Fire Magic Echelon Review: Which Echelon Diamond Grill to Buy

Below: the three Echelon models side by side, a graded review of each, prices for every configuration, the features that set the series apart, what testers and owners report, how it compares with Aurora and what to know before you build the island.

The Echelon Lineup at a Glance

Echelon Diamond comes in three widths. All three use the same parts: cast 304 stainless burners up to 12 pounds each, Diamond Sear cooking grids over stainless flavor grids, a double-walled stainless hood, hot surface ignition, halogen hood lights and back-lit knobs. The size sets the burner count, BTUs and cooking space.

Echelon built-in sizes

E660i

30″

$8,101.80

E790i

36″

$8,694.90

E1060i

48″

$10,925.10

Shown to the same scale, so you can see how much wider each step is. Prices are starting prices with the analog thermometer.

How to read the chart. The construction is identical across the series, so you are choosing a gas grill by width, burner count and budget rather than by quality. The E790i packs the most BTUs per inch of grill. The E1060i is the only one with four burners, two infrared backburners and three lights. The E660i keeps the full Echelon design in the smallest island opening.

Specs from the Fire Magic product listings on bbqkitchenpros.com. All three run on natural gas or propane, chosen when you order.

E660i Review (30-Inch)

E660i built-in, hood open

From $8,101.80

E660i freestanding on cart

From $10,203.84

E790i Review (36-Inch)

E790i built-in, hood open

From $8,694.90

E790i freestanding on cart

From $11,196.00

E1060i Review (48-Inch)

E1060i built-in, hood open

From $10,925.10

E1060s freestanding portable

From $17,190.90

Echelon Prices by Model and Option

Each Echelon is priced by two choices: analog or digital thermometer, and a standard hood or a Magic View window. The infrared sear burner option adds no cost on any model. Prices below are for the built-in grills.

Prices on bbqkitchenpros.com, checked November 4, 2026.

What the Echelon Does Well

Every Echelon shares these parts. Here is what each one does and what it means when you cook.

Cast stainless burners

Burners cast from 1/4-inch thick 304 stainless steel, up to 12 lbs each, with a lip above the ports to keep grease out.

✓Why it matters: Thin burners are the part that wears out first on most gas grills. These are covered for life, so you should never have to replace one.

Diamond Sear cooking grids

Patented stainless grids with flat-topped bars instead of round rods.

✓Why it matters: More steel touches the food, so you get bold sear marks on steaks and small vegetables do not fall through.

Flavor grids

Stainless flavor grids sit between the burners and the cooking grids.

✓Why it matters: Drippings hit the hot grids and turn into smoke, which adds flavor and cuts down on flare-ups.

Infrared rotisserie backburner

A recessed infrared backburner under a stainless cover, with a heavy-duty rotisserie kit included: 11,000 BTU on the E660i, 13,000 on the E790i and two totaling 22,000 on the E1060i.

✓Why it matters: Radiant heat from behind browns a turning chicken or roast evenly, and you do not have to buy the rotisserie separately.

Smoker basket

A charcoal and smoker basket comes with the grill and sits over the burners.

✓Why it matters: Add wood chips for real smoke flavor on ribs or chicken without buying a separate smoker.

Magic View window

An optional window in the hood, $682.20 to $756.84 extra depending on the model.

✓Why it matters: Check the roast without lifting the hood, so you keep the heat in and cook times stay predictable.

Digital thermometer and meat probe

The digital option adds an under-glass display that reads three cooking zones and a meat probe, with a timer, alarms and smartphone monitoring.

✓Why it matters: Know when the meat is done from your phone, without hovering over the grill or opening the hood.

Double-walled hood and lights

A double-walled 304 stainless hood, halogen lights inside it and back-lit knobs with flame icons.

✓Why it matters: The hood holds heat evenly, and the lights and lit knobs let you grill after dark without a flashlight.

Freestanding and Portable Echelon Grills

No island? The E660i and E790i are sold on Fire Magic stainless carts with soft-close drawers, a soft-close door, fold-down side shelves and a tank ring holder. The 48-inch model comes as the E1060s portable. A cart adds $2,102.04 to the E660i and $2,501.10 to the E790i over the built-in price.

E660i 30″ on cart

From $10,203.84

E790i 36″ on cart

From $11,196.00

E1060s 48″ portable

From $17,190.90

Shown at the same height so you can compare widths.

What Testers and Owners Say

AmazingRibs, the barbecue site founded by Meathead Goldwyn, has published hands-on looks at two Echelon models, and its Pitmaster Club forum is where long-term owners report back.

The pattern matches the warranty: the stainless parts last, and the ignition and electronics are the parts you may replace.

Who Makes the Echelon

Fire Magic is made by RH Peterson Co., the Southern California company that started with Real Fyre gas logs for indoor fireplaces after founder Bob Peterson came up with the idea in 1949. RH Peterson bought Fire Magic in 1982 and also makes the lower-priced American Outdoor Grill (AOG) line. Fire Magic says its products are crafted in the U.S., and parts remain available for older grills. Compare it with other made in USA grills and luxury grills. The Echelon Diamond sits at the top of the line, above Aurora and Choice. For the whole brand, read our Fire Magic grill review.

Echelon vs Aurora

E790i and A790i, same 36-inch size

E790i

36″

$8,694.90

A790i

36″

$6,985.80

Shown to the same scale. Both use a 37 x 23 1/2 inch cutout.

Aurora is the series most Echelon shoppers weigh it against. Both use cast 304 stainless burners, Diamond Sear grids and hot surface ignition, and the 30 and 36-inch sizes share cutouts. Priced like for like at 36 inches, an Aurora A790i with backburner, rotisserie and infrared sear burner is $7,857.90, and the E790i with the same equipment is $8,694.90, a difference of $837.00.

Choose the Echelon gas grill for the digital thermometer, the infrared rotisserie and the 48-inch size. Choose Aurora to save money with the same burners and grids. Read our Aurora A830i review for more on that series.

Cutouts and Installation

Every Echelon built-in needs a 23 1/2 inch deep, 11 1/2 inch high opening. Widths are 31 1/4 inches for the E660i, 37 for the E790i and 50 for the E1060i. If your countertop overhangs the cabinet, the control panel needs a wider notch: 33, 38 3/4 or 51 3/4 inches. The grill needs a weatherproof 120V GFCI outlet with at least 15 amps, and the island needs vent openings. In a combustible island, add the insulating liner: 3176-52 for the E660i, 3186-52 for the E790i and 3185-52 for the E1060i. Fire Magic's spec guide and the owner's manual on each product page list the full requirements.

Warranty

Fire Magic also pays a labor allowance for the first two years. Full terms are at firemagicgrills.com/warranty.

Pros and Cons

Questions Owners Ask