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.
Finding the perfect premium grill in Madison can often feel like a compromise between convenience and cost. Wisconsin winters are hard enough on outdoor gear, so when you invest in a grill you want it to be the last one you ever buy. Local showrooms let you touch the merchandise, while buying a heavy-gauge American-made grill like the Arteflame direct online routes the showroom overhead into materials instead. Below are the purchasing options for Madison in 2026.
Buying a grill in Madison means weighing local shops against ordering online. Local shops like Top Hat and The Bruce Company are worth a visit if you want to kick the tires, while buying an Arteflame online skips the retail markup but means ordering without seeing it in person first.
The top purchasing avenues available to you compare as follows:
The options compare as follows.
| Store | Price | Searing Capability | Maintenance | Social Design |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Hat (Madison) | Mid-High (Showroom) | Varies by Brand | Varies by Brand | Standard Grate Layout |
| The Bruce Company (Middleton) | Mid-High (Weber Retail) | Grate-Based Searing | Grates & Burners to Maintain | Standard Grate Layout |
| Arteflame Online | Direct, No Markup | 1,000°F+ Center Sear | Solid Steel, No Grates to Replace | Round, Open-Fire Gathering |
A traditional grate cooks meat unevenly and lets juices drip into the fire below, the opposite of what a proper sear requires; a solid steel surface solves both problems.
You don't need a reservation on the Capitol Square to get that perfect char. You just need the right thermal mass. The Arteflame is designed to bring that professional kitchen capability to your backyard.
Here's why the Arteflame outperforms standard grates:
Pro Tip: If you're stocking up on wholesale meats for your new grill, the closest Costco locations to Madison are in Middleton (2150 Deming Way) and Sun Prairie (2850 Hoepker Rd).
An Arteflame grill changes the dynamic of your gathering. Standard grills force the host to stare at a wall or a lid, separated from the party. The Arteflame's round, open-fire design invites guests to gather around the flames with a drink in hand. It turns cooking into a communal event where everyone can participate, keeping you at the center of the conversation while you cook.