Alfresco vs Fire Magic Grills - Compared Side By Side

If you’re in the market for a new grill or outdoor kitchen, then you will have likely come across two specific brands, Alfresco and Fire Magic Grills.

Both of these definitely fall into the luxury category and are two of the top end appliance brands on the market.

Each are similar to one another in price point, however they do differ in terms of aesthetics, core features, and extra features.

If you need some guidance in comparing Fire Magic and Alfresco, you've come to the right place! We made this resource to compare and contrast the two brands and help you decide what’s the better fit for your outdoor kitchen project. We no longer carry Fire Magic grills, but we still get lots of questions about how they compare—so we’ll walk through that and also explain why we generally recommend Alfresco (and, in some cases, Lynx) if you’re shopping in this tier.

Overview Of The Brands

Before we actually go ahead and look at some of the key benefits and features of the products, let's have a quick overview of each of these brands.

Alfresco Grills

Alfresco is well known in the grilling industry, having been established in 1999. They have quickly become one of the most popular brands out there, being made exclusively in the United States.

Their grills are used in a whole host of well-known establishments, including TGI Fridays, California Pizza Kitchen, The Cheesecake Factory, and Applebees to name a few.

It is no surprise then, that the products that Alfresco produce are truly meant to provide a culinary grade experience for you - whether in a residential or commercial setting.

One thing that really sets Alfresco apart from other brands is their extensive offering of integrated outdoor kitchen products. Whether it's refrigeration, prep centers, trash chutes, or a simple access door, Alfresco gives you the option to create a truly customized outdoor kitchen.

You can either purchase freestanding grills from their huge range, or portable ones that are easy to maneuver.

They come in all sorts of sizes, with some standing at 30 inches, some at 42, and some reaching 56 inches wide.

They are all either fitted for natural gas or propane, with 2, 3, and 4 burners.

All of Alfresco's grills are made in the USA from 304 stainless steel, so are designed to stand the test of time.

Shop Alfresco Grills →

Fire Magic Grills

Fire Magic Grills are manufactured by R.H. Peterson, an American company that has been a staple in the outdoor kitchen space for decades.

All Fire Magic Grills are made in the USA and come loaded with features and a luxurious, modern look that integrates nicely into just about any patio setting.

They have a range of different kinds of grills on the market that aren’t limited to gas alone; they also have electric, charcoal, and dual-fuel models.

Their grill products are split into different series - such as the Echelon Diamond series and the Legacy series. Each series offers a wide range of grill sizes and features, from compact 24-inch models to large, entertainer-focused units.

Fire Magic is also known for drop-in grills that sit nearly flush with the countertop for a seamless look.

We no longer carry Fire Magic grills, but if you’re comparing brands in this tier, most customers who look at Fire Magic end up choosing Alfresco (or Lynx) for their combination of build quality, innovation, and overall cooking performance.

Alfresco vs Fire Magic - A Closer Look

Now that we’ve given you a good overview of both brands, and a brief history of each of the companies, we can move on to look at some of the grilling products produced by Alfresco and Fire Magic.

We’ve taken a closer look at a few of their most popular grills on the market below.

Alfresco ALXE 36-Inch Built-In Gas Grill With Rotisserie

 

Alfresco's flagship grill is their built-in ALXE gas grills - with the most popular sizes being the 36 and 42-inch options.

These grills can be configured for either propane or natural gas, depending on what you need at your set up.

ALXE grills are made from incredibly high quality material, constructed from 304 stainless steel which means that you’ll be firing up this grill for years to come.

It also has heli-arc hand-welded seams, with no mechanical fasteners to guarantee its durability. This means there is absolutely no heat or moisture escaping through seams.

Interior halogen grill lights and amber backlit knobs are included standard. A rotisserie kit and rear infrared burner also come with all ALXE grills!

One of our favorite features unique to Alfresco is their wood chip drawer. This drawer has a tiny burner that will heat wood chips, producing smoke, which in turn gets funneled to the main cooking area to flavor your food.

Features We Love

• 18-SR Burners - These stainless steel burners ensure that your grill will stand the test of time.
• Rotisserie System - So that you can easily place your meat on the rotisserie and have it heat all the way around.
• User Friendly Push Buttons - The ergonomic design of the push buttons make it incredibly easy to adjust.
• Smoker System - There is an area for wood chunks, which has been installed to make sure that you get the maximum taste out of your grilled meats.

Shop Alfresco Grills →

Fire Magic E790i Echelon Diamond 36-Inch Built-In Gas Grill

The Echelon Diamond series from Fire Magic has an incredibly beautiful & sleek design that makes it aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

Not to mention, it comes with the option to add a viewing window or an upgraded digital thermometer to the grill.

These features are unique to Fire Magic, and so is their cooking grate. Each of their grills come with cooking grates that are actually flat on the top, which maximizes the contact area made with your food. Ultimately, this leads to a stronger sear and more flavor on your food.

