
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.
The Weber Kettle Master Touch and other gas grills remain popular for their convenience, but when it comes to grilling excellence, they fall short. Gas and electric grills rarely exceed 450°F, making it nearly impossible to achieve the Maillard reaction — the golden-brown crust that gives steaks, burgers, and other meats their irresistible flavor. This chemical reaction requires high, dry heat, ideally close to 1,000°F, to unlock the complex taste and texture found in high-end steakhouses.
Foods like thick-cut steaks, juicy burgers, and seared lamb chops thrive in that intense heat only a wood-fired grill like the Arteflame can produce. With a seamless transition from open flame to flat-top plancha, the Arteflame delivers unmatched flavor, crust, and tenderness — something no gas grill can replicate.
Gas grills, including premium models like the Weber Kettle Master Touch, offer speed and simplicity. But when it comes to taste, texture, and versatility, they can’t compete with the raw firepower and natural heat of wood-fueled grilling. That’s where a wood-fired grill like the Arteflame becomes an essential companion to your backyard setup.
Most gas grills max out around 450°F–550°F, meaning meat often steams before it sears. A true sear, especially the kind found at your favorite steakhouse, results from the Maillard reaction—a chemical change in proteins and sugars that kicks in above 600°F. The Arteflame grill reaches 1,000°F, creating a stunning crust while locking in moisture. That high heat also reduces cooking time drastically while amplifying flavor complexity.
Grilling with wood isn't just for looks. It imparts a rich, smoky character that’s impossible to fake. Whether you're using oak, hickory, or applewood, real wood infuses meats and vegetables with complex flavors gas burners simply can’t provide. It’s why award-winning pitmasters have always sworn by wood fire — and why your backyard cookouts will never be the same again.
While gas grills have limited zonal control, the Arteflame’s design sets it apart. The central fire bowl creates high-heat zones for searing, while the outer plancha allows for gentler cooking. This hybrid setup lets you finish delicate items like vegetables or fish without overcooking them, or keep already-seared meat warm.
Whether you're cooking burgers, shellfish, or a rack of ribs, the Arteflame lets you manage each ingredient on its ideal cooking surface.
A gas grill is a tool. An Arteflame is a centerpiece. Made of solid steel and styled like a piece of modern art, it draws people in. Its open, circular cooking surface invites social interaction. Guests gather, watch the flames, smell the aroma, and enjoy the show. It’s not just grilling — it's an experience.
Arteflame grills are proudly made entirely in the USA using high-grade US steel. Their durability extends beyond superior heat performance — they’re built to withstand the elements and designed to last a lifetime. Unlike gas grills that often rust or fail after a few seasons, Arteflame units age beautifully over time, developing a protective patina that enhances their industrial-chic appeal.
Burning natural hardwood is cleaner and more sustainable than propane or butane, which are fossil fuels. Many grilling enthusiasts are choosing wood not just for flavor but for its lower impact on the environment. With Arteflame, you’re grilling with renewable resources — the way it was meant to be done.
You don’t have to throw out your Weber Kettle Master Touch to enjoy the benefits of the Arteflame. In fact, having both offers maximum flexibility:
A wood-fired grill rounds out your backyard cooking arsenal, giving you more creativity, flavor, and style in every meal you serve.
If you already own a gas grill like the Weber Kettle Master Touch, adding a wood-fired grill like the Arteflame isn’t redundant — it’s revolutionary. The ability to hit 1,000°F, the smoky hardwood flavor infusion, and the ability to finish on a plancha surface means restaurant-quality steaks, burgers, and more are finally within reach. Gas simply can’t compete with flames that cook with passion.
Arteflame grills are 100% made in the USA, built to last, and designed to impress. For those serious about stepping up their backyard grilling game, there’s no better way to unlock full flavor potential than by going wood-fired with Arteflame.
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)