An Arteflame is a wood-fired grill and flat-top griddle in one. A hardwood or lump-charcoal fire burns in the center under a grill grate that passes 1,000°F for searing. Around it sits a round ½″ steel cooktop that runs about 450°F to 550°F toward the inside edge and 250°F to 350°F toward the outside edge, so you can sear, cook and keep food warm at the same time. Lift the cooktop off and it is an open fire pit. Below are the questions owners and shoppers ask us most, about cooking, materials, seasoning, care and placement.
Cooking on an Arteflame
Why choose an Arteflame grill?
Because it does three things at once that most grills can't:
- Sear like a steakhouse: the center grill grate passes 1,000°F.
- Cook the whole meal at once: the cooktop runs about 450–550°F near the fire and 250–350°F at the rim, so steak, vegetables, fish and eggs cook side by side.
- Real wood-fired flavor: the fire is hardwood or lump charcoal, not gas.
There are no flare-ups on the cooktop: the steel sits between the fire and the food, so grease can't drip into the flames. And an Arteflame is designed as a centerpiece for the backyard: lift the cooktop off after dinner and it is a fire pit. See the 40″ grill and griddle combos and the 40″ fire pits with cooktop.
Is wood used as fuel?
Arteflame grills operate on a combination of wood and charcoal as fuel sources. Optimal choices for hardwoods include hickory, oak, maple, and fruit woods like peach, cherry, and apple. These hardwoods impart aromatic flavors to your cooking, allowing for a variety of taste experiences. It's advisable to steer clear of softwoods like pine due to their tendency to produce excessive smoke and embers. Additionally, manufactured logs, containing wax and fillers, should be avoided, especially when used for cooking, as they can pose potential harm.
How long does it take to heat up?
Allow 30–45 minutes for the ½″ cooktop of a 40″ Arteflame to heat through, and a little longer in cold weather. That gives you time to prepare all your food before it's ready for grilling. The easiest way to light your Arteflame is with the Arteflame Airlighter: simply ignite a charcoal mound in the grill's center and add wood when the charcoal becomes hot.
Materials
What is an Arteflame made of?
The fire bowl and body of every Classic Arteflame are 10-gauge CORTEN steel, also known as "weathering" steel, about 3.4 mm thick. While this steel comes with a higher cost, its toughness and weather resistance make it a worthwhile investment. Made for outdoor use, CORTEN steel develops a natural, enduring patina that adds to its beauty over time. Stainless Series grills and fire pits have a spun stainless-steel fire bowl with a bright finish that does not form a patina.
Every cooktop, insert and grill grate is carbon steel: the 40″ cooktops are ½″ hot-rolled steel, designed to last a lifetime. Unlike cast iron, carbon steel does not break or crack, and it needs no coating: a seasoned carbon steel surface is the cooking surface.
What sets Arteflame cooktops apart?
Arteflame employs a specialized manufacturing process for all grills and inserts, ensuring an exact and refined fit and finish. This process eliminates material imperfections and smooths all steel edges, preventing food particles from lodging and hiding. Although this method incurs higher costs, it guarantees the quality we aim for and that you expect from our products.
Why carbon steel instead of cast iron?
Both materials cook well, but carbon content sets them apart. Carbon steel contains well under 1% carbon, whereas cast iron contains about 2–4%. In cast iron, the extra carbon clumps together into pockets of graphite, which makes the metal hard, brittle and prone to cracking.
Cast iron is susceptible to cracks and breaks, especially when it is heated unevenly. The stress of uneven thermal expansion, combined with those pockets of carbon, leads to cracking, and cast iron can break when dropped. The larger and thinner the piece, the greater the risk. In a grill, where heat is always uneven, that makes cast iron an impractical choice for a cooktop or an insert.
Carbon steel's lower carbon content gives it a more uniform grain structure that handles heat stress and shock. Hot-rolled steel is also worked between heavy rollers at the mill while it is hot, which adds to its strength. Even with uneven heat or an accidental drop, a carbon steel cooktop stays intact. That is why all Arteflame cooktops, inserts, griddles and Burger Pucks are made from carbon steel.
Seasoning and care
How do I season the cooktop?
