
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 traditional grill grates may deliver delicious sear marks, but it also comes with serious culinary limitations. Ever tried cooking breakfast staples like eggs, hash browns, or bacon directly on grill grates? The food falls through, sticks, or burns unevenly. Delicate dishes like fried rice, shrimp, pancakes, or sautéed veggies are all but impossible without the right surface. A grill grate alone simply isn’t designed to handle these foods.
This is where the Arteflame Insert changes the game. By combining a traditional grill grate with a high-quality griddle surface, the Arteflame Insert transforms your existing grill into a versatile cooking powerhouse. Suddenly, your grill can handle everything from flipping eggs to smoking ribs — all while imparting rich flavors and unmatched performance.
Adding a griddle to your grill grate setup unlocks a world of flavorful possibilities. Griddles bring a smooth, flat cooking surface ideal for foods that would otherwise be off the table when using just a grate. When combined with the classic flame-kissed flavor of the grill grate area, you get a balanced cooking zone that's perfect for almost any recipe.
Here are the biggest reasons grill enthusiasts are upgrading with a grill griddle smoker combo:
The griddle surface on the Arteflame Insert allows precise heat control and even distribution. This results in a perfect sear—locking in flavor while avoiding flare-ups that can dry meat out. Whether you're searing a steak or caramelizing veggies, the control you gain is game-changing.
With both a griddle and a grill in one unit, you basically double your grill’s cooking flexibility. You can cook meats and veggies simultaneously, keeping flavors distinct while feeding more people efficiently. Hosting becomes a breeze when you no longer need to choose between grilling and griddling.
The Arteflame Insert isn't just a griddle—it’s also part smoker. Thanks to its clever design, you can add wood chunks or chips to infuse smoke directly into your dishes. Now, smoked brisket, ribs, or cedar-plank salmon can share the spotlight with veggies and sides without skipping a beat.
The flat-top griddle surface prevents small bits and marinades from dripping into the flames, reducing flare-ups and grease fires. This contributes to cleaner, safer cooking — with way less cleanup afterward. Oils stay on the surface, making it easier to scrape off excess and giving you full control over what ends up on your plate.
The Arteflame Insert is made from 100% US Steel, offering far superior durability and resilience compared to traditional cast iron griddles. Steel is less prone to cracking, even under high heat or sudden temperature shifts, making it suitable for year-round use in all climates.
If you’ve been limited by what your grill can do, the Arteflame Insert offers a simple yet powerful upgrade that turns your standard grill into a full-featured grill griddle smoker combo — breathing new life into your outdoor cooking setup. It’s not just an accessory; it’s a redefining experience for anyone serious about grilling.
Made entirely in the USA, Arteflame Inserts meet the highest standards of food-grade hygiene and are crafted from tough, premium US Steel — not cast iron. Unlike brittle cast iron, which often cracks under pressure or temperature swings, steel delivers lifelong durability and consistent performance. Your grill deserves more than grates. It deserves an Arteflame Insert.
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)