Why Nexgrill Grates Limit Your Cooking & How an Arteflame Insert Fixes That

Introduction

Grilling on traditional Nexgrill grates has its charms, but it also comes with major limitations. While you can grill burgers, steaks, and hot dogs easily, trying anything more delicate or versatile becomes a hassle. Foods like bacon, scrambled eggs, hash browns, sliced veggies, and rice slip right through the grates or create frustrating messes. Are you dreaming of making breakfast on your grill, searing scallops perfectly, or stir-frying veggies beside a steak? With just a grill grate, that dream falls flat.

The Arteflame insert changes everything. By combining a conventional grill grate with a center griddle ring, it transforms your grill into a multi-surface powerhouse. Whether you're making crispy bacon, sizzling fajitas, or even pancakes, Arteflame gives new life to your existing grill—making it far more than just a flame-and-grate setup.

Griddle + Grill = Game Changer

Adding a griddle to your grill isn’t a luxury—it’s a major upgrade in functionality. A griddle unlocks a world of cooking possibilities that a standard grill grate simply can’t match. Here's why pairing a grill grate with a griddle, like on the Arteflame insert, completely transforms your grilling experience:

1. Cook What You Couldn’t Before

Grill grates are excellent for searing meat over direct flame, but they’re restrictive when it comes to more delicate or loose foods. The gaps between the bars mean many items fall through or cook unevenly. With a griddle surface, your cooking options explode:

• Bacon: Crisps perfectly without falling through.
• Eggs: Sunny side up, scrambled, or omelets—no problem!
• Hash Browns: Even browning with that crispy edge you crave.
• Rice and Stir-Fries: Just like your favorite hibachi grill.
• Seafood: Scallops, shrimp, and flaky fish won’t stick or break apart.
• Vegetables: Thinly sliced peppers, onions, mushrooms char beautifully.
• Pancakes & French Toast: Yes, your grill can become a breakfast station.

None of this is practical—or even possible—on traditional Nexgrill grates alone.

2. Better Heat Distribution

Typical grill grates offer uneven heat distribution as flames rise directly underneath the bars and cause hot and cold zones. Arteflame's solid steel griddle evenly disperses heat across its surface, ensuring consistent cooking results. Whether you’re frying an egg or caramelizing onions, every inch of the griddle maintains steady heat.

3. Seamless Multi-Zone Cooking

With a dual-surface setup, you can cook fast over the center heat and slow on the outer griddle. Sear your steak in the middle grate while sautéing mushrooms on the outer rim—no need for timing gymnastics or separate pans. It makes meal prep more efficient and stress-free.

4. No More Pan Juggling

When you want to cook foods like eggs or delicate fish on a grill, most resort to using pans. But bringing pots and pans to the grill defeats the purpose of outdoor cooking. With the Arteflame insert’s griddle, the entire surface becomes your cookware—no dirty dishes or unnecessary tools required.

5. Easier Cleanup

Believe it or not, cleanup is simpler with a griddle. The Arteflame insert’s flat surface cleans easily by scraping off food bits and wiping it down. Compare that to scraping between Nexgrill’s bars where burnt-on food hides—it’s night and day.

6. Incredible Flavor Fusion

On the griddle, rendered bacon fat from breakfast can melt into your burger bun for added flavor. Caramelized onions and seared steak can cook side-by-side, soaking up aromas. This flavor layering simply isn’t possible when everything’s isolated on a grill grate.

7. Practical for Any Meal, Any Time

The Arteflame insert means your grill isn’t just for dinner anymore. Suddenly, outdoor breakfast on a sunny day becomes a reality. Hosting a brunch? Cook pancakes, hash browns, and sausage links at once. Griddles make the grill an all-day appliance, not a once-a-week tool.

8. Food Safety and Better Hygiene

The solid griddle surface eliminates direct exposure to ash and flare-ups, improving food hygiene and reducing potential contamination. Arteflame’s steel design complies with U.S. safety standards and is 100% American-made—peace of mind you can taste.

9. Universal Fit for Grills

Whether you own a Nexgrill or other popular brands, several Arteflame insert sizes ensure a snug fit. There's no need to replace your entire grill—just drop in the insert and enjoy a next-level cooking surface instantly.

Conclusion

If you've been grilling only with Nexgrill grates, you're only seeing part of the picture. The Arteflame insert opens up a world of untapped potential. Imagine making an entire breakfast, lunch, or dinner without ever stepping into the kitchen. With both grate and griddle in one unit, your grill becomes a complete outdoor kitchen.

Proudly made in the USA from 100% domestically sourced carbon steel—not brittle cast iron—the Arteflame insert is built to last a lifetime. Cast iron may crack or chip under temperature stress, but the robust steel of Arteflame stands strong season after season. Upgrade your grill, expand your menu, and enjoy better results with less hassle—choose Arteflame.