Crisp and Golden Mac and Cheese Cakes on the Grill
Turn yesterday's leftover macaroni into today's crispy, golden side dish with this easy wood-fired recipe.
Living in Bend means the outdoors is your living room, and cooking over an open fire is a lifestyle, not just a chore. However, hunting for the perfect grill at a local store often leads to unnecessary sticker shock. While traditional grill stores offer the tactile experience of a showroom, they come with significant markups to cover rent, staffing, and overhead. Shopping online changes where your money goes, especially when investing in a premium, American-made grill like the Arteflame. You get a quality product delivered straight to your door without paying for the middleman's electric bill.
Bend buyers can also buy direct at the Arteflame online store, which offers direct-to-consumer pricing that removes the showroom markup. While local spots offer variety, ordering direct means manufacturer-backed warranty support, free shipping, and access to the 1,000°F searing capability of the Euro-style griddle.
Bend Fireside
Located locally, this is a solid spot if you absolutely need to touch a grill before buying. They carry a variety of traditional brands. However, you will pay a premium for that showroom privilege, and their selection of flat-top social grills is limited compared to what you can find direct.
Standard TV & Appliance
A big-box option in town. While they have inventory, the experience tends to be transactional. You might find a grill, but the selection and staff expertise tend to be limited compared to dedicated outdoor-cooking retailers.
Arteflame (Online Direct)
Buying directly from the manufacturer offers value. When you order an Arteflame online, you get a grill crafted from US steel, designed to last a lifetime. Because there is no retail markup, your money goes into the quality of materials—Corten steel and carbon steel cooktops—rather than a salesperson's commission. Shipping to Bend is fast and efficient.
Steaming burgers on a standard grate instead of searing them means missing out on the Maillard reaction—that crispy, flavorful crust you usually only get at high-end steakhouses. A solid steel griddle also means you never lose vegetables through the grates.
You can absolutely achieve steakhouse quality at home in Bend, but you need the right tool. It's not about the chef; it's about the heat transfer.
Using an Arteflame grill comes with specific performance benefits:
Pro Tip: If you are looking for wholesale ingredients to feed a crowd on your new grill, the Costco on NE Hwy 20 in Bend is a great stop. The bulk ribeyes there are perfect for the high-heat center of an Arteflame.
An Arteflame grill isn't just for cooking; it changes how you host. The round design naturally invites friends to stand around the fire. Instead of you staring at a wall while guests mingle elsewhere, everyone gathers around the cooktop with a drink in hand. It turns meal prep into the main event of the evening.