
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 with gas or electric BBQs might seem convenient, but it often comes at a cost: flavor. While gas grills offer speed and control, they typically max out at about 450°F—far too low to achieve a proper sear on meats. This limited heat output prevents the Maillard reaction, an essential chemical process that creates complex flavors and that rich, caramelized crust on steaks and burgers. Gas grills just can’t deliver that charred perfection found in top steakhouse cuts.
Only a wood-fired grill, like the Arteflame, can reach the 1,000°F necessary to sear meats the right way. Foods like dry-aged ribeyes, thick burgers, tomahawk steaks, and even pork chops come alive with the wood-smoke aroma and flavor infusion that only real fire can offer. Unlike gas grills, with Arteflame you get steakhouse-quality results straight from your backyard.
Adding a wood-fired grill to your BBQ lineup unlocks an entirely new world of flavor, precision, and culinary creativity. While gas grills are great for quick midweek dinners or low-maintenance cooking, they simply can’t match the versatility or heat performance of a wood grill. Here’s why upgrading from gas to coal BBQ cooking is a game-changer—especially when using a top-tier brand like Arteflame.
The Maillard reaction—the scientific process responsible for browning and flavor development in protein—occurs around 300°F to 500°F. Yet, to truly lock in juices and create that crispy-on-the-outside, juicy-on-the-inside magic, you need surface temperatures closer to 1,000°F. Arteflame grills can achieve just that, offering the professional-grade sear found in high-end steak restaurants.
Wood-fired grilling delivers flavor that you simply can’t replicate using gas or electric methods. Wood smoke infuses meats and veggies with natural aroma and complexity. Whether you're using hardwood chunks or charcoal, each type of fuel adds its own subtle nuances to your food.
When you grill over open wood fire:
An Arteflame grill isn’t just hot—it’s smart. Its plancha (flat grill surface) design allows for indirect cooking, making it ideal for everything from slow-cooked ribs to searing steaks to sautéing veggies all at once.
With gas grills, you're often limited by space and design. Arteflame grills, on the other hand, offer ample cooking room and radiant heat technology, meaning no more cold spots or half-cooked food. Popular dishes that excel over wood fire include:
This kind of variety makes wood fire grilling a dynamic addition—perfect when you're entertaining or simply looking to elevate a weeknight meal.
An Arteflame grill doesn’t just cook—it captivates. Its bold, sculptural design acts as a centerpiece that transforms your backyard into an entertaining hotspot. Friends naturally gather around the circular plancha, creating an intimate, shared experience reminiscent of open-fire traditions.
Arteflame grills are crafted from high-grade steel and Corten (weathering) steel that resists the elements and grows more beautiful with age. This isn't a grill you'll replace every few seasons—it's an investment in quality that lasts decades. Unlike gas grills loaded with breakable parts and igniters, wood-fired Arteflame grills have no moving pieces, making maintenance and lifespan remarkably straightforward.
If you already own a gas grill, adding a wood-fired powerhouse like the Arteflame doesn’t replace—it enhances. While gas works for burgers on a Tuesday, Arteflame turns Saturday night into a culinary experience. The 1,000°F heat output, searing surface, and oakwood smoke effect simply can’t be duplicated on gas. For steaks that rival your favorite steakhouse and a grill that becomes the talk of every gathering, Arteflame stands alone.
Made 100% in the USA, the Arteflame grill is the ultimate companion to your existing gas BBQ. It's not just about grilling food—it's about transforming your whole cooking ritual. Bring home the fire, the flavor, and the function. Arteflame does it all, with style.
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.
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