Comparison guide: Affordable Luxury vs. Luxury Grills (AOG vs. Fire Magic)
To close out our comparison guide series, we are going to compare luxury manufacturer Fire Magic to their affordable luxury line AOG.
With so many grills on the market, it can be hard to understand why one is priced higher or lower than the other or what upgrades you get for paying a luxury price. In our comparison guide series, we have simplified the buying process for you and laid out distinct differences and similarities to help you make a decision that's right for you.
After reading this guide, you will have an understanding of the differences between both AOG and Fire Magic grill lines and the various models within each line.
The difference between the two grills will soon be apparent as we breakdown the key features of each grill for you to help narrow down your decision when purchasing your next grill.
Affordable Luxury: AOG
Fire Magic designs and manufactures the affordable luxury grill AOG, providing you with a grill that remains high in quality at a lower price point. They are made in the USA and built to last with unparalleled performance.
AOG grills come in 3 sizes, 24” (2 burners), 30” (3 burners) and 36” (3 burners). AOG offers two different series, their T series, is the most basic and affordable, without the bells and whistles and their L series, which includes upgraded features.
The main difference between the T Series and the L Series is the ignition, lighting and optional upgraded features.
First, let's take a look at the similarities between the two.
(Left to Right: AOG T series and L series)
Similarities:
All AOG grills are crafted with heavy duty 304 stainless steel for quality and durability. They are with a stylish, sleek appearance, double lined hood and custom designed analog thermometer on the hood with polished bezel. AOG grills come in 3 different sizes, 24”, 30”, and 36”. They contain advanced high quality 304 series stainless steel U burners that emit up to 32,000-50,000 BTUs and diamond sear stainless steel cooking grids that are flat on top to allow for more food to surface contact.
Other similarities include, stainless steel vaporizer panels for even heat distribution and to help avoid flare ups, add smoke infused flavor and catch grease, a warming rack, solid brass valves for temperature control and an optional rotisserie backburner (10,000-12,000 BTUs), that lays flush at the back of the grill with a stainless steel mesh coating and rotisserie kit (not available on -OOSP grills) and the slide out drip tray.
Both can be purchased either built in or on carts. AOG offers a lifetime warranty on their stainless steel burners, (as long as the original purchaser owns the grill). All AOG grill parts (excluding ignition systems, accessories, infrared burner, and vaporizer panels) are warranted for ten years, infrared burners and vaporizer panels are warranted for three years and ignition systems (excluding batteries on L series) and accessories (including side burners, motors, and thermometers) are warranted for one year.
Differences:
As stated before, AOG grills offer two different series, the T series and the L series. One of the main differences between the two is the ignition. The T Series model uses a “rapid light” piezo ignition system, firing up your grill much quicker and eliminating the need for electricity (no power). The L series model uses an electric spark ignition, with an electric push button, using electricity to power the ignition (120 Volt AC). The second difference between the two is lighting.
The L series comes with interior halogen lights that are controlled by a push button located on the side of the grill and LED lighting over the knobs. The T series do not include interior lighting or knob lighting. Lastly, you have the option to replace a standard burner and upgrade to an infrared burner only on the L series, not the T series.
AOG grills are said to be a bit easier to use because of their basic construction, which also makes them more affordable. Now let's take a look at Fire Magic and breakdown the different series they have and the features each grill has to offer.
Luxury: Fire Magic
Fire Magic grills are known to be some of the finest grills on the market and are manufactured in the USA. Fire Magic combines stylish design, luxury, and craftsmanship with superior performance making it a top contender in the luxury grill category. Fire Magic grills offer performance, durability and quality, upheld in both built in or freestanding options. There are three different series of grills within the Fire Magic brand, Choice (basic and most affordable), Aurora (upgrade features and price increase from Choice) and Echelon (top of the line and most expensive).
First, let's talk about similar features you can find in all Fire Magic grills.
Similarities:
Fire Magic grills are crafted with stainless steel and focus on superior design and quality. All Fire Magic grills are offered either built in or freestanding, made with a 90 degree double walled hood, a warming rack, diamond sear cooking grids, flavor grids and a slide out drip tray for easy cleaning. The diamond sear cooking grids are unique to Fire Magic. With their patented design, these cooking grids have a smooth flat top where each individual bar measures .35 wide at the top covering over one half of the cooking surface. This design is to optimally transfer heat from the burners to the cooking surface so food cooks faster and more evenly! All Fire Magic grills also come with flavor grids or “flame tamers” that are in a tent shaped design placed in between the burners and the cooking grates to help heat rise from the burner to the cooking grates, dispersing heat quickly and evenly, and flavoring the food by vaporizing juices to help minimize flare ups and grease fires. What Fire Magic grills stand out is the size of the grill. It has a much more depth in the fire box from the burner to the grates and contains an advanced heat distribution system allowing for even heat distribution, reduces flare ups and enhances cooking experience. Fire Magic grills also have the most BTU’s per square inch (from up to 1000 down to 200 degrees) and have more cooking area compared to grills of the same size.
