Why a Grill and Flat Top Combo Transforms Your Outdoor Cooking

Introduction

Grilling with only traditional grill grates can be frustratingly limiting. Sure, they're great for juicy steaks and classic burgers, but try cooking delicate or finely chopped foods like bacon, eggs, hash browns, rice, or pancakes—and you're in trouble. These ingredients fall right through the gaps or unevenly cook, if at all.

That’s where the magic of a grill and flat top combo comes in. The Arteflame insert cleverly combines both surfaces—grill grate and griddle—in one revolutionary design. It instantly transforms your existing grill, breathing new life into it while unlocking an entire menu of previously un-grillable foods. Whether it’s breakfast outdoors or a teppanyaki-style dinner, the Arteflame insert gives your grill a new purpose and unparalleled versatility.

Why Both Surfaces Matter

The concept of combining grill grates with a flat top isn't just about convenience—it's about complete culinary flexibility. A grill and flat top combo opens a world of flavors, textures, and meals that simply aren't possible with open grates alone. Let’s explore why including a griddle surface alongside your traditional grill grate turns your backyard cooker into a full-featured outdoor kitchen.

1. Cook More Types of Food

The griddle surface allows you to prepare foods that would never survive over open flames. Here are just a few examples:

• Bacon – No more flare-ups or burnt edges.
• Eggs and Omelets – Cook them perfectly without falling through the grate.
• Hash Browns – Crispy on the outside, evenly cooked on the inside.
• Rice Stir-Fry – Traditional grilling can’t come close to this level of precision.
• Fish Filets – Cook delicate fish without it flaking apart and sticking to the grate.
• Vegetables – Enjoy diced or julienned veggies that won’t drop into the fire.
• Tortillas & Quesadillas – Warm and toast without burning.

With a flat top griddle combined with grill grates, your outdoor meals go from basic to gourmet.

2. Heat Distribution and Control

Flat tops offer better heat distribution across the cooking surface. Unlike grill grates that create hot spots and uneven sear zones, a griddle maintains consistent temperatures so you can sear, sauté, or fry with confidence. The Arteflame insert distributes heat evenly thanks to its precision-forged US steel construction.

3. Enhance Meal Timing and Prep

When you only have a grill grate, you're stuck waiting for one food to finish before starting another. A combination grill and flat top lets you multitask: grill burgers while sautéing onions and toasting buns on the flat side. Your prep becomes more efficient, and meals come together just as they would in a professional kitchen.

4. Authentic Flavors

Many overlook the flavor possibilities of a flat top. When bacon sizzles beside onions, those aromas mingle and season foods naturally. The select Marinades, juices, or fats don't drip and burn away like on open grates—they enrich your cooking area, infusing every bite with richer taste. This is flavor-built cooking at its finest.

5. Cleaner and Safer Cooking

Fat drippings and flare-ups can be dangerous, especially on traditional grill grates. A griddle surface eliminates that concern by containing the grease and reducing direct exposure to flame. It's safer and significantly easier to clean after use.

6. Multi-Meal Capability

It's breakfast, lunch, and dinner—not just BBQ. Want pancakes at sunrise and fajitas at sunset? The flat side of your combo makes it happen. Imagine flipping flapjacks, frying bacon, and scrambling eggs—all on your grill. It’s a new level of convenience that inspires spontaneous outdoor meals at any time of day.

7. Durable Investment with Arteflame

Unlike portable tabletop griddles or cast-iron accessories, the Arteflame insert is permanently reliable and built to endure season after season. It’s uniquely engineered to marry grilling with flat top cooking in one seamless piece inserted directly into your existing grill. So there’s no compromise—only potential.

8. Visual Presentation

Presentation matters. The flat top lets you do smash burgers with picture-perfect crusts. You can serve sliced sausage next to golden-brown potatoes and crispy fried eggs—right off the grill. That visual wow factor makes it ideal for entertaining.

9. Easy Maintenance

Arteflame inserts season naturally like cast iron but without the fragility. A quick oil wipe-down after each cook maintains the non-stick surface and keeps it ready for your next delicious creation.

Conclusion

The Arteflame Insert offers more than just a cooking upgrade—it redefines what your grill can do. Whether you’re expanding your menu or simply want to unlock new cooking styles, a grill and flat top combo makes it possible. No more missed opportunities like breakfast on the back patio or stir-fry under the stars.

Engineered and crafted in the USA, every Arteflame insert is made from 100% U.S. steel—not cast iron. That’s a crucial difference. Cast iron is heavy, brittle, and prone to cracking over time. Steel, by contrast, offers unmatched longevity and structural integrity. You’ll never need to worry about rust damage or breakage. Plus, our steel adheres to strict U.S. food-grade standards to ensure every meal is not just delicious, but safe.

Upgrade your grill with Arteflame. It’s not just another accessory—it’s a gateway to a whole new experience in outdoor cooking.