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 outdoor cooking setup in Tampa often means fighting traffic on Dale Mabry Highway to walk a crowded showroom floor. Seeing a grill in person has its merits, but traditional grill stores carry significant markups to cover their showroom overhead. Shopping online cuts out that overhead, especially when you're investing in a premium, heirloom-quality unit like the Arteflame. Your budget goes toward thick American steel and searing performance rather than a retailer's rent. Below is a look at Tampa's top local spots and how shipping direct to your door compares.
Tampa's local grill scene is genuinely solid, and any of the three shops below are worth a visit for hands-on service. But if you already know what you want, buying direct means your front door is the delivery point.
The buying experience compares as follows, to see where you get the most for your money.
| Store Option | Price Value | Searing Capability | Maintenance | Social Design |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arteflame (Online) | No markup (factory direct) | 1,000°F+ center sear | Solid steel, no grates to maintain | 360° Round, Fire-Pit Hybrid |
| Just Grillin / Paradise Grills | Showroom overhead included | Varies by Brand | Grates and burners to maintain | Standard Box Design |
| The Outdoor Kitchen Store | Overhead costs included | Standard | Grates and burners to maintain | Standard Box Design |
The open bars on a standard grate let heat and juices escape, which is why grilled food often ends up steamed rather than seared. A solid steel cooktop retains and radiates that heat evenly, producing the deep crust the Maillard reaction is known for. Standard gas grills mean fighting flare-ups and uneven heat, often ending in grey, overcooked steaks. A solid steel cooktop changes that — the difference is closer to a fast-food patty versus a steakhouse plate, right in your own backyard.
You can get a steak that rivals Tampa's best steakhouses at home, with the right equipment.
Why does the Arteflame outperform a standard grill? It comes down to thermodynamics and design.
The center of the Arteflame reaches over 1,000°F. That's hot enough to trigger the Maillard reaction instantly, locking in juices that standard grates let drip away.
Graduated heat zones mean total efficiency. Sear steaks in the center while roasting vegetables and toasting buns on the cooler outer ring at the same time — no more running back and forth to the kitchen.
It doubles as a fire pit. Once the cooking's done, you don't hide the grill — you build up the fire and let the evening keep going around it.
Pro Tip: Stocking up for your first cook? The Costco on W. Linebaugh Ave in Tampa is a reliable source for wholesale briskets and prime steaks to break in your new grill.
An Arteflame grill isn't just a cooking appliance — it's a social anchor for your backyard. Traditional grilling puts the host behind a lid, staring at a wall, cut off from the party. The Arteflame's 360-degree round design invites everyone to gather around the fire, turning cooking into a shared event instead of a solo chore. It changes how you host, putting the chef at the center of the conversation instead of off to the side.