
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.
Gas and electric grills may feel convenient, but they fall short where it matters most—flavor and high-temperature performance. Sure, they heat up quickly and are easy to use, but when it comes to grilling true steakhouse-quality cuts, they simply can’t compete. When was the last time your gas grill hit 1,000°F? Probably never—and that’s a problem.
Wood-fired grilling unlocks a level of flavor that gas and electric can’t match. Steaks, hamburgers, ribs, and other premium meats demand the Maillard reaction—the chemical reaction that enhances browning and taste at temperatures above 500°F. A griddle grill combination like the Arteflame, which blends open wood flame cooking with a plancha-style surface, reaches those critical temperatures effortlessly. The Arteflame hits 1,000°F, letting you sear meats like a top-end restaurant chef, and then finish them perfectly on the outer plancha. That kind of performance? It’s just not possible on a standard gas grill.
Grilling over wood is more than a technique—it's a culinary tradition. When added to your backyard cooking arsenal alongside a gas grill, a wood fired griddle grill combination brings unmatched versatility, deep flavor, and high-temperature searing capabilities that redefine your BBQ game.
There’s a reason world-class chefs and steakhouses use open fire or wood-fired cooking methods. Wood smoke infuses natural flavor into food, whether you’re grilling juicy ribs, marinated chicken thighs, or artisan vegetables. With gas grills, flavor comes from sauces and spices. With wood, flavor comes from the fire itself—authentic, aromatic, and deliciously complex.
Imagine biting into a grass-fed ribeye steak that’s been perfectly seared at 1,000°F over an open flame and slowly caramelized on a seasoned plancha. That crust? It's the Maillard reaction in action, and it’s something gas grills simply can’t replicate.
The Maillard effect is the chemical process that creates a golden-brown crust on meats, locking in juices and enhancing taste. For this to happen properly, surface temperatures need to exceed 500°F. Most gas grills can’t sustain more than 450°F, with heat loss due to open lids and poor insulation. On the other hand, wood-fired griddles like the Arteflame maintain consistent high heat across the cooking surface.
This results in:
While gas grills are mostly limited to direct or indirect heat over flame, a griddle grill combination gives you flexibility:
From perfectly crisp bacon and eggs in the morning to thick pork chops and fire-roasted veggies in the evening, the Arteflame handles it all—something your regular gas grill can’t brag about.
Wood-fired grills aren’t just about cooking—they’re the centerpiece of backyard gatherings. The circular design of Arteflame encourages social cooking and interaction. Guests gather around, enjoy the live-fire ambiance, and even grill their own food together. It’s an experience, not just a meal.
Plus, cleanup is surprisingly simple. With a seasoned cooktop and efficient ash disposal system, you’ll spend more time enjoying dinner and less time scrubbing grates.
Unlike propane tanks or electric grills, wood log fuel is renewable and widely available. With rising energy prices, grilling with hardwood gives you the satisfaction of cooking naturally—all while reducing reliance on fossil fuels, tanks, and outlets.
You’re not only cooking better—you’re cooking smarter.
Already have a gas grill? Great—keep it for quick weeknight dinners or when you’re short on time. But for weekends, special occasions, or when it’s time to impress, switching to wood-fired elevates your culinary game. The Arteflame doesn’t replace your gas grill—it completes your outdoor kitchen.
If you’re serious about steaks—or any grilled food that demands flavor, sear, and elevated presentation—a gas grill just isn’t enough. The Arteflame wood fired griddle grill combination delivers unmatched performance, versatility, and the kind of deep flavor you thought was only possible at a professional steakhouse.
Engineered to reach 1,000°F for perfect sears, designed with heavy-duty US craftsmanship, and built to last a lifetime, Arteflame isn’t just a grill—it’s your culinary centerpiece. 100% made in the USA. Elevate your grilling today and taste the difference that real fire makes.
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)