All Fire Magic grills come with a lifetime warranty on their diamond sear and stainless rod cooking grids, cast stainless steel burners and stainless steel housing, a 15 year warranty on brass valves, inner liners, manifold assemblies and backburner assemblies (excluding ignition parts) and a 5 year warranty on flavor grids and infrared burners.
The distinct differences you will notice between the three models that Fire Magic offers comes down to sizing, burners, ignition, and upgraded features available. Let's dive in!
Choice Series
The basic and most affordable grill Fire Magic offers is the Choice series. It comes in 3 sizes, 24”, 30” and 36”, for built in models and only 24” in freestanding models. While the Choice series is constructed with durable, high quality stainless steel, it does not have interior lighting or lights on the control panel knobs. This series also does not have a spring hood assist (to make it easier to open and close the hood of the grill) and contains an analog thermometer on the hood of the grill. The Choice series contains a stainless steel U shaped burner that emits 46,000 BTUs-69,000 BTUs total and uses a battery operated turn to light ignition (no power required). There is no option to add a rotisserie to this series and as stated, the Choice series is more of your bare bones grill with no bells and whistles.
Aurora Series
The next step above the Choice, is the Aurora series. It is priced a bit higher, but includes upgrades in interior and exterior features compared to the Choice series. The first main difference with the Aurora is that it is offered in 3 sizes but 4 options, 24”(2 burners), 30”(3 burners), 30” (3 burners with larger cooking area), 36”(3 burners). The Aurora also comes in a gas/charcoal combo with 22” on the charcoal side and 24” on the gas side (2 burners). It’s constructed with stainless steel for durability and contains a double lined, spring assisted hood with an analog thermometer on the hood, however, includes an option to upgrade to a digital thermometer and meat probe. The second distinct difference with the Aurora is the LED backlighting knobs on the control panel that turn from blue to red when increasing the heat so you know when your grill is hot or still on. An upgraded feature you'll find in the Aurora series is the use of cast stainless steel burners that contain more burner ports and designed with a protective lip above the ports to prevent clogging from grease that emits 50,000-90,000 BTUs. Next, the Aurora uses an electric hot surface ignition, the most advanced and reliable lighting system available, which can also be lit using a match to light your grill manually. Simply push the control knob to activate the hot surface, turn up the gas and light your grill. Additionally, the Aurora offers an optional rotisserie kit upgrade, with a rotisserie rod that can be conveniently stored at the rear of the grill and a dedicated rear infrared burner that emits 19,000 BTU’s. Lastly, you have more options to upgrade your burners on the Aurora, like upgrading a main burner to a sear infrared burner which is great for searing meats! Both the main cast burners and rotisserie burners come with removable covers to keep the burners protected from debris when they're not in use. The Aurora series contains (2) interior halogen lights, however, the interior lighting is upgraded in the 30” (with a larger cooking area) and the 36” and comes angled towards the grill, making it even easier to see your food when grilling at night. Lastly, you have the option to add the magic view window to the hood of the grill that allows you to monitor your food without lifting the hood.
Echelon Diamond
The Echelon Diamond series is your top of the line grill. Because the Echelon series is a premium grill, the aesthetic and exterior of the grill is made with premium finishes and the control panel has a sleeker rounded design. The Echelon series comes in 3 sizes with 4 options, 30”(3 burners), 36”(3 burners), 36” (black diamond-all black) and 48”(4 burners). They include all of the upgraded features that the Aurora series has, including the blue LED backlit knobs on the control panel that turn from blue to red when increasing the heat, cast stainless steel burners, electric hot surface ignition, and spring assisted hood. When it comes to the diamond sear cooking grates on the Echelon, they are much more heavy duty and thicker compared to the Aurora. The Echelon also includes interior halogen lighting, 2 lights in the 36” and 30” and 3 lights in the 48”, but all sizes come with lights angled towards the cooking surface. Optional features that remain the same across the Echelon and Aurora series is a digital thermometer and meat probe, the magic view window, and to upgrade to the sear infrared burner (for FREE). Similar to the Aurora, the Echelon series is available with both an analog or digital thermometer but this series contains an option to upgrade to the digital touchscreen black glass control panel that includes a digital thermometer, timer and meat probe and has integrated smart technology that allows remote monitoring from your smartphone (via bluetooth or wifi).
But with the Echelon series being a beast of a grill, there are even more upgrades.
The Echelon series comes standard with a rotisserie kit with rear infrared burner backburner that emits 22,000 BTUs, and stainless steel cover. Next, is the integrated heat zone separators that allow you to cook at different temperatures across the grill for more versatile grilling. Lastly, the Echelon series comes with a charcoal/smoker basket allowing you to add a smokey flavor to your favorite meats.
As you can see, there are a ton of options when it comes to these two popular grill lines and various similarities but distinct differences. It’s a lot of information to digest, so to review, let’s break down the key differences between the different series within AOG and Fire Magic.
AOG
Size: Both the T series and L series offer 3 different sizes, 24”, 30”, and 36”.
