Comparison Guide: Affordable Luxury (Artisan) vs. Luxury (Alfresco)
In the next series of this comparison guides, we are comparing Affordable Luxury grill Artisan, with Luxury grill Alfresco. As we’ve explained, Affordable Luxury grill lines were created by top of the line, high end grill manufacturers that meet the same luxury standards, offered at a lower price point. Just as Twin Eagles developed Delta Heat and Lynx developed Sedona, top luxury grill brand Alfresco developed Artisan.
Luxury grills call for a larger investment, however, they pay for themselves overtime in terms of durability, longevity and grilling power. Alfresco is a luxury brand, built with top-quality materials and careful precision, offering the kind of advanced features only other high-end brands can compete with. In order to stay competitive in the market, their affordable luxury brand Artisan meets the same luxury standards as Alfresco when it comes to construction, but there are many differences that set them apart. While both grills offer a high quality grilling experience, there are key differences that cater to the consumers needs and preferences. In this guide, we will take you through the main differences between the two models so you have a better understanding of which might be best for you and your grilling needs.
Affordable Luxury: Artisan
Artisan grills are the affordable luxury line of grills created by Alfresco and sit in the high end grill category. They have revolutionized the grill market by bridging affordability with American made quality and luxury and are known for their high quality construction, craftsmanship and engineering.
Artisan grills offer two series of grill products, the Artisan Professional and the American Eagle. Artisan Professional grills are priced a bit higher but offer more features than the American Eagle.
The American Eagle grills are a lower cost and more of your “bare bones” grill, offering less features but still a solid, high quality grill. Let's take a look at some of the similarities and differences between these two models.
Similarities
All Artisan grills are constructed with a 304 stainless steel body (single walled), double walled hood for insulation, spring assisted hood, and heavy duty stainless steel cooking grates with a non-stick polish finish.
The both utilize a stainless steel U-shaped burner that emits 20,000 BTUs per burner.
They contain Refractive 5 Way Heat Distributing Briquette Tray System with Lock bar where a radiant tray locks the briquettes into place. This briquette tray system helps eliminate hot and cold spots, delivers intense heat and is self cleaning. The unique Pyramid shape delivers an intense even heat.
All Artisan grills also contain an adjustable two-position warming and grilling rack that can be stored up and out of the way within the grill. Both grills come with stainless steel push button ignition integrated into the front control panel, making it easy to start up your grill with the push of a button.
The most unique features on all Artisan grills is the exclusive control panel air cooling curtain and the exclusive heat protected wiring. The air cooling curtain protects the control panel from heat with an air cooling curtain between the panel and cookbox, so your control panel will be cool to the touch along with protecting the electronics.
The heat protected wiring encapsulates the electrical wires with heat resistant silicone to protect the wires long term from heat damage.
With all Artisan grills, you have the option to add an interchangeable sear zone infrared burner (at an extra cost) with 20,000 BTUs that offers more intense heat and reaches 1500 degrees in four minutes. You simply remove one of your U Burners and change for the Sear Zone. Cooks food up to 50% faster
Differences
The Artisan Professional line can be purchased both built in and freestanding. They come in 3 sizes, 32”(3 burners), 36”(3 burners) and 42”(3 burners) and design features include (2) interior halogen lights and LED control panel lighting. They have an electrical ignitor (110 V), and stainless steel push buttons for both ignition and lighting.
The Artisan Professional grill comes standard with a rotisserie kit that includes a rear infrared rotisserie burner, rotisserie motor and rotisserie rod.
The American Eagle line is literally the "Best Bang for Your Buck" for a Affordable Luxury Grill Made in the USA. This line can be purchased in both built in and freestanding. They come in 3 sizes including a smaller size compared to the Artisan Professional, 26”(2 burners), 32”(3 burners) and 36”(3 burners) and do not include interior halogen lights or lights on the control panel. They use a 9volt battery ignitor and a stainless steel push button for just ignition. The last key difference between the two is that while the Professional line comes standard with a rotisserie kit, it comes as an additional accessory with the American Eagle line. You will have to use your main burners for your rotissing vs having the back-burner.
As you can see, Artisan has a very competitive line of grills with its durable construction and unique features. To see how it stands up against Alfresco, let's take a look at some of the key features that are similar and ones that set these two grills apart.
Luxury Grill: Alfresco
Manufactured in the US, Alfresco grills are a top of the line luxury grills brand built for unparalleled performance, made with the highest quality materials and level of precision. For decades, Alfresco had been designing and manufacturing commercial kitchen equipment for the world's finest restaurants, hotels and chain stores. Then in the late 90s, they introduced a new level of quality and luxury to the market with their restaurant inspired residential outdoor kitchen appliances.
Proven to be innovators in the grill market, Alfresco is well known for their impressive record of industry firsts, creating the first integrated rotisserie motor (more details below) and being the first cookware company to produce an outdoor pizza oven for built in applications and countertops.
Alfresco grills are ranked in the luxury category, which means they do come with a higher price tag but deliver in construction and durability, well worth it for any outdoor grill enthusiast.
Even though Artisan grills are premium high quality, contain similar design features and manufactured by Alfresco, the main differences you’ll notice come down to a variety of upgraded features, sizing, difference in burners, ignition and variation of outdoor kitchen products that Alfresco has to offer.
