Why A Cast Iron Griddle Elevates Wood Fired Grilling

Introduction

If you've only ever grilled on a gas or electric grill, you're missing out on flavors that only wood fire can unlock. Gas grills typically top out at around 450°F — not nearly hot enough to create the delicious crust that defines a truly great steak or burger. This is due to the Maillard reaction, which needs temperatures around 500–600°F to properly develop that rich, caramelized outer layer on meats. Foods like perfectly seared steaks, juicy hamburgers, and charred sausages simply don't reach their full potential without intense heat and live fire.

This is where a wood fired grill like Arteflame transforms your outdoor cooking. Arteflame grills are designed to reach mind-blowing temperatures up to 1,000°F — perfect for capturing the steakhouse-level flavor you crave. Paired with a cast iron griddle for grill use, these grills provide the heat retention and surface area needed to sear, sizzle and serve perfection far beyond what a gas grill could ever provide.

Why Add Wood Fire Grilling

While gas grills offer convenience, adding a wood fired grill to your setup significantly elevates your grilling game. Here's why thousands of grillers are making the upgrade — without ditching their gas grills entirely.

1. Intense Heat Equals Better Flavor

The Maillard reaction, responsible for that crispy, flavorful crust on meats, happens best at temperatures above 500°F. Arteflame wood fired grills easily hit 1,000°F, allowing for immediate sear and beautiful caramelization — something gas grills struggle to achieve consistently. With high temps, you can sear steaks on one side and finish slowly on the plancha for that restaurant-quality result.

2. The Cast Iron Griddle Advantage

Arteflame comes equipped with a heavy-duty cast iron griddle which delivers superior heat retention and iconic sear marks. Cast iron distributes heat evenly and stays hot long after the flame subsides, perfect for:

• Smash burgers with crusty edges
• Crispy bacon and eggs cooked outdoors
• Charring vegetables to smoky perfection
• Blackened fish fillets or breakfast hashes

Unlike thin metal grates on gas grills, a solid cast iron cooking surface unlocks versatile options limited only by your culinary imagination.

3. Natural Wood Flavor Infusion

Nothing compares to the subtle, smoky flavor that real hardwood imparts to your food. Whether you're cooking over oak, hickory or fruit wood, each adds its own signature taste — naturally. Gas grills, by contrast, offer no such flavor benefit. Wood fire creates a rustic aroma that whets the appetite and adds authentic BBQ flair to everything you cook.

4. Multi-Zone Cooking Flexibility

Thanks to the round design and plancha plate on Arteflame grills, you can cook at varying heat levels all at once. Sear your steak in the center where it’s hottest, then transfer it to the outer ring to finish low and slow. It’s like having a full commercial kitchen outdoors — but with fire instead of gas lines.

5. Visual and Social Experience

Grilling over an open flame isn’t just about taste — it’s an experience. Arteflame's elegant, sculptural design doubles as a fire pit and becomes the centerpiece of any outdoor gathering. Guests are drawn to the flame, watching their meal sizzle while enjoying the primal allure of fire cooking. Try doing that with a gas grill!

6. All-Season Versatility

Because of the high heat the Arteflame can generate, it performs just as brilliantly in winter as it does in summer. Gas grills often lose efficiency in cold weather, but a wood fired grill powered by flame maintains cooking temps no matter the season.

7. Healthier Grilling

With a cast iron griddle, flare-ups are minimized because food juices vaporize on the surface instead of igniting through open grates. That means fewer carcinogens and more even cooking. Plus, you'll use less oil thanks to the natural non-stick properties of seasoned cast iron.

Conclusion

If you're serious about grilling, adding a wood fired grill to your outdoor setup is non-negotiable. Why settle for mediocre sears and lukewarm flavor when you can achieve steakhouse excellence right in your backyard? Arteflame grills are engineered for both beauty and performance — handcrafted in the USA and designed to reach searing temperatures of up to 1,000°F. The built-in cast iron griddle takes your cooking to levels that standard grates simply can't compete with.

Don’t just grill. Master the fire and elevate every meal. Invest in an Arteflame grill today — because once you've tasted the difference, there’s no going back.