging it indoors. We found that the wheels make it hard to move on grass as they are pretty small, so this might be better left on a porch or patio. 

This model uses temperature dials to control the heat of the five burners, an excellent addition to touch controls as they can lose their sensitivity over time. The Napoleon Phantom Rogue SE 425 RSIB has a side table and a side burner for prepping and serving - this is an excellent addition as you won't need to bring an additional table outside for prep.  

burger grilling on the side burner of the Napoleon Phantom Rogue SE 425 RSIB

A side table and side burner is helpful for prepping and serving (Image credit: Future)

Napoleon Phantom Rogue SE 425 RSIB: Performance

The Napoleon Phantom Rogue SE 425 RSIB has a number of features that stood out to us during our testing process. These helped us cook burgers and chicken to perfection with a nice char. 

The instant JETFIRE ignition system allows you to light the grill at the push of a button without the need for matches or a barbecue lighter, and the temperature gauge helps you keep track of the grill's temperature while you are cooking.

The side burner is also an excellent addition as it allows you to cater to dietary requirements or prepare garnishes while you cook main dishes. The wheels make it easy to move around hard surfaces, but you may struggle to move them onto grass or dirt as they are pretty small and can get snagged easily. 

The whole grill, from the lid to the burner, is incredibly easy to clean thanks to the stainless steel material, and the matte black color helps it to stay hot for slow cooking or smoking. The controls are backlit, making them easy to see. It is also a great addition.

close up of the controls of the Napoleon Phantom Rogue SE 425 RSIB

The controls are backlit (Image credit: Future)

Napoleon Phantom Rogue SE 425 RSIB: Maintenance

To ensure your Napoleon Phantom Rogue SE 425 RSIB gas grill lasts for a long time, it's essential to take good care of it. Proper cleaning and maintenance will keep it looking great and help it function at its best.

Firstly, be sure to clean your grill after each use. Use a grill brush to remove food debris or grease from the grates, and wipe down the exterior with a damp cloth. It's also important to deep-clean your grill regularly. This means removing the grates and burners and cleaning them thoroughly with warm, soapy water. Ensure that the grill's interior and drip tray are cleaned as well. 

In addition to cleaning, you should also perform routine maintenance on your Napoleon Phantom Rogue SE 425 RSIB. This includes checking the propane tank for leaks, inspecting the hoses and connections for wear and tear, and replacing damaged parts. Lastly, cover your grill when it's not in use to protect it from the elements and prevent rust and other damage. 

Napoleon Phantom Rogue SE 425 RSIB: User Reviews

The Napoleon Phantom Rogue SE 425 RSIB is high-quality and easy to clean, and the user reviews certainly back this up. The grill has an average rating of 4.6/5 on Napoleon's website, with users praising its efficiency and size. 

One happy user said "I have had a Napolean Bar-B-Que for 5+ years and there is no better product than what they manufacture. The quality is stellar. The look is pleasing. The design and efficiency are bar none of the best available." 

The small number of negative reviews often mention problems with the grill's electrical system. One user stated, "The BBQ cooks really well. The one problem I have is that the electrical system for the lights and for lighting the two infrared burners does not work. I changed the batteries, checked the connections, and also asked by email to get a solution, but I haven't received a reply from Napoleon." 

Regarding customer support, users seem to have a bit of a problem getting a response from Napoleon, which is a problem and something to consider when making this purchase. Napoleon

Should you buy the Napoleon Phantom Rogue SE 425 RSIB?

If you are going to have a lot of people over for cookouts, then this is a powerful, efficient grill that will make a lot of people happy. The side burner's ability to cater to vegetarians and alternative diets is excellent, and the grill size is enough to feed dozens of people. Having said this, if you are only going to cook for yourself and your family, then it is hard to justify the enormous price tag. If you are not cooking for many people, we suggest a smaller, cheaper option. Another thing to note is the massive amount of assembly - if you want to get to grilling straight away, this is not the model for you. 

How does the Napoleon Phantom Rogue SE 425 RSIB compare?

When compared to the sleek and modern Napoleon Phantom Rogue SE 425 RSIB grill, the Weber Traveler stands out for its portability and compact design, making it an ideal choice for tailgating or camping. The Weber Spirit II E-310, on the other hand, is a reliable and sturdy option that offers better taste and ease of use than the Phantom Rogue SE 425 RSIB. The Weber Q3200 also ranks high in customer satisfaction but lacks comparison details. Finally, the Napoleon Freestyle 425 is a large barbecue that's easy to move and store, making it an ideal choice for feeding a large family or a big party.

How I tested the Napoleon Phantom Rogue SE 425 RSIB

At Top Ten Reviews, we are committed to providing consumers with the best possible purchasing advice. To achieve this, we conduct extensive product testing, beginning with the unboxing and assembly, followed by an examination of performance, storage, and maintenance. 

When reviewing gas grills, we time and assess the ease of assembly. Our reviewer then conducted precise cooking tests, including cooking chicken breasts, steaks, burgers, whole chicken, and vegetables. During these tests, they evaluated the range of temperatures the grill can achieve, cooking times, the evenness and consistency of temperature, and any accessories that come with the grill. 

Once the cooking tests are completed, we consult with experts to seek advice on the best methods for cleaning, storing, and maintaining the grill. For more, head to our dedicated page on how we test.

  • First reviewed: 28th June 2023
Monib Zahdeh
TTR Staff Writer

Monib is a former staff writer for Top Ten Reviews. He has a degree in journalism and over four years of experience in the home and garden industry as a Digital Content Specialist for the made-to-measure marketplace Britannia Rose. When he is not reading or writing, Monib enjoys cooking, going on walks, and visiting different historical sites.