Let's take a quick step back to reality here on the pie iron front.
Can we get a raise of hands for people that regularly use a 1600* temperature for cooking? I hardly consider a 1600 degree coal emersion the best practice to cooking anything in cast-anything. Do you set a dutch oven or a pie iron in coals deep in a fire that is 1600 degrees? What earthly food would cook well or efficiently at that temperature? Coal?
Realistically, you'd scorch the shit out of any food you put in temperatures that hot--even if you could get close enough with the 30" handle to put the thing in there.
I understand reality is a cruel mistress, but just because something CAN withstand an extra 800 degrees, doesn't make it any better suited for an application that, when used practically and for it's intended purpose, will never get anywhere near those temperatures.
So, in all practical application the aluminum is every bit as functional as cast iron....only mine will never rust or need seasoning