
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.
If you've been grilling with a gas or electric grill, chances are you've struggled to achieve that deep, golden crust on your steaks or that unmistakable smoky flavor. These grills rarely exceed 450°F, making it nearly impossible to reach the high temperatures needed for the Maillard reaction—the process that gives meats their rich flavor and dark, caramelized crust. Foods like premium steaks, sizzling burgers, and thick cuts of meat simply don’t reach their full potential on gas alone.
The Maillard effect kicks in at around 300°F but thrives near 1000°F—far beyond what most gas grills can deliver. That’s where a wood-fired flat iron griddle like the Arteflame comes in. Arteflame grills hit searing temperatures upward of 1,000°F with precision, giving you restaurant-quality char that’s juicy, smoky, and utterly delicious. With a sleek plancha design and open wood flame, it’s the tool your gas grill is missing.
Owning a gas grill offers convenience: turn a knob and start cooking in minutes. But convenience often comes at the cost of flavor, texture, and grilling versatility. Here’s why adding a wood-fired flat iron griddle to your arsenal isn’t just an upgrade—it’s essential for any serious griller.
Nothing can replicate the complex, layered flavors that come from cooking over real wood fire. As the wood burns, it releases aromatic compounds and natural oils that infuse your food with a subtle smokiness that gas simply can’t mimic. You’ll notice the difference instantly in:
Gas grills top out at around 450–500°F, which just isn’t good enough for steakhouse-quality sears. For the Maillard reaction—the browned, savory crust found on perfectly cooked meat—you need temperatures approaching 1000°F. This is where the Arteflame flat iron grill excels. It delivers searing heat fast, creating that desirable crust on proteins within seconds. The wide, flat surface also allows you to finish the cook gently, using the outer plancha to keep the inside juicy while the crust sets.
Arteflame’s circular design encourages multiple temperature zones in one cook session. You can sear your steak at the center and then move it outward for slower cooking. Want to make breakfast outdoors? The plancha is perfect for cooking:
It’s like having a full kitchen, outdoors, above an open flame.
Arteflame grills double as striking backyard centerpieces. Made from Corten steel, they develop a rich patina over time, giving them an earthy yet modern look. When not in use, they serve as stylish fire pits—perfect for entertaining or relaxing by a warm fire. It’s a functional piece of art you won’t hide on the back patio.
A gas grill limits you to one cooking mode, which means one person doing one thing. Arteflame’s flat iron surface allows guests to gather, interact, and even cook together. It turns backyard grilling into a social centerpiece. Instead of being the chef in isolation, you become the entertainer and experience curator.
You don’t have to abandon your gas grill—in fact, keep it. But use it for what it does best: quick, low-heat cooks, warming sides, or prepping when you’re short on time. For your main events—those steaks, ribs, and burgers that mark a true cookout—you’ll want the fire and flexibility of a wood-fired grill. Having both allows you to match cooking method with menu for unbeatable control.
Gas grills are practical, but they’ll always be limited in heat and flavor potential. If you’ve wondered why your steaks never taste quite like the ones at a high-end steakhouse, now you know—the secret lies in the char, the crust, and the smoke. An Arteflame wood-fired flat iron grill reaches an incredible 1,000°F while offering a flat cooktop to finish proteins gently, locking in juices and flavor.
Arteflame grills don’t just outperform gas—they redefine what outdoor cooking can be. Made 100% in the USA with world-class craftsmanship, installing one in your backyard is more than an upgrade—it’s a transformation. When you combine the speed of a gas grill with the irresistible authenticity of wood fire, you’re ready to grill like a pro. Don’t settle; elevate.
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.
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