Delta Heat vs Fire Magic: Choice, Aurora and Which to Buy (2026)
Delta Heat and Fire Magic both build their grills in California from 304 stainless steel, and both are on our list of made in USA grills. Delta Heat is the one our customers buy most: its 32 and 38-inch grills with a sear zone and rotisserie run $3,999 and $4,689. At that price, Fire Magic sells its Choice line. Its Aurora line costs about $1,700 to $3,200 more.
We sell both. This page compares the Delta Heat 32 and 38 with the Fire Magic Choice and Aurora grills at the same sizes, using maker specs and our prices, checked on November 3, 2026. New to either brand? Start with our Delta Heat grill reviews or Fire Magic grill review, then come back to compare.
Quick answer
For the same money, Delta Heat gives you more: the 32 with a sear zone, rotisserie and lights is $3,999, while the Fire Magic Choice C540i, with no lights, sear or rotisserie option, is $4,419. Step up to the Fire Magic Aurora, from $5,733, if you want cast stainless burners, Diamond Sear grids and hot surface ignition.
$3,999 vs $4,419Delta Heat 32 equipped vs Fire Magic Choice 30
$4,689 vs $4,787.10Delta Heat 38 equipped vs Fire Magic Choice 36
From $5,733Fire Magic Aurora built-in
Both USABuilt in California
Who Makes Each Brand
Delta Heat: made in the USA by Twin Eagles in Cerritos, California, in the same factory as Twin Eagles grills. Dometic owns Twin Eagles. One line, in 26, 32 and 38-inch sizes. See Delta Heat vs Twin Eagles.
Fire Magic: made in California by the Robert H. Peterson Company, based in City of Industry. Three built-in lines: Choice, the entry line; Aurora, the middle line; and Echelon, the top line.
Both brands are on our made in USA grills list, so the choice comes down to features for the money.
The 30 and 32-Inch Grills Side by Side
Most islands take a grill this size. The images are drawn to scale.
Spec
Delta Heat 32
Fire Magic Choice C540i
Fire Magic Aurora A540i
Built-in grill
Main burners
3 stainless U-burners, 49,500 BTUs; 2 on sear zone models
3 stainless U-burners, 60,000 BTUs
3 cast 304 stainless, 63,000 BTUs
Under the grates
Ceramic briquettes
Stainless flavor grids
Stainless flavor grids
Cooking grates
8 mm round 304 stainless rods
Diamond Sear stainless grids
Diamond Sear stainless grids
Main grate
525 sq. in.
540 sq. in.
540 sq. in.
Warming rack
239 sq. in.
240 sq. in.
240 sq. in.
Sear burner
20,000 BTU infrared on sear zone models
Not offered
Optional left-side infrared
Rotisserie
13,000 BTU infrared burner and 40 lb. motor kit on rotisserie models
Not offered
Optional 18,000 BTU backburner and kit
Ignition
9V electronic
Turn-to-light, no power needed
Hot surface, needs a 110V outlet
Lights
Halogen interior, blue LED panel
None
Halogen interior
Warranty
Lifetime burners and housing; 15 yr. grates; 1 yr. parts and labor
Lifetime burners, grids and housing; up to $120 labor for 2 yr.
Lifetime burners, grids and housing; labor allowance for 2 yr.
Cut-out (W x D x H)
30 1/2 x 19 3/4 x 9 1/2 in.
32 x 19 1/2 x 11 1/2 in.
32 x 19 1/2 x 11 1/2 in.
Grill only
$3,089
$4,419
$5,733
With sear burner and rotisserie
$3,999
Not offered
$6,341.27
The Choice C540i has more BTUs and Diamond Sear grids, but no lights and no sear or rotisserie option, and it costs $420 more than a Delta Heat 32 that has all three. The Aurora A540i adds cast burners, lights and both options, for $2,342.27 more than the Delta Heat with sear zone and rotisserie.
Torn between them?
Tell us your budget, how you cook and what your island looks like, and we will help you pick. Call Matt, the owner, at 888-678-3530.
Shop the Delta Heat 32Shop the Choice C540iShop the Aurora A540iThe 36 and 38-Inch Grills Side by Side
For a bigger island, the same pattern holds. The images are drawn to scale.