BTUs: Both the T series and L series output 32,000 to 50,000 BTUs (24” 32,000 BTUs/30” 45,000 BTUs/36” 50,000 BTUs)
Cooking Grates: Both series offer unique heavy duty diamond sear cooking grates.
Ignition: The T series uses the “rapid light” piezo ignition system and the L series uses an electronic push button ignition.
Burners: Both models offer a stainless steel U burner, however, you only have the option to upgrade to an infrared burner in the L series.
Lighting: Interior lighting and exterior LED lighting comes standard in the L series and there is no interior or exterior lighting in the T series.
Rotisserie System: With both series, you have the option to add a rotisserie backburner (10,000-12,000 BTUs), that lays flush at the back of the grill with a stainless steel mesh coating and rotisserie kit. (not available on models containing -OOSP)
Warranty: All AOG grill parts (excluding ignition systems, accessories, infrared burner, and vaporizer panels) are warranted for ten years, infrared burners and vaporizer panels are warranted for three years and ignition systems (excluding batteries on L series) and accessories (including side burners, motors, and thermometers) are warranted for one year.
Fire Magic
Size: The Choice series is offered in 24”, 30” and 36”, The Aurora is offered in 24”, 30”, 30” (with a larger cooking area) and 36”, the Echelon series is offered in 30”, 36” and 48”.
BTUs: The Choice series emits 46,000-69,000 BTU’s (24” 46,000 BTUs/30” 57,000 BTUs/36” 69,000 BTUs), the Aurora series emits 50,000-90,000 BTUs(24” 50,000 BTUs/30” 63,000 BTUs/30” (with larger cooking area) 75,000 BTUs/36” 90,000 BTUs) and the Echelon emits 75,000-112,000 BTUs (30” 75,000 BTUs/36” 96,000 BTUs/48” 112,000 BTUs)
Cooking Grates: All Fire Magic grills contain diamond sear stainless steel cooking grates, but on the Echelon series, they are thicker and more heavy duty.
Ignition: The Choice series uses a turn to light ignition system and both the Aurora and Echelon use electric hot surface ignition.
Burners: The Choice series contains a stainless steel U shaped burner, while the Aurora and Echelon contain cast stainless steel burners. In the Aurora and Echelon series, you are able to upgrade to an infrared burner, and not an option with the Choice series.
Lighting: The Choice series does not contain lighting (interior or exterior), the Aurora has (2) interior halogen lights in all models but lighting comes angled in A660i and A790i and the Echelon has interior angled halogen lighting in all models (2 lights in the 36” and 30” and 3 lights in the 48”). Both the Aurora and Echelon have LED backlighting knobs on the control panel that turn from blue to red when increasing the heat so you know when your grill is hot or still on.
Rotisserie system: There is no rotisserie option in the Choice series, you have the option to add the rotisserie system in the Aurora series and the rotisserie system comes standard on the Echelon series.
Warranty: All Fire Magic grills come with a lifetime warranty on their diamond sear and stainless rod cooking grids, cast stainless steel burners and stainless steel housing, a 15 year warranty on brass valves, inner liners, manifold assemblies and backburner assemblies (excluding ignition parts) and a 5 year warranty on flavor grids and infrared burners.
Additional notable upgrades (from Choice to Aurora): The Aurora series comes with a spring assisted hood, you have the option to upgrade from an analog thermometer to a digital thermometer/meat probe and the option to add a magic view window to the hood of the grill.
Additional notable upgrades (from Aurora to Echelon): The Echelon series offers the digital touchscreen black glass control panel that includes a digital thermometer, timer and meat probe and has integrated smart technology that allows remote monitoring from your smartphone (via bluetooth or wifi), contains integrated heat zone separators that allow you to cook at different temperatures across the grill for more versatile grilling and includes a charcoal/smoker basket.
All the information regarding each grill can be overwhelming, but we hope that you now have a better understanding of the key differences between these two brands and the series they offer. Making the right choice for you comes down to the size you want, the additional features you're interested in, how much heat you're looking to generate and your budget. In our opinion, Fire Magic grills are hard to beat! While you can’t go wrong with either one of these grills, if you’re looking to elevate your cooking experience, the Echelon is the way to go. With the option to utilize smart technology for convenience, integrated heat zone separators that allow you to cook at different temperatures across the grill for more versatile grilling, and cooking surface size, the Echelon gives so much versatility! If you’re not ready to spend a luxury price, or just not interested in the upgraded features the Echelon has to offer, the Aurora is for you! If you’re set on your decision, head to the BBQ Depot to purchase your next grill today. If there are any questions or concerns when it comes to the features and functionality of either grill, we’re here to help! We pride ourselves on providing exceptional customer service to every single person who calls. Our number one goal is to help you find the grill that best suits your outdoor kitchen or patio.
Regardless of the goals you have for your outdoor kitchen or patio space, we can help you create exactly what you’re dreaming of — and then some. Contact us today to learn more about our product offerings, shipping times, and product availability.
