
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.
Gas charcoal BBQ setups are incredibly convenient, especially for quick weeknight dinners. But while gas and electric grills offer control and speed, they often fall short when it comes to flavor and performance. Most gas grills top out at around 450°F, which simply isn’t hot enough to perfectly sear a steak. For serious grill enthusiasts, that means missing out on the rich, caramelized crust that only comes from intense heat and wood-fired flames.
Foods like seared steaks, juicy hamburgers, flame-kissed ribs, and even wood-roasted vegetables benefit enormously from the Maillard reaction—a chemical transformation that occurs around 600–700°F, creating deep, complex flavors. The Arteflame wood-fired grill reaches up to 1,000°F, making it the best tool for recreating that premium steakhouse experience at home. Unlike gas, firewood amplifies aromas, depth, and character in grilled meats—something gas grills simply can’t achieve.
Adding a wood-fired grill to your backyard arsenal isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity for anyone serious about BBQ. Here’s why incorporating a wood-fired grill alongside your gas setup elevates your outdoor cooking experience to a whole new level.
The biggest limitation of gas or electric grills is maximum temperature. Most residential gas grills struggle to cross 450°F. That’s well below the threshold for the Maillard reaction, which typically kicks in between 500°F and 700°F. The Arteflame grill, in contrast, reaches up to 1,000°F—blazing hot enough to properly sear a steak while keeping the inside perfectly tender.
With this kind of heat:
Wood combustion adds smoky undertones that can’t be replicated by gas. The natural sugars and oils in hardwoods infuse food with layers of complexity—ideal for proteins, vegetables, and even fruit. You can’t fake that with flavor chips or gas burners. This infused flavor profile transforms even simple burgers into gourmet meals.
Here’s what wood does that gas can’t:
Unlike standard grills, the Arteflame offers both a high-temp center grill grate and a surrounding plancha for even, indirect cooking. This dual-zone setup allows unmatched flexibility when grilling multiple items:
Whether you’re cooking for two or ten, this design ensures consistent results and minimal juggling during your grill sessions.
Gas grills rely on propane or natural gas—fossil fuels with fluctuating prices. In contrast, Arteflame’s wood-burning system can use wood logs or wood charcoal, both of which are more sustainable and readily available. Plus, using local firewood eliminates the need for constant gas tank swaps.
Benefits include:
The Arteflame grill isn't just about performance—it's also an aesthetic statement. Its sleek, sculptural design made from Corten steel adds a modern, elegant look to any backyard. Beyond grilling, it can function as a fire pit, making it the focal point of evening gatherings long after dinner is served.
Design advantages:
With a gas grill, the experience can become repetitive: turn on, preheat, grill, repeat. But wood-fired cooking introduces a more hands-on process. Every cookout becomes a creative event—from selecting the right type of wood to adjusting your flame height and managing temperature zones with a chef’s intuition.
This immersive cooking style:
If you’re already cooking on a gas grill, adding a wood-fired Arteflame grill isn’t just an upgrade—it’s essential for serious grilling enthusiasts. Where gas grills fall short in temperature and flavor, the Arteflame thrives. It reaches the searing 1,000°F needed for Maillard perfection, while the plancha side gives you flawless control to finish meats, vegetables, and even breakfast foods. Taste-wise, nothing comes close to what a wood flame can bring to the table.
Arteflame grills are 100% made in the USA, embodying premium craftsmanship and timeless durability. With their unmatched performance, iconic design, and flavor-enhancing capabilities, they give you a true steakhouse experience right at home. It's time to stop settling and start grilling like a pro.
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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