
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 over a standard grill grate might feel traditional, but it comes with serious limitations. Foods like eggs, bacon, hash browns, rice, stir-fry, pancakes—even delicate items like shrimp or flaky fish—are nearly impossible to cook without falling through or burning unevenly. The rigid bars of traditional grill grates simply weren’t designed for these kinds of foods.
That’s where the Weber Gourmet BBQ System and Arteflame inserts come into play—but Arteflame goes a step further. Unlike the Weber system, which aims to expand grilling options slightly, Arteflame inserts completely transform your existing grill. Combining a central grill grate with a flat top steel griddle, an Arteflame insert lets you cook virtually anything. Suddenly, your grill becomes a fully functional outdoor kitchen. It’s more than an upgrade—it’s a revolution for your backyard BBQ setup.
A grill grate by itself restricts your cooking creativity. While it’s great for steaks and burgers, it leaves you unable to diversify your culinary options unless you have additional equipment—and that often means cluttering your patio with specialized tools or sacrificing quality. A combination of grill grate and griddle, however, opens a world of versatility and performance.
With a griddle, your grill transforms into a cooktop capable of handling:
Griddles made from solid steel deliver even heating across the entire cooking surface. Unlike hollow grates that leave hot spots and flare-ups, a griddle retains heat and maintains a consistent temperature. Whether you’re searing or slow-cooking, your food gets the same level of attention on every edge.
Arteflame inserts feature a circular dual-zone design—open fire through the center grill grate and radiant heat on the surrounding flat griddle. This setup allows you to sear protein at high temps in the middle while slow-cooking veggies or warming buns on the edge. Managing food timing is easier and more precise.
Cooking on a griddle allows grease to evaporate or channel away without dripping directly onto the flame, reducing carcinogenic flare-ups. Plus, everything stays on the surface—no unexpected char or burning from flare-ups under the grill grate.
Scraping charred residue out of a grill grate is hassle enough—now imagine a smooth griddle surface where a metal scraper and a quick wipe are all you need. No more fighting between the grates or burning your knuckles to clean.
Instead of purchasing a new grill or bulky accessories, the Arteflame insert retrofits your existing Weber setup. It’s a sustainable, cost-effective way to turn a basic barbecue into a high-efficiency outdoor kitchen without making compromises.
An Arteflame insert doesn’t just elevate your cooking—it commands attention. Picture your grill glowing with a multi-textured surface, sizzling breakfast on one side and searing steaks on the other. It becomes the focal point of your gathering, not just a forgotten appliance off to the side.
The Arteflame insert isn’t just another grill accessory—it’s a game-changer. By marrying the functionality of a flat top griddle with the robust searing power of a grill grate, it unlocks the full potential of your existing Weber grill. Foods you could never dream of making over standard grates now grill, sizzle, and caramelize flawlessly.
Proudly made in the USA using 100% American steel, Arteflame inserts uphold the highest food hygiene standards. Unlike brittle cast iron products prone to cracking, the carbon steel design remains tough, heat-resistant, and built to last a lifetime. Choose Arteflame not just for better grilling—but for smarter, longer-lasting cooking.
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)