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.
St. Petersburg's outdoor cooking season barely takes a break — between the Gulf breeze and the year-round patio weather, grills here work harder and rust faster than they do almost anywhere else in the country. That salt air is exactly why the store you buy from matters as much as the grill itself. Local showrooms are convenient for a test-touch, but they carry the cost of prime retail real estate in their price tags. Buying direct from a manufacturer like Arteflame strips out that markup entirely, which means more of your money goes into the steel and less into someone else's storefront lease.
St. Petersburg shoppers have a few realistic paths: local shops are worth a visit for anyone who wants to see a unit in person first, while buying direct from the Arteflame website cuts out showroom overhead. For pool-and-patio accessories and propane basics, residents can also lean on local retailers like Pinch A Penny or the big-box home improvement stores.
The options break down as follows:
The buying experience compares as follows across price, cooking performance, upkeep, and how well each option supports entertaining.
| Store | Price | Searing Capability | Maintenance | Social Design |
| Arteflame (Online) | No markup | 1,000°F+ center sear | Solid steel resists coastal rust | Round, host-facing cooktop |
| Just Grillin' (Custom Build) | Full custom outdoor kitchen pricing | Depends on brand installed | Varies by equipment chosen | Built-in, not portable |
| Pinch A Penny | Mid-range, narrower selection | Standard gas/grate | Grates need regular care | Traditional side-facing layout |
| Lowe's / Home Depot | Low upfront, costly over time | Standard gas/grate | Thin metal corrodes in salt air | Traditional side-facing layout |
Because a wire grate is mostly open space, heat and juice escape between the bars instead of building the crust a solid cooking surface produces.
The same result is achievable at home in St. Petersburg, but it takes the right tool. A standard grate lets fat drip away and heat scatter. An Arteflame changes the physics of the whole cook.
Here's why Arteflame outperforms a standard gas grill:
Pro Tip: For bulk charcoal and wholesale meat before your next St. Petersburg cookout, the Costco Wholesale warehouse in nearby Pinellas Park is worth the short drive for the better per-pound pricing.
An Arteflame doesn't just cook food differently — it changes how you host. Its round design pulls guests in around the fire instead of leaving them waiting on the patio while you stand alone at a grill against the wall. The fire bowl turns the cook into the host, so everyone gets to enjoy the warmth and watch the food sizzle. It turns a routine backyard BBQ into the actual event.