Spec
Delta Heat 38
Fire Magic Choice C650i
Fire Magic Aurora A790i
Built-in grill
Main burners
3 stainless U-burners, 49,500 BTUs; 2 on sear zone models
3 stainless U-burners, 69,000 BTUs
3 cast 304 stainless, 90,000 BTUs
Under the grates
Ceramic briquettes
Stainless flavor grids
Stainless flavor grids
Cooking grates
8 mm round 304 stainless rods
Diamond Sear stainless grids
Diamond Sear stainless grids
Main grate
625 sq. in.
648 sq. in.
792 sq. in. (36 x 22 in.)
Warming rack
239 sq. in.
288 sq. in.
288 sq. in.
Sear burner
20,000 BTU infrared on sear zone models
Not offered
Optional left-side infrared
Rotisserie
13,000 BTU infrared burner and 40 lb. motor kit on rotisserie models
Not offered
Optional 20,000 BTU backburner and kit
Ignition
9V electronic
Turn-to-light, no power needed
Hot surface, needs a 110V outlet
Lights
Halogen interior, blue LED panel
None
Halogen interior
Warranty
Lifetime burners and housing; 15 yr. grates; 1 yr. parts and labor
Lifetime burners, grids and housing; up to $120 labor for 2 yr.
Lifetime burners, grids and housing; labor allowance for 2 yr.
Cut-out (W x D x H)
36 1/2 x 19 3/4 x 9 1/2 in.
37 3/4 x 19 1/2 x 11 1/2 in.
37 x 23 1/2 x 11 1/2 in.
Grill only
$4,279
$4,787.10
$6,985.80
With sear burner and rotisserie
$4,689
Not offered
$7,857.90
A Delta Heat 38 with a sear zone, rotisserie and lights costs $98.10 less than a bare Choice C650i. The Aurora A790i is the bigger, more powerful grill, with a 36 x 22-inch grate and 90,000 BTUs, for $3,168.90 more than the equipped Delta Heat 38.
Building a bigger island?
Send us your layout and we will check the cut-out and gas line for any of these grills. Call Matt, the owner, at 888-678-3530.
Shop the Delta Heat 38Shop the Choice C650iShop the Aurora A790iHow They Cook
Burners
Delta Heat18-gauge stainless U-burners at 16,500 BTUs each, covered for life.
VS
Fire Magic AuroraBurners cast from 1/4-inch thick 304 stainless, covered for life.
Delta Heat and Fire Magic Choice both use stainless U-burners that run front to back and spread heat across the grate; Choice runs them hotter, at 60,000 BTUs on the 30-inch. Aurora steps up to cast stainless burners, which hold up to years of high heat and push 63,000 BTUs on the 30-inch and 90,000 on the 36.
Under the grates
Delta HeatCeramic briquettes store heat and burn off drippings.
VS
Fire MagicStainless flavor grids shield the burners and turn drippings into smoke.
Delta Heat uses trays of ceramic briquettes, which store heat and give it back evenly; flip them and let the heat burn them clean. Every Fire Magic uses stainless flavor grids that lift out for cleaning. Both cut flare-ups. Briquettes give steadier heat; flavor grids are quicker to clean.
Grates
Delta Heat8 mm round 304 stainless rods with tight gaps.
VS
Fire MagicDiamond Sear grids with flat-topped bars on every line.
Fire Magic's patented Diamond Sear grids come on Choice, Aurora and Echelon. The flat-topped bars touch more of the food for wide, clean sear marks, and Fire Magic covers them for life. Delta Heat's round 8 mm rods sit close together, which keeps shrimp and vegetables on top, and are covered for 15 years.
Searing
Delta Heat sear zoneA 20,000 BTU infrared burner built into sear zone models.
VS
Fire Magic Aurora sear burnerAn optional left-side infrared burner on Aurora grills.
Delta Heat: sear zone models swap one of the three U-burners for a 20,000 BTU infrared burner, so you can sear steaks on one side while the other U-burner cooks at a lower heat. It comes built in on the 32 and 38 with sear zone and rotisserie, at $3,999 and $4,689.
Fire Magic: on Aurora grills, the infrared sear burner is an option on the left side, covered for 5 years. On the A790i it adds $237.50 to the grill-only price. Choice grills do not offer one, so searing on a Choice is done on the Diamond Sear grids over the main burners.
Rotisserie
Delta Heat rotisserie13,000 BTU infrared backburner and a 2-position kit with a 40 lb. motor.
