I have read the reviews for both grills and both are glowing in their praise. I realize both are made by the same company but what does the extra $1000 get me for the Aurora. My gas grill just died and we only need a small grill (2 people most of the time 4-6 people once or twice a month). I have been looking at the A430S or the 24" grill. Priced out they are $3800 vs $2800 both with one infrared burner. Any strong recommendations in favor of either? I greatly appreciate any guidance here, I only can do this once every 12-15 years ;-)
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Welcome to The Pit. I don’t know nothing about either. -
Why not take a look at a Saber (much cheaper) or a TEC (the technical leader but still in your range)? Both are full infrared, and well-reviewed (check the reviews on-site here).Comment
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Thanks, I saw the TEC at the BBQ place but to be honest the stand design left me wanting. I have no use for those s/s cabinets because where we live all they are good for is a nesting place for bees, scorpions and spiders. Also the grills for the TEC looked cheap and flimsy although I think if you mention them they must have enough good points to look again.Comment
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Welcome to The Pit. Sorry, but I can offer no advice.Comment
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Welcome to the Pit! I don't use gas myself, so no help on that decision unfortunately! Max Good 's reviews are top notch, though.
I found this comment: "Comparing AOG to Fire Magic is like comparing Mercedes Benz to Rolls Royce. One is exceptional; the other is magnificent. For example, although AOG doesn't have the heavy cast stainless E-burners of Fire Magic that can blast past 1000 F, it has 304 stainless tube U-burners that reach searing temps over 800 F. Everything is just slightly scaled back." in the AR reviews here:http://amazingribs.com/bbq_equipment...inch-gas-grillComment
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So I decided to go with the AOG with one infrared burner, in the 24 inch size. For the difference in price ($1200 cheaper) and delivery times (1 week versus 2-3 weeks). I went with the infrared burner to give me a searing capability and with the leftover burner, if the other one fails after 10 years and I have not managed to accidentally throw it away or otherwise lose it I can swap it out. I can use the money saved towards another wood BBQ and smoker for those times when I have the time and desire to do something that takes hours.
As I saw things the main difference was the warranty of 15 years for the U shaped stainless steel burner versus lifetime for the cast stainless burner (Aurora). My own experience has shown the burner has never been the first thing to go, its always the ignition system and the firebox. The ignition system was the first thing to go in all my other grills and that is only warrantied for a year. As for the Fire Box or whatever you would call it, that can rot out after 10+ years. To be honest if the fire box rots out the only solution acceptable to me is a replacement of the whole thing. It's not like I am going to dis-assemble the old unit and install the surviving parts in a new box. That's just not how I want to spend an evening or weekend (go figure). I decided for a patio mount because here the only thing you would keep in a cabinet is wasp nests, scorpions and spider webs (not all at the same time). My old grill had a cabinet on wheels and the number of times I moved it was exactly once, in 12 years.
Thanks everyone for their quick and kind advice. That alone is worth the price of membership.Comment
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