
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.
Many backyard chefs rely on gas or electric grills like the Weber Summit Charcoal for their convenience. But if you've ever tried a perfectly seared steak at a steakhouse, you'll immediately notice something's missing at home: flavor and texture. That signature crust, created by the Maillard reaction, occurs at temperatures above 500°F—something gas and electric grills struggle to achieve, often maxing out around 450°F. This means slow cooking times, less flavor development, and none of that satisfying sizzle when your steak hits the grill.
When it comes to grilling foods that truly matter—like seared ribeye steaks, juicy hamburgers, pork chops, and even artisan pizzas—a wood-fired grill delivers results no gas grill can touch. Enter Arteflame—a grill designed to reach over 1,000°F, achieving steakhouse-quality sears in your own backyard. Its plancha cooktop adds versatility, giving you the ideal surface to finish your meat to perfection.
With so many grill choices on the market today, many homeowners rely solely on gas grills, assuming they're the best balance of performance and convenience. But those who make room for a wood-fired grill alongside their existing setup are unlocking an entirely new realm of flavor, tradition, and versatility that gas simply cannot compete with.
One of the biggest challenges with gas grills like the Weber Summit Charcoal is temperature limitation. Even high-end models rarely break 550°F, which is just on the edge of where the Maillard effect becomes reliably efficient. This chemical reaction gives grilled meats their golden crust and umami-packed depth. At lower temperatures, however, you get steam, not sear. Wood fire, especially with Arteflame's 1,000°F capacity, achieves true steakhouse charring in seconds. You’re not just cooking meat—you’re transforming it.
Wood adds something unique: smoke. Real hardwood smoke flavors your food during the cooking process, layering complexity that gas grills can’t mimic without artificial additions. Hickory, oak, applewood, and cherry—all of these infuse different flavor profiles into your favorite dishes naturally. Whether it’s a thick porterhouse steak, a smoky burger, or a juicy rack of lamb, the wood makes each bite memorable.
What sets an Arteflame grill apart is its dual-surface approach: the intense center heat for fast searing and the plancha outer ring for gentler finishing. You can start your ribeye in the center at blazing heat to get that scorched crust, then slide it to the plancha to finish cooking it slowly to medium-rare. This method mimics the best practices of top chefs, giving you more control and more delicious results.
An Arteflame grill does more than just meats. Its flat cooktop, known as the plancha, opens up endless possibilities:
With a gas grill, you’re limited by the grate. With wood and plancha, you're crafting experiences.
Wood-fired cooking taps into ancient, primal culinary tradition. It’s how humans were meant to cook—using smoldering wood, flames, and radiant heat. It creates a connection to food that’s hard to replicate with knobs and gas lines. There's satisfaction in tending the fire, hearing the crackle, and watching flames kiss the food. Whether you're solo cooking or hosting a gathering, a wood grill elevates the entire experience.
Gas grill supporters often tout speed as their primary benefit. But here's the secret: A high-temp wood grill like Arteflame actually cooks faster when searing meats. That intense 1,000°F heat not only locks in the juices but also cuts down your total cook time. Instead of flipping burgers over low, slow heat while they dry out, you sear and serve in a fraction of the time—without compromising taste.
We’re not saying ditch your gas grill. It’s great for quick weekday dinners or for those new to outdoor cooking. But if you want to elevate your culinary game—especially when entertaining—adding a wood-fired grill like Arteflame is a game-changer. Think of it as having a sports car next to your daily driver: You may not use it every day, but when you do, it's thrilling.
A gas grill like the Weber Summit Charcoal is convenient, but it has its culinary ceiling. For those craving bold, wood-fired flavor and unmatched heat control, Arteflame offers a revolutionary alternative. With searing capabilities up to 1,000°F, a unique plancha surface, and unbeatable versatility, it’s no surprise that serious grillmasters are investing in a second grill—not to replace their gas unit, but to expand their outdoor cooking horizons.
Proudly 100% made in the USA, Arteflame grills deliver steakhouse flavor at home with durable, stunning designs built to last a lifetime. Upgrade your grilling game. Transform your patio into a five-star outdoor kitchen 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.
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