Are Alfresco Grills Worth The Money?

With so many different brands out there, it can be hard to know where to start for your outdoor kitchen project.

One of the brands you may have come across is Alfresco - who are a grill and open air culinary products manufacturer that makes all of their products in the USA.

They are known for quality and extensive selection of integrated outdoor kitchen products, but they definitely come at a luxury price point.

As such, it's fair to ask whether or not Alfresco Grills are really worth the money!

To help you make an informed decision before buying Alfresco, we’ve created a guide that tells you everything you need to know about the company and its products.

Read on to find out if an Alfresco grill is right for you.

The Short Answer

At the end of the day, what's "worth it" or not is often in the eye of the beholder.

With that said, we think the best way to judge whether or not Alfresco justifies their price tag is to compare their products to other luxury and high-end grill brands.  And from that perspective, we think Alfresco does justify their price tag.

Their products are made with the finest materials, exhibit top of the line craftsmanship, and come standard with all the bells and whistles you'd expect from a luxury brand. Plus they're backed by a lifetime warranty. But more on that in a moment!

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About Alfresco Grills

Based in Southern California, Alfresco Open Air Culinary Systems was launched in 1999 and makes their patented Alfresco grills for the US market.

They have supplied huge commercial clients, but also specialize in culinary grade residential outdoor kitchens. Over the years, they have demonstrated a commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction.

In addition to the quality of their products, Alfresco is also known for their extensive selection of integrated outdoor kitchen products that you just won't find with other brands.

Every outdoor kitchen brand offers access doors and drawers (including Alfresco).  But Alfresco takes things a step further by offering products such as:

• Built-in food prep centers
• Trash and waste chutes
• Outdoor warming drawers
• Food warming stations
• Plating centers with garnish rail
• Outdoor sink and bar centers
• And more!

All of their products are proudly made in the USA - so no corners are cut when it comes to the manufacturing and design process of Alfresco products.

What Are Alfresco's Most Popular Products?

Alfresco offers a huge range of outdoor cooking products that are luxurious and restaurant-grade.

Their ALXE line of gas grills (available as Propane or NG fuel type) is their most popular product. The line includes built-ins and portables, and they are available in 30-inch, 36-inch, 42-inch, and 56-inch models.

The second most popular product is probably the Alfresco outdoor pizza oven.  It stands as perhaps the best pure gas fueled outdoor pizza oven on the market, available in a built-in or countertop configuration.

-----> Check Out Our Alfresco Pizza Oven Review

How Much Does An Alfresco Grill Cost?

As mentioned, Alfresco grills are very high quality and made for luxury outdoor kitchens, and this is reflected in the price.

Their built-in grills range from about $4,800 to just north of $10,000.

Freestanding grills on a standard cart begin around $5,600, with their largest product costing about $13,000.

Alfresco is the only brand we are aware of that offers a freestanding grill on a refrigerated base.  These grills are standalone and come with a couple of large drawers and a door's worth of refrigerated area.  A refrigerated base Alfresco grill will set you back between $14,000 and $18,000.

Again, these are luxury grills, so do come with a luxury price tag.

Alfresco Grill Key Features

Alfresco grills have many special features that add to the overall quality of the product.

These are the features that come as standard and do not include extra grill accessories that you can add upon purchase of an Alfresco gas grill.

Rotisserie

Their grills all include a rotisserie function as an internal chain drive mechanism, meaning that it is an integrated feature of the grill.

With the push of a button, you can cook multiple rotisserie chickens as you grill via a rear infrared burner.

It is also removable, so if you don’t plan on using it, you can set it aside for more space.

The warming rack can be set to 3 different positions to accomodate use of the rotisserie as well.

Sear Zone Infrared Burner

When you purchase an Alfresco grill, you're given the option to replace one of your standard burners with a Sear Zone™ infrared burner (here is a resource on how infrared grilling works).

This burner replaces the left most burner on the grill and is capable of reaching a scorching 1,500ºF.  At the same time, it can be set to about 300ºF on the low end.

This creates the opportunity to easily create multiple heating zones. You can see how it would be possible to quickly sear a steak over your infrared burner then move it to the other side of your grill to finish over a lower heat.

As mentioned before, there is also a warming rack on top of the grill that can be adjusted to different heights, which is another way to keep food warm or slow cook.

Double Wall Grill Canopy

The double walled hood on an Alfresco grill has two functions. First, it insulates the grill, so the exterior wall won’t get extremely hot.

Then, it also traps heat better to maintain a consistent temperature for more predictable cooking and reduced gas usage.

It's worth pointing out here too that the grill is hand welded with no mechanical fasteners used, essentially making your grill canopy one bespoke piece of steel.

Smoker Box

An Alfresco grill also has an integrated smoker box placed right in the center - a feature unique to Alfresco.

This smoker box is meant for some charcoals and/or wood chunks.  In integrated burner in the box ignites your fuel, then the smoke is funneled into your main cooking chamber for savory smoky flavor on your food.

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Ignition

You can light this grill very easily with just one button.

You won’t have to worry about lighting it yourself as it can be plugged into a power outlet and electrically ignited.

However, if your grill doesn’t reach a power source, you can still light it the old-fashioned way.

Interior Halogen Lights

A great tool for outdoor cooking with this grill is its lighting feature.

The interior lights inside the Alfresco grill help you cook in the dark as a long day of grilling draws to a close.

It’s also perfect for cooking in shaded areas and has an automatic shut-off feature, so the lights won’t burn out if you forget to turn them off.

Dials And Knobs

The grill has quality, well-built dials and knobs that are illuminated with amber lighting.

They are nickel-plated and weighted for durability and maximum control. They can also be removed for easy cleaning.

Construction

Every Alfresco grill is made from commercial grade 304, 18-8 stainless steel, protecting it from rust and weather damage.

It is a very durable material and means that your grill will be in great condition for years to come.

This includes the handle, which is rounded for smooth lifting and reduced scraping.

Warranty

Alfresco grills are also backed by a limited lifetime warranty:

Lifetime Warranty: all stainless steel parts manufactured by Alfresco (included burners & grill grates)

5 Year Warranty: briquette trays & drip pans

2 Year Warranty: parts and labor to repair or replace defects in materials and workmanship of stainless steel parts manufactured by Alfresco, briquette trays, & drip pans

1 Year Warranty: all other grill components

Alfresco Alternative - Artisan

Alfresco also manufactures a brand called Artisan, which shares a similar aesthetic with Alfresco and some core features.

If you don't find Alfresco grills to be worth the price tag, it's a very nice alternative that is still made in the USA.

We've done a deep dive comparison of Artisan vs Alfresco grills here, but the main points are that Artisan grills come with slightly less powerful burners, single walled grill hoods, fewer bells and whistles, and a 15 year warranty.

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Final Thoughts

Alfresco offers fantastic, restaurant-inspired grill products for home or commercial use.

The quality of their grills is reflected in the price, but you are getting exactly what you pay for with these grills.

It is a great product for any grill master and is the perfect addition to your outdoor kitchen.

Questions about Alfresco?  Give us a call or send us an email and we'd be happy to assist you!