
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.
If you're still grilling with basic grill grates, you're missing out on a whole world of flavor and versatility. Traditional grates are excellent for searing steaks and grilling burgers, but they fall short when it comes to foods that need a flat surface. Ever tried cooking bacon, hash browns, eggs, or even stir-fried rice on a conventional grill grate? It just doesn’t work well—or at all. Food falls through the gaps, uneven heat causes burning, and flavor is lost to the flames below. That's where the Arteflame insert steps in.
Designed as a true griddle smoker combo, the Arteflame insert transforms your existing grill into a powerhouse of culinary options by combining a grill grate with a solid flat-top griddle. Suddenly, your grill isn’t just good for steaks—it’s perfect for breakfast skillets, delicate seafood, and even smoked dishes. This upgrade gives your existing grill a brand-new lease on life, one that expands its capabilities and elevates your entire grilling experience.
The magic of a griddle smoker combo lies in its flexibility. Instead of being limited to flame-friendly foods, you gain access to an entire menu of possibilities—foods that were traditionally only cooked indoors or in specialty cookware. Here’s why integrating a griddle into your grilling setup changes the game:
A griddle surface retains and distributes heat more evenly than grill grates, eliminating hot and cold zones. This is crucial for foods that require gentle, consistent heat—like eggs or veggies—without risk of burning.
On the Arteflame griddle, flavor isn’t sacrificed for convenience. The smoke from the fire below circulates around the food, infusing it with that unmistakable BBQ richness. When you integrate wood chips or aromatic chunks, your food gets that perfect smoky edge—even on the griddle.
Unlike standalone griddles that require their own power source or grills that only offer open flames, a griddle smoker combo allows for both techniques side-by-side. Sear a steak on the grill grate while onions caramelize on the griddle. Smash burgers on one side; toast brioche buns on the other. It’s maximum output with minimal effort.
Planning a backyard BBQ for guests with diverse tastes? Handle vegetarian dishes, gluten-free meals, and meat-lover feasts all at once—without cross-contamination risks or flavor mixing. No more juggling cookware indoors while your main grill is outside; everything cooks together in harmony on the Arteflame insert.
Flat-top griddles retain heat better than grates, making cold-weather grilling more efficient. That hearty winter breakfast cooked outdoors with sizzling sausage and golden potatoes? Complete bliss.
Griddle cooking is intuitive, especially for those new to grilling. There are no flare-ups, significantly reduced risk of burns, and generally more forgiving cooking conditions. Even kids can help out (with supervision)!
The Arteflame insert’s sleek design adds visual appeal to your existing grill. Unlike makeshift setups or budget add-ons, it integrates seamlessly and elevates the professionalism of your cooking station. Plus, having one tool that does it all saves space and reduces the number of accessories cluttering your backyard or garage.
The Arteflame insert isn't just a handy accessory—it's a game-changing replacement that unlocks the true potential of your grill. Whether you're craving a crispy breakfast, delicate seafood, or savory stir-fry, this griddle smoker combo makes it possible on one surface—and all with better heat, flavor, and safety. Plus, it gives you the freedom to cook more types of food at once without juggling burners or cleaning up unnecessary messes later.
Made entirely from 100% US Steel—not brittle, failure-prone cast iron—Arteflame inserts are crafted to last a lifetime. Being 100% made in the USA, they conform to the highest standards of food hygiene and manufacturing quality. Cast iron may crack or chip under thermal stress; steel won’t. It’s a rugged, dependable upgrade that turns your grill into a year-round outdoor kitchen powerhouse—an investment that pays off with every amazing meal.
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)