It has comfortable knobs that are designed ergonomically for your touch, with flame safety icons included.

In addition, it has a quantum back-burner which means you can get much more BTU heat for quick and efficient rotisserie cooking.

Features Often Highlighted

• Heavy Gauge Stainless Steel - For strong heat retention.
• Electronic Ignition - So you can start using it with ease.
• Large Cooking Surface - Plenty of space to cook for a crowd.
• Diamond Sear Cooking Grids - Designed to cook meat evenly and efficiently.

We no longer sell this model, but if you like the idea of a fully featured, high-heat luxury grill, Alfresco ALXE built-in grills deliver comparable (and in many cases, elevated) performance with a more versatile outdoor kitchen ecosystem.

Fire Magic A830i Aurora 46-Inch Built-In Gas & Charcoal Combo Grill

It's rare to find a built-in charcoal and gas combination grill, and Fire Magic has been known for this style of unit.

The product features their Diamond Sear cooking grids with smooth-top bars designed to transfer heat efficiently to the cooking surface.

One side is powered by gas fuel for ease and simplicity; the other side features a large charcoal tray where you can build a fire and cook over a smokey flame.

This grill also features interior halogen lights, which allow you to grill during those darker evenings outside.

Made of thick 304 stainless steel, it comes with a lifetime warranty that promises that this grill is built to last.

Features Often Highlighted

• 304 Stainless Steel Construction - Built for long-term durability.
• Generous Grilling Area - Ample space to cook a variety of items simultaneously.
• Charcoal Ignitor Burner - Makes lighting charcoal easier.
• Diamond Sear Cooking Grids - Help promote even cooking.

For customers who like the idea of dual-fuel versatility, we typically recommend building that flexibility into an Alfresco outdoor kitchen using a primary ALXE gas grill plus a dedicated charcoal or ceramic cooker. This gives you more control over each cooking style and often a better overall layout.

Alfresco ALXE 56-Inch Built-In Gas Grill With Rotisserie And Side Burner (ALXE-56-NG/LP)

Alfresco has a 56-inch all grill unit, but this one which comes with a side burner is one of our favorites.

As a side burner is one of the most popular outdoor kitchen products, Alfresco took it upon themselves to create one unit that is essentially a 42-inch grill with a side burner attached to it, all-in-one.

This product has once again been made from 304 stainless steel to guarantee its durability - and it's backed by a lifetime warranty.

It comes with all of the features you expect from an ALXE grill - ergonomically placed knobs that are resistant to corrosion, and placed accurately to ensure your ease of use. It also has a ceramic 5-way heat distribution system that completely eliminates any cold spots in your food.

LED lights are positioned above so you can see exactly what you’re doing.

Features We Love

• Rotisserie System - This system has an infrared burner to ensure that your food is cooked to perfection.
• 3-Position Warming Rack - This stores easily out of the way when you are using the rotisserie.
• High Intensity Halogen Lights - So that you can see clearly whilst you’re cooking.
• Stainless Steel Cover - So you can protect your grill once you’re finished using it.

 

-----> Shop Alfresco ALXE Grills

Shop Alfresco Grills →

Which Is Better: Alfresco Or Fire Magic?

Both of these grills are extremely high performing and will give you an excellent grilling experience.

If you want to know which you should buy, there are a few points to consider.

Price

Both of these grilling brands, being high-end, are on the pricey end of the spectrum.

They do however, pretty much match each other in price (depending on the model), so if you want to buy one, you’ll find that they pretty much cost the same amount.

Fire Magic and Alfresco's extra features are definitely different from one another, so at the end of the day the better value may come down to which features speak to you more.

It's worth pointing out here that both Fire Magic and Alfresco have sister brands - AOG and Artisan, respectively. Check out the below resources for more on how these brands compare:

• Fire Magic vs AOG grills
• Artisan vs Alfresco grills

Build Quality

Both brands are made from high quality 304 stainless steel and are backed by a lifetime warranty.

Alfresco differentiates itself with hand welded seams, which require no mechanical fasteners.

Fire Magic has focused on ease of use with features like lids that fold up to 90 degrees to provide easy access and ergonomically designed knobs with flame icons for safety.

In practical terms, if you’re deciding where to invest, we usually lean Alfresco thanks to their combination of build quality, integrated outdoor kitchen ecosystem, and unique features like the smoker system and refrigerated cart bases.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, it's hard to go wrong with either of these brands. There is a reason both have been around for a long time and are regarded as two of the top luxury outdoor kitchen brands.

With that said, each brand has their own aesthetic and unique set of features—and if you’re choosing where to put your money today, we generally recommend starting with Alfresco (and in some cases Lynx) for a modern, high-performance outdoor kitchen that’s easy to build around.

We no longer carry Fire Magic, but if you’ve been researching their products and want help finding the closest (or better) match in Alfresco, Lynx, or other luxury brands we do carry, reach out to us and our team of experts will be happy to help you design the right setup for your space.