I've been grill shopping too. I narrowed my choices down to Lynx, Fire Magic, Twine Eagles and Alfresco. I saw all of these grills at local dealers. I did not consider Kalamazoo because of the high price, but I did research it on the Internet. All these brands have the reputation of being very fine grills (which should be the case in this price range) so it comes down more to a matter of personal preference rather than quality, build or performance issues, IMHO. Here are my impressions of each brand: Lynx -- I was very impressed when I saw this grill in person; its design is streamlined and elegant and certainly would win first prize for sheer beauty. It also has a nice set of features -- lots of BTUs/sq in of grilling surface, a multiposition, 3-speed rotis, an interior halogen light for night grilling, a spring-actuated lid assist, a smoker box (no smoker burner though) and the cast-brass main burners you mentioned. The pricing is right in line for this class of gas grills. It wound up being my second choice. Twin Eagles -- the Lynx dealer also carried Twin Eagles so I saw them side by side. Very similar features as Lynx, but not quite as pretty, not quite as many BTUs, and not quite as expensive. Like the Lynx, it's American-made of 304 SS, and the fit and finish appeared excellant. That's true of all the four brands I saw, and, I'm sure, also of the Kalamazoo, except that it's in a category by itself in terms of build and materials, as you would expect for the price. Fire Magic -- this is a very old company with an excellant reputation for selling very high quality grills. However, for the price, I think you could do better. IMHO, Fire Magic is lacking innovation in both the appearance of the grill, which I would rank at the bottom of this group and especially that tall, tear-drop shaped lid, and also in the ommission of such a desirable feature as an interior light. They sell a clip-on, but who wants that? All that, combined with distinctly higher pricing than the others (except for Kalamazoo) means you really have to want the special features they do offer--such as the ability to do charcoal grilling in the main burner compartments--to choose this grill. Alfresco (even though you didn't ask) -- this wound up being my first choice. I ordered an 30" LX2 cart model (the LX2 is the higher-end of their two grill lines) with one infrared sear burner, which was shipped today. I saw the Alfresco at the same store as the Fire Magic and there was no question in my mind. Alfresco was the winner. Why? The pricing is similar to my second-choice Lynx, but Alfresco has one feature that really iced it for me. The rotis motor is built into the grill and you can leave the rotis rod right in place while you're grilling other things. In all the other grills I saw, you have to store the motor and rod when not in use. With these others, the motor, when in use, hangs outside the grill and the rod penetrates through openings in the lid. With Alfresco, the integrity of the lid is not compromised in this manner, and you don't have to trouble yourself with storage or with installing the components when you start rotissing. It also makes for a much sleeker appearance. The warming rack has four positions, one of which swings it completely out of the way when you're rotissing so that you also don't have to worry about removing the rack. Also, unlike the Lynx (and like the Fire Magic), the Alfresco has a dedicated smoke burner right below its smoke box, another feature that's important to me. Plus, the Alresco is almost as nice looking as the Lynx. Still, if money were no object, I'd be mighty tempted by a Kalamazoo. Judging by the pix on the Net, they're built like a tank and those "dragon burners" sound like they'd survive more than a season or two in Hell itself. Not that you'd be using it there.

Just went to BBQ Galore in Orange County and got a history lesson on both Alfresco and Twin Eagles. Seems that both companies started out by establishing Lynx Grills in 1996. The designer and engineer left Lynx and started Twin Eagles in 1999 and designed and manufactured the high end grills for Ducane Meridian, CalSpas CalFlame, Maytag and Jade Dynasty. Twin Eagles came out with their own grill in 2003 based on their knowledge and experience from building the other grills. Alfresco was started by two salesmen of Lynx in 2001. Their design and engineering is based on the Lynx grill. I would definitely choose the Twin Eagles grill vs. the Alfresco grill. Their knowledge and expertise in the grilling industry seems to surpass Alfresco. Also, they have a really cool spring that makes the front hood easy to lift!

We bought a Ceramic Kamado grill/smoker. Wish I would have done this 30 years ago because I would still have the same grill 30 years later and wouldn't have gone through about 8-10 cheap charcoal grills. (Usually the $50 Brinkman water smoker grills) which last about 2-3 years and I just put them on their side and smash flat and throw them away. The Kamado is absolutely outstanding. You can adjust the temp from about 220 up to over 800 and everything in between. Can keep it at 220 for at least 12 straight hours without having to touch it. It is very stingy on charcoal use because it is nicely insulated with the little over 1" thick ceramic. Meat stays nice and juicy. is a perfect dry smoker, and water smoker. can turn it into a nice oven with a good Lava/Pizza stone. Has accessories to turn it into a outstanding Wok All in all it is the perfect BBQ/Smoker/Grill that should last a lifetime, and I mean a LIFE time even if you buy it in your 20s use it several times a month until you are in your 90s. If well taken care of it should be the only grill you ever have to buy. As for starting the charcoal. Using a "Weed Torch" connected to a small propane tank I can start this grill in about 30 seconds. Have it to 220 degrees for smoking in under 2 minutes. At about 350 degrees for basic grilling like chicken in about 4 minutes, and up to over 500 degrees for high temp searing of steaks in under about 6-7 minutes. With the vents on bottom and top wide open it acts as a blow torch inside and gets very hot fast. Using a weed torch for about 30 seconds or so lights the charcoal fast and uses no contaminates like lighter fluid so the coals are ready immediately just as soon as they reach desired temp. I have gone out to my Kamado, started it, go back to kitchen to get steaks, come back 6-7 minutes later and its ready to cook, throw on the steaks about 3-6 minutes per side depending on thickness and I am done in well under 30 minutes even if I need to clean out old charcoal and add a full batch of new. A full load of charcoal should last 3-4 grillings for steaks, or at least 12 hours if you are slow smoking a Boston Butt. The Kamado is really just about the same speed of use as a gas grill when using a weed torch. I bit more hassle just because of the use/cleaning out of charcoal but for the flavor difference it is well worth it. Gas grills just do not compare. Other charcoal grills do not really compare to a good Kamado. The one we got was from Costco, called a "Vision Grill" and only cost $540. Every bit as good, in fact in some ways actually better than the Big Green Egg and cost about 50% less. This is what it looks like. and this is weed torch

I can't directly help you, not having Alfresco (whatever they are), but I have an 11.5 year old inexpensive stainless 3 burners and grill by Charmglow via HD. It was made in Mexico. I believe I have replaced two burner tubes and 3 or 4 burner flame covers. I use it at least once a week year 'round. I'm afraid Charmglow is no longer in business but I just want to point out that stainless burners could be expected to last an extended period whether premium or not. I believe my replacement burners were in the $18 range. After the first year, the BBQ was always under a deck roof.