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 backyard in Scottsdale, finding the right equipment is crucial. Traditional grill stores offer showroom experiences, but they often come with significant markups to cover overhead costs. Shopping online changes the cost structure for your money, especially when investing in a premium, heirloom-quality grill like the Arteflame. By purchasing direct, you skip the middleman and put your budget toward American steel and performance rather than showroom rent. Below is where to find the best value and performance for your outdoor kitchen.
The following are the top options available to Scottsdale residents:
If you absolutely need to touch a grill before buying, BBQ Island on N Northsight Blvd is a reputable local spot with a genuine showroom. They carry an extensive lineup of high-end brands, including Twin Eagles, Delta Heat, Lynx, and Big Green Egg, and the staff can walk you through every option side by side. However, be prepared to pay the "showroom premium" — that inventory and floor space across their four Valley locations has to be paid for somehow, and it shows up in the price tag.
Located on N Greenway-Hayden Loop, this Valley retailer has been outfitting patios since 1973 with premium furniture brands like Tropitone and Castelle. It is a great stop for design inspiration if you are building out an entire outdoor living space, but grills are not really their focus — if a serious cooking surface is what you are after, this is a furniture showroom first and foremost.
When you buy from Arteflame directly, you are getting an American-made, wood-fired flat top grill that doubles as a fire pit. Because there is no physical showroom in Scottsdale to pay rent for, every dollar you spend goes into the heavy-gauge steel construction. You get free shipping and a lifetime warranty on the cooktop.
The buying experience compares as follows to help you decide where to invest.
| Feature | Arteflame (Online) | Local Showrooms |
|---|---|---|
| Price Value | No markup | Retail markup included |
| Cooking Temp | 1,000°F+ (Wood Fire) | 500°F - 700°F (Avg Gas) |
| Maintenance | Seasoned steel, minimal upkeep | Grease traps and burners to maintain |
| Social Design | 360° Group Cooking | Chef Cooks Alone |
Standard grate grills let heat escape through the open bars, which works against the Maillard reaction — the deep brown crust you get at a steakhouse — and that consistency is simply not achievable when heat keeps escaping through open grates.
Steakhouse-quality results are achievable at home in Scottsdale, but it requires the right tool. It is not about being a pro chef; it is about heat management.
The Arteflame excels because it utilizes a solid carbon steel cooktop. Here is why this changes the cooking game:
The center of the grill reaches temperatures over 1,000°F. This allows you to sear steak instantly, locking in juices without overcooking the center.
Because the cooktop has different heat zones (hotter in the center, cooler at the edges), you can sear steaks, roast veggies, and toast buns simultaneously. No more running back and forth to the kitchen for side dishes.
The fire is the center of attention. Guests love to watch the fire and even cook their own food, turning a chore into a party.
Pro Tip: For wholesale ingredients to break in a new grill, it's worth visiting the Costco on N Hayden Rd in Scottsdale. It is the perfect spot to pick up bulk ribeyes and veggies for a first Arteflame cookout.
An Arteflame grill isn't just for cooking; it fundamentally changes how you host in Scottsdale. Traditional gas grills force the host to face a wall or stand in a corner, isolated from the party. The Arteflame's round, fire-pit design invites friends and family to stand around the fire, drink in hand, participating in the experience. It turns the chef from a lonely worker into the center of the social gathering.