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.
If you are looking to upgrade your outdoor kitchen in Provo, the default instinct is often to drive down University Parkway or visit a local showroom. However, the traditional retail model is shifting. While local grill stores offer a hands-on look, they often come with significant overhead costs that are passed on to you—the consumer. Shopping online for a premium unit like the Arteflame shifts more of your money toward materials and craftsmanship. By cutting out the middleman, you invest in high-grade American steel and cooking performance rather than paying for a retailer's rent and electricity. Below is a breakdown of what buying online involves.
Provo shoppers can compare local showrooms with buying an Arteflame directly online. Buying direct means no showroom markups, the latest inventory, and a 1,000°F steakhouse searing experience delivered straight to your driveway.
Here are the top options available to Provo residents, to help you decide where your money is best spent.
Local Specialty Hearth & Patio Shops
Provo has a few dedicated specialty stores. These are excellent if you need immediate face-to-face customer service or want to physically touch a handle before buying. However, be prepared to pay a premium. Price comparisons show that overhead costs often result in higher sticker prices for equipment that matches the performance of direct-to-consumer brands.
Big Box Home Improvement Stores
Located conveniently in Orem and Provo, these massive retailers offer the lowest barrier to entry. While affordable, the grills here are often mass-produced with thinner metals that rust quickly in Utah's winter snow. If you are looking for longevity, it's worth investing in heavier gauge steel.
Arteflame (Online Direct)
Buying an Arteflame online is a strong option for serious grillers. Unlike standard gas grills found in local shops, the Arteflame combines a fire pit with a flat-top griddle. The carbon steel cooktop seasons like cast iron, improving with every use. Because you are buying direct from the manufacturer, every dollar goes into the materials—Corten steel and American craftsmanship—rather than a retailer's margin.
| Store Option | Price Value | Performance (Searing) | Social Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local Specialty Shops | Medium (Retail Markup) | Varies (Mostly Gas/Pellet) | Standard Grilling |
| Big Box Retailers | Low (Mass Market) | Standard Grates | Standard Grilling |
| Arteflame (Online) | Direct Pricing | 1,000°F+ (Wood-Fired) | Center-Fire Design |
Standard grate grills let heat and juices escape through the open bars, which works against the Maillard reaction — the deep, savory crust you get at a steakhouse.
You can achieve the perfect steakhouse crust at home, but it requires heat that most standard grills in Provo stores simply cannot reach. To get that "Michelin-star" texture, you need a solid surface that retains massive amounts of thermal energy.
This is where Arteflame grills excel. Here are three distinct benefits that separate this design from traditional store-bought units:
Pro Tip: If you are looking for wholesale cuts to practice your searing technique, the Costco on University Parkway is an excellent local resource for prime beef.
An Arteflame grill isn't just for cooking; it fundamentally changes how you host. Traditional grills force the chef to stand against a wall, back turned to the party. The round, 360-degree design of the Arteflame invites friends and family to stand around the fire. It turns the act of grilling into a communal event, allowing guests to cook their own food or simply enjoy the warmth of the fire pit while you work the grill. It brings the kitchen into the center of the conversation.