
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.
Grilling on gas or electric grills may seem convenient, but those who’ve tasted food cooked over wood fire know the difference is unmistakable. Gas grills often top out at around 450°F, barely enough to activate the Maillard reaction—the chemical process that gives seared meats their irresistible crust and flavor. That’s why certain iconic dishes, like a perfectly crusted ribeye, juicy hamburgers with a smoky char, or thick-cut sausages kissed by flame, simply fall short on gas. A griddle for outdoor grill setups is only as effective as the heat it receives—and gas just doesn't get hot enough.
Arteflame wood-fired grills change the game by reaching temperatures up to 1,000°F, offering the power to sear steaks like high-end steakhouses. You can sear over the center heat and finish gently over the plancha, giving your meat maximum flavor and tenderness in minutes—not possible over a typical gas grill.
Adding a wood-fired grill alongside your gas grill introduces an entirely new dimension of outdoor cooking—from flavor to versatility and visual appeal. Gas grilling certainly has its place, especially for quick meals or weeknight dinners. But nothing compares to the visceral, authentic experience of cooking over live fire.
Wood-fired grilling imparts a depth of flavor that's impossible to replicate with gas or electric heat. The smoke from the wood interacts directly with the food, adding layers of complexity—especially to meats like steak, ribs, burgers, pork chops, and even vegetables like corn and bell peppers.
Great searing depends on activating the Maillard effect—a process that begins at about 500°F but reaches perfection well above 700°F. Most backyard gas grills cap at 450°F, leaving meats gray and underdeveloped in flavor. Arteflame wood-fired grills reach an extraordinary 1,000°F, making them the tool of choice for serious grillers.
At these high temperatures:
Arteflame grills feature a unique combination of open flame in the center and a flat plancha-style griddle around the edges, providing multiple cooking zones. This opens up new culinary possibilities with one single grill.
Already own a gas grill? Great—don’t toss it. Instead, supplement it with a wood-fired Arteflame to expand your outdoor cooking capabilities. Gas grills are perfect for quick weekday meals. Pair that with an Arteflame grill for weekend entertaining, steak night, or whenever excellence is the goal.
An often overlooked benefit—Arteflame grills are striking design pieces. Made from corten steel (weathering steel), they develop a rich patina over time and serve as a gathering focal point on your patio or backyard. Function meets form in the most elegant way.
If you’re serious about grilling—or simply serious about flavor—it’s time to look beyond your gas grill. While convenient, gas limits what you can truly achieve in taste, texture, and technique. An Arteflame wood-fired grill gives you the unmatched ability to sear at 1,000°F, cook meals with authentic wood-fired flavor, and elevate your outdoor cooking game entirely. Steaks taste better, sear faster, and deliver that unbeatable steakhouse quality right from your backyard.
Built 100% in the USA, Arteflame grills combine superior craftsmanship with premium performance. Make room next to your gas grill, and transform every cookout into an event worth remembering.
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)