Why Every Gas Grill Owner Needs a Wood-Fired Grill

Introduction

While using an outdoor gas griddle is certainly convenient, especially for weeknight dinners and quick meals, it also comes with certain culinary limitations. Gas and electric grills typically max out around 450°F, falling short of the ideal range to produce the Maillard reaction — the essential chemical process that gives grilled meats their deep, savory crust. This means seared steaks, charred hamburgers, and smoky, caramelized lamb chops are nearly impossible to achieve on a gas griddle. The result? Food that lacks the depth of flavor and texture you’d expect from a premium steakhouse experience.

That’s where wood-fired grills shine — and Arteflame takes it to a new level. With temperatures reaching 1,000°F, the Arteflame grill creates the perfect sear on meats while allowing you to finish them gently on the plancha. You simply can’t achieve this kind of flavor or crust with a standard gas grill.

The Wood-Fired Advantage

Owning a gas griddle is a great start — but doors open to an entirely new world of cooking when you add a wood-fired grill. If you’ve ever wondered why steakhouse cuts taste better, or why outdoor chefs rave about cooking over open fire, the answer lies in both the flavor and the fire itself. Here’s why adding a wood-fired grill, like an Arteflame, makes all the difference.

Unmatched Flavor Through Real Fire

Wood adds layers of complexity that gas and electric simply can't replicate. The smoke, the crackle, the high-heat — it's a full sensory experience. Natural hardwoods infuse your food with subtle smokiness, transforming ordinary cuts of meat into gourmet masterpieces.

Foods that benefit most from wood-fired grilling include:

• Thick-cut ribeyes and New York strip steaks
• Juicy, charred hamburgers with crispy edges
• Rack of lamb with smoky crust
• Chicken thighs that lock in moisture and crisp up perfectly
• Grilled vegetables with beautiful caramelization

With a gas grill, you might get grill marks. But with wood fire, you get authentic flavor that penetrates the entire dish.

The Science: Maillard Reaction and Heat

The Maillard reaction — the complex chemical reaction between amino acids and reducing sugars — requires temperatures above 500°F. This is where crusty, seared exteriors and rich umami flavors develop. Gas grills cannot consistently maintain the intensity required for this effect, often hovering below 450°F and leaving your meat underdeveloped in texture and taste.

Arteflame grills hit 1,000°F with ease. This means you can sear the surface of a steak in seconds, locking in juices, and then move it to the cooler plancha zone for a smooth, even finish. That’s exactly how the best steakhouses prepare their iconic dishes — high-heat sear followed by controlled cook-through.

Dual Cooking Zones for Ultimate Control

Arteflame's iconic round plancha design offers two primary cooking surfaces: a center grill for direct flame searing and an outer plancha for slow cooking, warming, or finishing. This gives you the flexibility to cook everything from steakhouse-quality ribeyes to delicate seafood and even breakfast foods like eggs and pancakes — something your gas grill simply can’t do.

And with edge-to-edge usable surface, you can entertain more guests while preparing different dishes at the same time.

Visual and Social Impact

There’s something primal and captivating about the fire pit ambiance. Arteflame grills double as stunning backyard art installations. The round, open design encourages guests to gather around, turning dinner into a memorable event. You’re not just cooking; you’re creating experiences around fire — which rarely happens with a gas griddle tucked into the corner.

Its corten steel construction develops a beautiful, unique patina over time, making it the centerpiece of any patio or backyard setting.

Low Maintenance, High Durability

Unlike fragile electric components or gas burners that require regular maintenance and cleaning, Arteflame grills are built from US-made high-grade steel and corten steel — materials chosen specifically for outdoor longevity. There are no moving parts to wear down, and cleanup is as simple as a quick scrape and wipe of the plancha surface.

When properly seasoned, the cooking surface becomes naturally non-stick, much like a seasoned cast-iron skillet.

Complements Your Gas Griddle

Adding an Arteflame grill doesn’t replace your outdoor gas griddle; it complements it. Use your gas grill for quick weeknight stir-fries or veggies, and turn to the Arteflame when it’s time to impress. For weekend cookouts, birthdays, or any night with good friends and good wine, the Arteflame becomes your go-to culinary tool and statement piece.

Great chefs know that choosing the right heat source is the difference between average and amazing. If you already own a gas grill, upgrading to wood fire doesn't duplicate your setup — it multiplies it.

Conclusion

Gas griddles make cooking outdoors convenient, but they simply can’t deliver the flavor, heat, or textural qualities of a true wood-fired grill. The Arteflame grill brings all the premium advantages of open-fire cooking: exceptional searing temperatures, wood-infused flavor, a dual-surface design, and a stunning visual centerpiece that draws guests in.

Proudly made in the USA using only premium materials, Arteflame grills are built to last a lifetime and elevate every culinary adventure. If you already love grilling on gas, imagine how much more you’ll love the taste and experience of wood-fired cooking — especially when it’s under the stars, surrounded by friends, and crafted on an Arteflame.