
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.
While gas and electric grills offer convenience, they often fall short when it comes to flavor and heat performance. A Weber charcoal grill gets closer, but even it can’t match the richness achieved by a wood-fired flame. Foods like thick-cut ribeyes, smash burgers, lamb chops, and even pork belly taste significantly better when cooked over real wood. Why? It’s all about the Maillard reaction—a chemical transformation that occurs when meat is seared at around 500°F or more, creating that crave-worthy crust and deep savory flavor. Even top-tier gas grills typically max out at 450°F, leaving steaks gray and chewy instead of seared and juicy. The Arteflame grill, designed for wood-fire cooking, reaches up to 1,000°F, making it the ultimate grilling machine. Cook like the best steakhouses in America—right in your backyard.
Adding a wood-fired grill to your backyard isn’t just a culinary upgrade—it’s a full sensory experience that transforms how you cook and enjoy food. If you already own a gas grill, incorporating a wood-fired unit like an Arteflame gives you the best of both worlds. Here’s why a wood grill is the perfect complement—and often, the better choice:
Nothing compares to the smokey, caramelized flavor of food cooked over real wood. Unlike gas, which is odorless and flavorless, wood imparts distinct regional tastes depending on the type (oak, hickory, mesquite, applewood) used. This smoke penetrates your meats, vegetables, and even pizza, creating a depth of flavor that gas simply can’t deliver.
High heat is critical for the Maillard reaction—the chemical browning process that gives grilled foods their irresistible crust and flavor. Most gas grills struggle to reach temperatures above 450°F. Meanwhile, the Arteflame wood grill easily hits 1,000°F at the center, giving you the perfect environment for restaurant-quality steaks and seared dishes. Start at the center to sear, then move to the outer plancha to finish gently.
Arteflame grills reinvent what a grill can do. The central wood-fired grill grate sears steaks, ribs, and seafood, while the outer ring-shaped plancha is perfect for low-and-slow cooking, frying eggs, caramelizing onions, roasting peppers, or even toasting buns. With both direct and indirect heat zones, you can cook multiple dishes at once with precise control.
Unlike gas grills with metal grates that allow fats to drop and flare-up below the burners, causing smoke and potentially toxic compounds, the plancha surface of the Arteflame allows fats to render and cook foods in their own flavor. This creates a barrier between the flame and your food, enhancing taste while reducing exposure to charred residues.
Arteflame grills are crafted from high-grade steel and designed to weather beautifully over time. The grill's heavy-duty construction is rust-resistant and almost maintenance-free. While many gas grills degrade after a few years, the Arteflame is built to stand the test of time.
Wood is a sustainable and reusable resource. While gas prices fluctuate and tanks inevitably run out during a cookout, wood-fired grilling uses locally sourced materials that you can replenish on your terms.
From smash burgers to fire-roasted veggies and even cast-iron skillet desserts, you’re no longer limited to traditional grill fare. You can even smoke meat low and slow or use the Arteflame as a wok station, oven, or flat-top griddle. The potential is endless compared to standard grill grates.
If you think your gas grill is enough, it’s time to experience what you’ve been missing. Elevate every meal with the rich, smoky flavor that only wood can bring. From professional-level steak sears to breakfast al fresco and wood-fired pizzas, the Arteflame grill offers versatility that gas simply can’t compete with. Reaching temperatures of up to 1,000°F, it makes it possible to achieve steakhouse results in your own backyard. It’s more than a grill—it’s an investment in unforgettable grilling moments with friends and family. And with every Arteflame grill proudly made 100% in the USA, you're supporting American craftsmanship while cooking at the highest caliber.
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)