VS
Fire Magic Aurora rotisserieStainless backburner and heavy-duty rotisserie kit, as an option.
Delta Heat: rotisserie models include a 13,000 BTU infrared backburner and a 2-position kit with a 40 lb. motor that plugs into a 120V outlet. Set the spit in the front or rear position to fit the size of the roast. The sear zone and rotisserie models give you both for $3,999 on the 32 and $4,689 on the 38.
Fire Magic: on Aurora grills, the backburner and heavy-duty rotisserie kit are an option: 20,000 BTUs on the A790i for $634.50 more, and 18,000 BTUs on the A540i for $608.40 more. Fire Magic covers the backburner for 15 years. Choice grills do not offer a rotisserie.
At the same price, this is the biggest gap: Delta Heat includes both the sear zone and the rotisserie, while the Choice offers neither. The Aurora offers both, but as add-ons to a grill that already costs more.
Ignition
Delta HeatA 9V electronic igniter lights each burner, including the rotisserie burner.
VS
Fire Magic AuroraHot surface ignition glows to light each burner, with flash tube backup.
Delta Heat: a 9V electronic igniter lights each burner when you push and turn the knob, so the ignition needs no outlet; the lights and rotisserie motor run on 120V.
Fire Magic: Aurora uses hot surface ignition: a glowing element under each burner lights it as you turn the knob, backed by flash tubes, and it needs a 110V outlet. Choice uses turn-to-light ignition that needs no battery or power.
Lights and hood
Delta HeatHalogen lights under the hood and blue LED panel lights.
VS
Fire Magic AuroraThe optional Magic View Window lets you watch food with the hood closed.
Delta Heat: halogen lights under the dual-lined hood and blue LED lights behind the knobs for grilling after dark, with a hood assist that keeps the lid from slamming.
Fire Magic: Aurora has 12V halogen lights inside a double-walled hood that opens to 90 degrees. The Magic View Window hood lets you check food without lifting the lid and losing heat; on the A790i it adds $720.90. Choice grills have no grill lights.
Warranty
- Delta Heat: lifetime on stainless burners and housing; 15 years on grates; 5 years on briquette trays and gas valves; 2 years on all other parts; 1 year of full parts and labor.
- Fire Magic Choice and Aurora: lifetime on stainless burners, cooking grids and housing; 15 years on valves, liners, manifolds and backburners; 5 years on flavor grids and infrared burners; 3 years on other parts; 1 year on ignition, lights and thermometers. Fire Magic pays a labor allowance for two years; on Choice it is up to $120.
Fire Magic covers more parts for longer, including the grids for life. Delta Heat pays full parts and labor in the first year.
Which Should You Buy?
Choose Delta Heat if
You want the most features for $3,999 to $4,689.
You want a sear zone, rotisserie and lights in one package.
You like the steady heat of ceramic briquettes.
You want a year of full parts and labor coverage.
Choose Fire Magic if
You want Diamond Sear grids and a lifetime warranty on them.
You want cast stainless burners and more BTUs (Aurora).
You want a simple grill that needs no power (Choice).
You are building a Fire Magic outdoor kitchen with matching doors and drawers.
Our pick for most islands is the Delta Heat 32 with sear zone and rotisserie, the Delta Heat our customers buy most. If your budget reaches the Aurora, it is the better-built grill. For the top Fire Magic line, see our Fire Magic Echelon review; for the Aurora gas and charcoal combo, see the Fire Magic A830i review.
Compare Other Brands
Planning Your Outdoor Kitchen
- Cut-out: Delta Heat needs 19 3/4 in. deep and 9 1/2 in. high, at 30 1/2 in. wide for the 32 or 36 1/2 in. for the 38. The Fire Magic Choice C540i and Aurora A540i need 32 x 19 1/2 x 11 1/2 in., the Choice C650i 37 3/4 x 19 1/2 x 11 1/2 in. and the Aurora A790i 37 x 23 1/2 x 11 1/2 in.
- Swapping brands: the depth and height differ, so one brand will not drop into the other's opening without changing the island.
- Power: Fire Magic Aurora needs a 110V outlet for its ignition and lights; Choice needs none. Delta Heat runs its lights and rotisserie on 120V and its igniter on a 9V battery.
- Insulated jacket: check each install manual to see if your island needs one.
Send us your layout and we will check the cut-out, power and gas line for you with a free outdoor kitchen design.
