Napoleon
Napoleon Riverside Outdoor Fireplace, Electronic Ignition, Natural Gas
Napoleon Riverside Outdoor Fireplace, Electronic Ignition, Natural Gas
A 36 inch clean face outdoor gas fireplace with electronic ignition, made for patios, covered porches and outdoor living rooms. The Riverside 36 runs on natural gas and lights with the flip of a wall switch. Napoleon classes it as a decorative appliance, built for the look of the fire rather than as a source of heat.
Outdoors only, in a sheltered spot. Napoleon asks for at least 30% of the sides to stay open, 4 ft clear in front and a 72 in. minimum enclosure height. The enclosure layouts are in the installation manual.
What you get
| Model | Napoleon RSS36NE, Riverside™ 36 clean face outdoor gas fireplace, natural gas, electronic ignition |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Natural gas. The appliance is only for the gas on its rating plate, and a certified kit is required to change fuels. |
| Maximum input | Up to 50,000 BTU/hr on natural gas at 0 to 4,500 ft. Above 4,500 ft, Napoleon reduces the certified input by 4% for each additional 1,000 ft, unless your local authority says otherwise. This is a gas input rating, not a heat rating. |
| Gas supply pressure | 4.5 in. w.c. minimum and 13 in. w.c. maximum, with a manifold pressure of 3.5 in. w.c. |
| Size | 42 7/16″ wide, 37 13/16″ high and 18 1/8″ deep. Napoleon's framing size is 43″ wide, 38 1/4″ high and 19 9/16″ deep. The viewing area is 36 1/8″ wide by 30 1/16″ high. |
| Enclosure | Napoleon calls for a minimum enclosure height of 72″ from the bottom of the appliance. Keep furniture and other objects at least 4 ft in front of it. |
| Where it goes | An outdoor patio or yard, in a sheltered area with an overhead cover. Napoleon says it must never be installed inside the warm air envelope of a structure. |
| Venting | Napoleon lists an optional Heat and Exhaust Management Kit, RSOHEM, which must use approved B-vent components. A 36″ minimum vertical rise is the minimum practical size, and the drawing shows 40 ft as the maximum. |
| Ignition | Electronic ignition. About 3 to 5 seconds after you switch it on, the control sparks at the pilot, lights it and then lights the burner. |
| Controls | Wall switch included, with 20 ft of wire. An optional outdoor timer kit replaces the switch with a 30, 60 and 120 minute timer. |
| Power | Hard wired 120 V connection. Napoleon's rating plate shows 115 V, 60 Hz and less than 12 amperes. |
| Included | Burner and pilot assembly, grate, control module, wall switch box with switch, power cord transformer, stand with logo, vent cover plate, media tray cover, bottom finishing trim and firebox slot cover, as shown in Napoleon's parts list |
| Not included | Gas line, a log set or media, a screen, a weather cover, brick panels and any other optional kit. Ask us what ships with your unit. |
| Warranty | Napoleon Gas Appliance President's Lifetime Limited Warranty. Terms are in the owner's manual. |
Add to your order
Everything below is listed in Napoleon's Riverside manuals or parts list as a fit for the Riverside 36. Tick what you want and add it to your cart with the fireplace in one step.
Questions people ask us
Can I use the Riverside 36 outdoors only?
Yes, outdoors only. Napoleon intends the Riverside for an outdoor patio or in your yard and says it must never be installed inside the warm air envelope of a structure. It should go in a sheltered spot, because direct wind can make the flame erratic and can cause pilot or burner outages. Napoleon lists a covered patio, a screened porch, a gazebo or an outside wall of a house as typical places.
How much of the space has to be open?
Napoleon says at least 30% of the outdoor living space periphery must be open and unobstructed. The enclosure has to match one of its layouts: a partial enclosure with an overhead cover and no more than two side walls, a partial enclosure with an overhead cover and three walls where 30% or more of the horizontal edge is permanently open, or walls on all sides with at least one permanent opening at ground level and no overhead cover. The installation manual shows how to work out the percentage.
Does it need a chimney or vent pipe?
Napoleon's manual describes the vent system as optional. It lists a Heat and Exhaust Management Kit, RSOHEM, which must use approved B-vent components, supported every 3 ft on vertical runs. Napoleon calls a 36 in. vertical rise the minimum practical size, and its drawing shows a 40 ft maximum. Whether your space needs it depends on the enclosure and your local code, so ask your installer and send us your layout. You can add the kit in the add-ons below.
What gas supply does it need?