Seasoning the cooktop is essential for achieving a non-stick surface and preventing rust. The Arteflame Seasoning Puck is the easiest and most effective way to season the cooktop. Alternatively, you can use cooking oils like flaxseed or grapeseed oil. For detailed instructions, see the seasoning tips (PDF) and the seasoning guide.
How do I deal with rust on the cooktop?
The presence of rust on the cooktop indicates that the seasoning may have worn off. In most cases, remedying this issue is straightforward. Simply heat the cooktop to grilling temperature and scrape off any loose rust. Then, using a rag and cooking oil (we recommend grapeseed oil), wipe the cooktop until all rust is removed. This prepares the cooktop for the preseasoning process. Given that the cooktop is constructed from solid carbon steel, any rust is typically surface-level, and extensive sanding is rarely necessary.
To re-season your Arteflame, follow the same process you initially used to season it.
Which cooking oils are suitable?
You can utilize any food-grade cooking oil for your Arteflame grill. However, it's essential to be mindful of potential nut allergies among future guests, making peanut oil less advisable. For effective cooktop seasoning, we particularly recommend using one of our specialized seasoning pucks. To maintain proper seasoning and prevent oxidation when the grill is not in use, a light coating of grapeseed oil is recommended.
For a demonstration on using the Seasoning Puck as an alternative to oil, check out this brief video.
How do I clean out the wood and charcoal ashes?
Does it need a cover?
Once your cooktop is properly seasoned, oiled, and cleaned after each use, covering is not necessary. The Arteflame is designed to endure year-round outdoor exposure. We offer optional stainless lids for the grill's center and vinyl covers. Stainless lids prevent debris entry and help smother the fire after grilling, while vinyl covers contribute to prolonged rust resistance for the cooktop.
Do I need to store my Arteflame indoors during winter?
No, Arteflame grills are built to withstand outdoor exposure throughout the year. If not in use for extended periods, we recommend applying grapeseed oil regularly to keep the cooktop well-seasoned. For winter use, covering your Arteflame with our stainless steel or vinyl cover will prevent it from filling up with snow. If you observe surface oxidization after prolonged periods of non-use, ignite a fire in the Arteflame, bring it up to temperature, scrape off any oxidization, and rub the cooktop with cooking oil to clean and re-season it.
Placement
Is it safe for wood decks?
For placement on wood/Tyvek decks or other flammable surfaces, we recommend using tiles or a grill mat under your Arteflame. The tall Euro base or the tall round base of the Classic 40 poses no direct issue on flammable surfaces, and the tall round base includes an ash catcher to prevent ash contact with your deck.
As an additional safety measure, you can place sand or stones in the bottom of your Arteflame to catch any loose embers. However, low bases are not recommended for wooden or manufactured decks, as they function as fire pits, transferring heat to the deck. Using stone/concrete tiles or a grill mat underneath any Arteflame grill is recommended for safety.
Will my Arteflame stain my concrete patio?
Each Arteflame is designed so that the fire bowl never directly contacts the surface it rests upon. Euro grills feature a stainless steel footer, while other Arteflame grills come with screw-in feet, lifting the grill above the ground. This design not only prevents stains but also lets air flow into the grill from below.
Will grease drain onto my patio?
Every Arteflame cooktop is subtly dished, directing all excess grease to the center of the grill, where it safely burns off. The thoughtful design ensures that no grease escapes from the Arteflame.
Buying
Why do prices in Europe appear different from those in the US?
In Europe, quoted prices include all taxes, which can be substantial, sometimes adding up to an additional 22%. In the US, we always sell products excluding any applicable taxes, with some variations in exchange rates and shipping fees. When considering these factors, the apparent price differences between Europe and the US are actually negligible.
What are Arteflame grill inserts?
The Arteflame insert transforms your standard grill grate into a versatile combination of grill and griddle, ideal for a variety of dishes such as seafood, steaks, burgers, and veggies. Experience the convenience of grilling your entire meal simultaneously. The griddle's design lets you cook all your food at once. By eliminating slots through which juices could fall into the fire, the griddle prevents flare-ups that could burn your food. Enjoy the benefits of a solid cooktop, perfect for achieving that delightful smoky flavor without the risk of burning.
What warranty comes with an Arteflame?
Arteflame grills and fire pits come with a 3-year limited warranty against manufacturing defects. Questions before you buy? Contact us.
