Why You Need More Than Just a Flat Top for Gas Grill

Introduction

Gas grills and electric grills may offer convenience, but they come with one major drawback: limited heat. When you're trying to achieve that steakhouse-quality sear or rich, smoky flavor, a flat top for gas grill just doesn't cut it. Iconic grilled foods like perfectly crusted steaks, juicy burgers, or flame-kissed sausages rely on the Maillard reaction—a chemical transformation that happens when surface temperatures reach at least 500°F. Most gas grills peak around 450°F, which means slow cooking, dry meat, and a serious lack of flavor depth.

This is where wood-fired grilling shines. A grill like the Arteflame, capable of reaching searing-hot temperatures up to 1,000°F, delivers restaurant-caliber steaks and smoky complexity you simply can't get from gas. With a wide plancha surface, you can kiss your meat with fire, sear the crust perfectly, and finish with finesse—just like a pro chef.

Benefits of Wood-Fired Grilling

While gas grills are known for their accessibility and speed, they miss out on several critical elements that make grilling an art form, not just a cooking method. Beyond convenience, grilling is about flavor, heat control, and experience—three areas where wood-fired grills like the Arteflame truly shine.

1. Unmatched Flavor Depth

Let's start with what really matters: taste. The rich, smoky essence produced by burning hardwood infuses meats, vegetables, and even breads with a depth of flavor no gas burner can replicate. Because wood smoke penetrates food, it enhances natural savory notes, achieving results that rival the best steakhouses.

• Meats like ribeye, brisket, and pork chops gain a bold bark and juicy interior.
• Vegetables such as mushrooms and eggplants acquire a savory umami crust.
• Burger patties develop a crispy outside and smoky aroma that's restaurant-worthy.

On a gas grill, you're mostly relying on flavor from seasoning. With a wood fire, the heat and smoke become part of the seasoning itself, transforming simple ingredients into complex dishes.

2. Superior Temperature Control

Heat zones are hard to manage on gas grills. Flames are limited to burner placement, and the lid traps heat inconsistently. With the Arteflame's circular design and flat top plancha surface, you get dynamic temperature zones. The center fire reaches up to 1,000°F for searing, while the outer edge allows indirect heating or keeping food warm.

• Sear steaks in the middle, finish them gently on the outer ring.
• Grill delicate items like fish and veggies on lower-temp zones.
• Cook full meals at once—no juggling burners or flare-ups.

3. Achieve the Perfect Maillard Crust

The Maillard reaction—the chemical transformation that browns proteins and sugars in meat—occurs best at surface temperatures of at least 500°F. Gas grills struggle to reach this, especially when outdoor temperatures drop. The Arteflame effortlessly achieves 750-1,000°F, allowing you to craft a crust that rivals fine dining standards.

This intense short burst of heat locks in juices, delivers texture, and adds that complex umami-rich character that defines gourmet grilling.

4. Expansive Cooking Versatility

Arteflame’s flat top plancha opens doors to foods you would never attempt on a wire rack gas grill surface:

• Fried eggs, pancakes, and bacon for brunch cookouts
• Scallops, shrimp, and other delicate seafood that fall through grates
• Paella-style rice dishes in a cast iron pan directly over wood heat
• Even desserts like caramelized pineapple or skillet brownies

You effectively turn your grill into an outdoor kitchen, with endless culinary possibilities.

5. Outdoor Centerpiece and Experience

Grilling is not just about eating—it's an experience. An Arteflame grill isn’t just a cooking device; it's a conversation starter and backyard centerpiece. The mesmerizing live flames and wood crackling sounds create ambiance and turn lunch into an event.

Rather than standing over a closed metal box filled with propane, you're engaging with fire in a way that connects to ancient cooking traditions. Friends gather around, the fire warms the night, and the food becomes part of the atmosphere.

6. Build Upon Your Gas Grill

Worried about abandoning your gas grill? Don’t be. The best grill setups incorporate both technologies. Use gas for quick weeknight meals and fire up the Arteflame for weekend feasts and entertaining. Many people are adding wood-fired grills as a complementary tool in their backyard kitchen—because for serious grilling, gas alone isn’t enough.

You can even place a flat top over your gas grill, but it still won't deliver the real wood-fired flavor or reach the heat levels required for superior searing. It’s a temporary solution, but not a replacement for fire-forged flavor.

Conclusion

If you're serious about grilling and want to go beyond the limitations of a gas grill, the Arteflame is your gateway to culinary freedom. With temperature ranges up to 1,000°F, a flat top plancha for delicate and robust cooking, and the unmistakable taste of wood-infused flavor, it's everything your gas grill is missing.

Whether you're searing the perfect steak, entertaining outdoors, or exploring new grill-friendly recipes, the Arteflame offers unmatched performance, design, and cooking possibilities. Proudly 100% made in the USA, Arteflame grills are crafted for those who want nothing less than mastery over fire. Elevate your grilling game—once you experience Arteflame, there’s no going back.