Fire Magic (a brand of RH Peterson Company) has manufactured outdoor kitchen appliances in Los Angeles since 1937 — approaching a century of continuous US production. If you've heard the phrase "the last grill you'll ever buy," it's likely a Fire Magic Echelon someone was talking about. This guide walks through the three main lines, what makes the cast stainless E-burner different, and how to pick the right Fire Magic for what you're building.
What is Fire Magic?
Fire Magic builds premium built-in and freestanding gas grills, outdoor pizza ovens, and coordinated outdoor kitchen components. They pioneered the E-shaped cast stainless steel burner in 1959 — the same burner design (updated) still ships on every current Fire Magic gas grill. That level of design continuity is unusual in outdoor cooking and it matters: parts and accessories from 20 years ago still fit current models.
The three Fire Magic grill lines
- Choice — the entry Fire Magic. Uses stainless-steel U-shaped burners (rather than the cast stainless "E" burners on the higher-tier lines) but keeps the Fire Magic construction quality at a lower price. Check the Fire Magic spec guide on the product page for the current Choice model widths (C430 / C540 / C650).
- Aurora — the mid-premium line and Fire Magic's volume seller. Adds a rear infrared rotisserie burner, warming rack, backlit safety knobs, and hot-surface ignition. Available in 24" (A430), 30" (A540), 36" (A660), and 43" (A790) widths.
- Echelon Diamond — the flagship. Adds a digital thermometer, magic view window (a small tempered glass panel in the hood), interior halogen lights, and Fire Magic's fullest feature set. Available in 30" (E250), 36" (E660), 43" (E790), and 48" (E1060) widths.
Why the cast stainless E-burner matters
The E-shape distributes gas across the burner tube so heat radiates evenly across the entire cooking surface — no cold spots at the corners, no hot line running down the middle. Cast stainless steel (rather than stamped or tubular) handles decades of high-heat cycles without warping or burning through. Fire Magic warranties E-burners for the lifetime of the original owner.
Beyond the grill: Fire Magic outdoor pizza ovens
Fire Magic makes one of the more thoughtfully-engineered outdoor pizza ovens on the market — a proper insulated dome that reaches pizza-oven temperatures, sized to build into an outdoor kitchen island alongside the grill. If you're building a serious outdoor kitchen and you care about pizza night, this pairs beautifully with an Aurora or Echelon grill in the same island.
How to pick a Fire Magic size
- 24-30 inches — couples or 4-person households. Fine for weeknight cooking and small gatherings.
- 36-43 inches — the sweet spot for households that entertain regularly.
- 48 inches — Echelon Diamond E1060. Fits three whole chickens or a whole packer brisket with sides.
How to pick a line
If budget is the driver, get the Choice — same core Fire Magic construction at the lowest price. If you want the best value across the whole Fire Magic lineup, get the Aurora — the rotisserie burner and hot-surface ignition are worth the step up. If you're building a flagship outdoor kitchen and you want Fire Magic's fullest feature set, the Echelon Diamond is the answer — the magic view window and digital thermometer are meaningful upgrades, not marketing.
Warranty
Lifetime coverage on cast brass valves, cast stainless "E" burners, and stainless steel housing (Aurora + Echelon lines — Choice uses U-shaped stainless burners with their own warranty terms). 15-year warranty on backlit knobs. 5-year on all other parts. Coverage applies to the original purchaser — check the Fire Magic product spec guide on the product page for the current terms.
Fire Magic vs the alternatives
- Fire Magic vs Summerset — Summerset gives you 90% of the outdoor-kitchen build quality for 60% of the money. Fire Magic wins on feature depth and brand longevity (approaching 90 years vs 30-ish for Summerset).
- Fire Magic vs Lynx or Hestan — Lynx and Hestan are Fire Magic's direct competitors at the flagship tier. All three build excellent grills. Fire Magic has the longest continuous US manufacturing history; Lynx has the strongest brand recognition; Hestan is design-forward with distinctive aesthetics.
- Fire Magic vs Bull — Bull is a step down in feature depth and price. Fire Magic Choice is roughly Bull-tier. If Bull isn't quite doing it for you, look at Aurora next.
Shop the Fire Magic lineup or browse full outdoor kitchen packages. Reach out to our team if you're planning a full build and want to talk through the whole kitchen at once.
