
Wood-Fired Grills: Buyer’s Guide, Woods, Tips & FAQs
Learn the best wood-fired grill types, woods, techniques, and safety temps—plus how to get a steakhouse sear at home with multi-zone live fire.
While gas and electric grills offer convenience, they come with clear limitations—especially when it comes to flavor, temperature, and that authentic sear. If you've ever struggled to get more than 450°F from a gas grill or ended up with bland, rubbery steaks, you're not alone. Perfectly seared steaks, juicy burgers, and rich, flame-kissed meats require more than convenience—they demand fire. Specifically, wood fire.
Only a wood-fired grill can produce the intense temperatures—up to 1,000°F—required for the Maillard reaction, which gives steak that irresistible crust and depth of flavor. That’s where the Arteflame grill excels. With its unique combination of direct flame cooking and a plancha-style cooktop, it allows you to sear and finish like they do at top-tier steakhouses. If steak quality matters to you, your gas grill alone simply won’t cut it.
Grilling with wood adds an extra layer of authenticity and flavor that gas grills can’t replicate. While gas is great for quick cookouts, wood-fire cooking opens the door to culinary experiences that electrics and gas units just can’t match.
The first major benefit of cooking with wood is flavor. When you burn charcoal or hardwood, the smoke naturally infuses meats with a deep, smoky richness that gas grills can never recreate. Think of that robust bark on brisket, or the slight sweetness from cherry or applewood smoke—it's everything gas is missing.
To achieve the Maillard reaction—the chemical reaction between amino acids and sugars that gives browned food its savory flavor—you need temperatures well above 500°F. Arteflame grills reach up to 1,000°F with ease, making them ideal for searing thick-cut steaks, caramelizing burgers, or locking in juices on bone-in pork chops.
The Arteflame’s design features both a center grill grate and a surrounding plancha (flat top) which allows for multiple cooking zones. This opens up a variety of cooking methods that include:
Wood grilling isn’t just about taste—it’s also about the experience. Cooking over fire connects you to an age-old culinary tradition, adding drama and ritual to meals whether you're hosting a backyard BBQ or just making weeknight dinner. And with the modern design of the Arteflame, it becomes a showpiece that guests will talk about.
Already own a gas grill? Perfect. A wood-fired grill like the Arteflame complements your existing setup rather than replacing it. Use gas for fast weekday meals. Turn to the Arteflame when you want to go all-in on flavor, presentation, or special occasions. With both grills, you're prepared for anything.
If you're tired of missing that steakhouse-level sear or struggling to infuse real flavor into your BBQ, it’s time to elevate your grilling game. Arteflame grills offer a unique blend of high heat, wood-fired flavor, and culinary versatility that no gas grill can match. Why settle for average when you can grill like a pro?
Every Arteflame grill is precision-engineered and 100% made in the USA, guaranteeing quality craftsmanship and long-term reliability. Whether you're hosting friends or dialing in the perfect steak for yourself, Arteflame turns your backyard into the place where flavor lives. And with the current charcoal BBQ sale, there's never been a better time to own one.
Bring steakhouse sear and flat-top versatility to the grill you already love. Arteflame’s engineered airflow fires the center grate past 1,000°F for a perfect Maillard crust, while the solid steel flat top handles everything your grates can’t—bacon, eggs, fried rice, veggies, and more—without flare-ups or extra pans. 100% made in the USA from US steel, it’s the one upgrade that turns every cookout into a “cook anything” experience.
Arteflame XXL 40" Flat Top Grill - High Euro Base
Arteflame ONE30 — 30″ One Series Flat-Top Charcoal Grill & Fire Bowl (Single-Piece CORTEN Steel)