The designer of Lynx SRS sold Lynx and designed Alfresco, the lynx does not compare with the Alfresco. The Alfresco has a real smoker with its own 7,000 btu burner, Alfresco has a drop down control panel with an air baffle, Alfresco has an integrated rotisserie motor so that it does not hang off the side of the unit, the sear zone on the Alfresco has a channeled grate to return flavor to the product you are cooking, the Lynx uses the same grate over the sear zone as it does over the burner, the Lynx sear zone has difusser pads that reduce the searing area and on and on

Thanks, but we already decided purely on the basis of the way the burners are manufactured. also, we decided not to go with the sear zone anyway since we're more a grilled chicken and fish household than a grilled steak household.

I can say that my old Ducane is appx. 416 sq. inches on the main level, not incl. the warming rack. We have entertained for as many as 20 people and there were definitely times where I had to cook in stages. The new Firemagic is 660 sq inches (sitting in the garage) and I anticipate it being large enough although 1/3 of the bottom has the sear zone. I say if you can afford it go w/the 36. BTW, the comment above is one of the few things I dont like about this site. People who dont answer your question but instead only comment on what a poor decision you are making. (you should have gone with the firemagic LOL)

One thing to keep in mind with a large cavity, is that if you want to make 2 lamb chops, you have to use most of the burners to get the heat up. When I was growing up, my parents had a grill with two chambers. I don't know if anyone is make those, but I wish I had that.

Thanks. From a pricing standpoint, I could get two 30" grills for only $800 more than one 36" inch. So if 30" ened up being just too small, we could end up with 60"! Although that would definitely be overkill...I think.