Similarities
Similar to Artisan grills, Alfresco grills are constructed with a high quality 304 stainless steel body (double walled) and are available in both built in and freestanding options.
Other similarities include double walled hood for insulation, (2) interior halogen lights (on Artisan Professional), Refractive 5 Way Heat Distributing Briquette Tray System with Lock bar that are self cleaning, the exclusive control panel air cooling curtain and exclusive heat protected wiring.
Differences
Alfresco grills offer 4 sizes, 30”(2 burners) , 36”(3 burners), 42”(3 burners) and 56” inch (3 burners). Instead of a LED light bulb, Alfresco grills use precision point control panel lighting that projects rich amber light exactly where you need them. The panel knobs are nickel plated, making them corrosion resistant and designed for precise maneuvers.
Alfresco grills contain heavy duty stainless steel cooking grates with a non-stick polish finish that ⅜ in, thicker than Artisan. The burners on Alfresco grills are 18 SR stainless steel U-burners that are titanium infused and emit 27,500 BTUs per burner. Alfresco burners use their exclusive Acufire heat system that are built into the 18SR grilling engine to deliver some of the highest temperatures in industry that are also backed with a lifetime warranty. While Alfresco grills also offer stainless steel push button ignition, they offer more controls with– ignition, lighting, and rotisserie– that are also ergonomically integrated into the front control panel with 110V AC power source, making it easy to start up your grill, lights and rotisserie motor with the push of a button.
Alfresco grills also have integrated their exclusive EZ Lift hood assist hidden in the side walls of the hood into their grills that allows the grill hood to remain extremely light when opening and closing and protects the coils from long term heat damage.
All Alfresco grills have a rotisserie kit integrated into their grills but they've created an exclusive Mega Drive rotisserie system that is built directly into the grill, so you don't have to worry about the hassle of getting your rotisserie assembled. This unique chain driven system is whisper quiet and does not require additional power to start, just the push of a button. The dedicated rear ceramic infrared rotisserie burner lays flush at the back of the grill and emits 1500 degrees.
You also have the option to swap one of the main burners for an infrared Sear Zone burner in 30”, 36” 42” sizes but will come standard on the 56”. There is also an adjustable warming and grilling rack on Alfresco grills but it is 3- position, allowing you to set your warming rack on different tiers.
Another feature that Alfresco grills have that Artisan grills dont is the Signature Taste Integrated Smoking System that contains a dedicated stainless steel burner with 5000 BTUs. The integrated smoking system includes a drawer to hold large chunks of wood and herbs, and linear diffusing vents that naturally eject smoke at 200º to the food zone.
As you can see, there is a lot of information regarding these two different grill lines and their different models.
Key differences between the two Brands:
Size: Alfresco offers 4 sizes, 30”, 36”, 42” and 56”, Artisan Professional offers 3 sizes 32”, 36” and 42” and Artisan American Eagle offers 3 sizes, 26”, 32” and 36”.
BTUs per burner: Alfresco grills emit 27,500 BTUs per burner, Artisan Grills emit 20,000 BTUs per burner
Cooking Grates: Both Alfresco and Artisan use heavy duty stainless steel cooking grates with a non-stick polish finish, however, the grates on Alfresco are thicker.
Ignition: Both Artisan and Alfresco grills use stainless steel push-button ignition. Artisan Professional also includes a push button for both ignition lighting and Alfresco includes push buttons for ignition, lighting, and rotisserie controls that are ergonomically integrated into the front control panel. Alfresco grills use a 110V AC power source, Artisan professional grills use a 110V electrical ignitor and Artisan American Eagle grills use a 9V electrical ignitor.
Burners: Both Artisan Professional and Artisan American Eagle grills have stainless steel U-burners, while Alfresco grills have titanium infused 18 SR stainless steel burners that have their exclusive Acufire heat system built into the 18SR grilling engine.
Rotisserie system: With the Artisan American Eagle model, a rotisserie kit is an additional add on. With both the Alfresco and Artisan Professional grills, they come integrated into the grill with a dedicated infrared burner. However, Alfresco grills has elevated the rotisserie kit with their hidden Mega Drive rotisserie system, a unique chain driven, whisper quiet system built directly into the grill.
Price: You can expect to pay anywhere from $1480-$2080 for the Artisan American Eagle, $1900-$2700 for the Artisan Professional and $5169-$9439 for Alfresco grills.
Warranty: For both Artisan models, a limited 15 year warranty and Alfresco offers a limited lifetime warranty.
There's no doubt that Alfresco has made an impression on the cooking industry, and their line of grills are no exception. With Artisan and Alfresco both being crafted with high quality and expert craftsmanship, you really can't go wrong with either grill. If you're on a budget and not concerned about the luxury upgraded features, Artisan is for you. But if you're a grill master who wants the works, Alfresco is your best bet!
Let us help you make the best decision! We have been selling Alfresco grills since 2004 and can help answer any further questions you might have and simplify your decision making.
If you have any questions, would like us to put together an outdoor kitchen appliance package to meet your needs, Complimentary Design Services or simply need further information on these products contact us at TheBBQDepot.com or call us at 877-983-0451. Happy Grilling!