This listing is the natural gas model. Napoleon asks for a supply of at least 4.5 in. w.c. and no more than 13 in. w.c., with a manifold pressure of 3.5 in. w.c. when the burner is running. Napoleon says the appliance is only for the gas on its rating plate and that it can be converted only with a certified kit. Tell us before you order if you plan to run propane.
Is it a heater?
No. Napoleon's manual describes the Riverside as a decorative product that is not a source of heat, and says it is not intended to burn solid fuel. The 50,000 BTU/hr figure is the most gas the burner can use, not a heating rating. Choose this fireplace for the flame and plan any patio heating separately.
What comes with the fireplace?
Napoleon's parts list shows the burner and pilot assembly, grate, control module, wall switch box with an on/off switch, power cord transformer, stand with logo, vent cover plate, media tray cover, bottom finishing trim and firebox slot cover. Napoleon notes that some components and media are packaged separately. Ask us what ships with your unit. The gas line, a log set, a screen, a weather cover, brick panels and the timer kit are sold separately.
How do I turn it on?
Flip the wall switch on. After about 3 to 5 seconds, the control starts a spark at the pilot, lights the pilot and then lights the burner. The spark lasts up to 60 seconds or until the pilot lights. The wall switch comes with 20 ft of wire. If the installer has not already done the burn-in, Napoleon asks you to run the fireplace for 4 hours straight the first time, with good air circulation around it.
Can I put it on a timer?
Yes. The Outdoor Timer Kit replaces the wall switch with a wall timer that has 30, 60 and 120 minute buttons and an off button. The fireplace shuts itself off when the time runs out. It runs on two CR-2032 button batteries, and the kit includes a weatherproof box and flip cover. Napoleon says the timer should not be used with the weather cover installed. If the cover is on, the gas supply must be shut off. Pick it in the add-ons below.
Do I need an electrical connection?
Yes. Napoleon says to hard wire this appliance at 120 V, and its rating plate shows 115 V, 60 Hz and less than 12 amperes. All wiring should be done by a qualified electrician in line with local codes, and the 110 V supply must never be wired to the valve or the wall switch. Plan for an electrician as well as a gas fitter.
Should I buy a screen kit or a weather cover?
They do different jobs. Napoleon says the screen kit helps keep dirt and debris from collecting in the fireplace, and the weather cover protects the inside of the fireplace from the elements when it is not in use. Napoleon also highly recommends protecting the logs from rain and snow and covering the opening when the fireplace is idle. Both are stainless steel and sized for the Riverside 36.
What log sets and panels can I add?
Napoleon lists an oak log kit with charcoal and a birch log kit for the Riverside 36, and Newport standard and Westminster herringbone brick panels. Pick them in the add-ons below and they go into your cart with the fireplace. Napoleon also lists a splitwood log kit, porcelain panels and shale media, so ask us about those.
What size opening do I need to frame?
The Riverside 36 measures 42 7/16″ wide, 37 13/16″ high and 18 1/8″ deep, and Napoleon's framing size is 43″ wide, 38 1/4″ high and 19 9/16″ deep. The enclosure needs a minimum height of 72 in., and furniture and other objects should stay at least 4 ft from the front. The spec sheet and installation manual in the links below give every clearance, including the mantel clearances. Check them against your plan before you order.
Is this the natural gas or the propane model?
It is the natural gas model, RSS36NE. Napoleon lists conversion kits between natural gas and propane for it. Ask us for the right kit if you want to run propane. If you do, Napoleon says the propane cylinder must always sit outside the structure.
Goes with this
Manuals and warranty
Napoleon's terms cover the first 10 years at no charge for warranted parts, and from year 10 to life Napoleon supplies replacement parts at 50% of the current retail price. After the first year, Napoleon may choose to refund the wholesale price of a defective part, and installation and labor are not covered. The warranty does not cover damage from water, weather, long periods of dampness or condensation. The fireplace must be installed by a licensed professional in line with Napoleon's instructions, and parts from other makers void the warranty. Registering is not required to make a claim, but keep your proof of purchase, model and serial number. Read the warranty section of the owner's manual for the full terms.
Read the warranty terms · Our warranty library · Register your fireplaceEvery document is kept on our site, so the link works when you need it. More are in our Napoleon manuals and documents.
A note on the photos. Napoleon’s photography often shows optional logs, panels and covers, and the flame colors are shown by the lighting. What ships with the fireplace is listed in the What you get table, and anything else is sold separately.
Ask us about your install