Shop Both Brands
Both brands sell their grills built-in for an island or on a cart for a patio. Each row is drawn to scale.
Delta Heat built-in: our best sellers
32 in.Delta Heat 32-Inch Sear Zone and Rotisserie$3,999Our best-selling Delta Heat: sear burner, rotisserie burner and kit.Shop now
38 in.Delta Heat 38-Inch Sear Zone and Rotisserie$4,689625 sq. in. with a sear burner, rotisserie burner and kit.Shop now
32 in.Delta Heat 32-Inch Built-In Gas Grill$3,089Three U-burners and 525 sq. in. of main grate.Shop now
Delta Heat on cart
32 in.Delta Heat 32-Inch Sear Zone and Rotisserie on Cart$5,558The best-selling 32 on a stainless cart with side shelves.Shop now
38 in.Delta Heat 38-Inch Sear Zone and Rotisserie on Cart$6,418The 38 with sear zone and rotisserie on the cart.Shop now
32 in.Delta Heat 32-Inch Gas Grill on Cart$4,648Three U-burners on a two-door stainless cart.Shop now
Fire Magic built-in
30 in.Fire Magic Choice C540i Built-In Gas Grill$4,41960,000 BTUs, Diamond Sear grids and turn-to-light ignition.Shop now
30 in.Fire Magic Aurora A540i Built-In Gas GrillFrom $5,733Cast stainless burners with sear and rotisserie options.Shop now
36 in.Fire Magic Aurora A790i Built-In Gas GrillFrom $6,985.8090,000 BTUs and 792 sq. in. of Diamond Sear grids.Shop now
Fire Magic on cart
36 in.Fire Magic Aurora A790i on CartFrom $9,486.90The A790i on a cart with drawers and fold-down shelves.Shop now
30 in.Fire Magic Echelon E660i on CartFrom $10,203.84The 30-inch Echelon with rotisserie on a cart.Shop now
36 in.Fire Magic Echelon E790i on CartFrom $11,196The 36-inch Echelon with rotisserie on a cart.Shop now
Ordering your grill
Free shipping on orders over $99.99 to the mainland US, and 30-day returns on items in new condition in the original packaging (special-order items are final sale). Questions about your island or cut-out? Call Matt, the owner, at 888-678-3530.
Shop Fire Magic grillsShop Delta Heat gas grillsFrequently Asked Questions
Where are Delta Heat grills made?
In the USA. Twin Eagles builds Delta Heat grills in Cerritos, California, in the same factory as its own grills.
Where are Fire Magic grills made?
In California. The Robert H. Peterson Company builds Fire Magic grills and is based in City of Industry.
Is Fire Magic worth the extra cost over Delta Heat?
At the same price, no: a Delta Heat 32 with a sear zone, rotisserie and lights is $3,999, while the Fire Magic Choice C540i, with none of those, is $4,419. Fire Magic is worth it if you step up to Aurora, from $5,733, for cast stainless burners, Diamond Sear grids, hot surface ignition and longer warranty coverage.
What is the difference between Fire Magic Choice, Aurora and Echelon?
Choice is the entry line, with stainless U-burners, Diamond Sear grids, turn-to-light ignition and no lights or sear and rotisserie options. Aurora adds cast stainless burners, halogen lights, hot surface ignition and optional sear and rotisserie. Echelon is the top line, starting at $8,694.90 for the 36-inch E790i.
Do Delta Heat and Fire Magic grills come with a rotisserie?
Delta Heat rotisserie models include a 13,000 BTU infrared burner and a kit with a 40 lb. motor. On Fire Magic Aurora the backburner and rotisserie are an option. Fire Magic Choice grills do not offer one.
Which brand has the better warranty?
Fire Magic covers more parts for longer: lifetime on burners, grids and housing and 15 years on valves and backburners, with a two-year labor allowance. Delta Heat covers burners and housing for life, grates for 15 years and gives one year of full parts and labor.
Can a Fire Magic grill fit a Delta Heat cut-out?
No. A Delta Heat 32 needs 30 1/2 x 19 3/4 x 9 1/2 in., while a 30-inch Fire Magic Choice or Aurora needs 32 x 19 1/2 x 11 1/2 in., so the island opening would need to change.
Planning a built-in grill island?
Send us your island plan and we will spec the grill, cut-out and storage at no charge. Call Matt, the owner, at 888-678-3530.
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