There’s something primal about grilling meat over an open flame. For anyone looking to grill meats to perfection, a Santa Maria grill stands out as the gold standard.
Internet research indicates that these grills were born in California’s Santa Ynez Valley, but I beg to differ. Although some of the first commercially available Santa Maria grills may have originated in California, the true origins have more of an Argentine flavor. As a very young lad, I remember my Argentinian neighbors using grills with the same functionality and design long before they were supposedly developed in California. I will definitely give the nod to the gauchos who have been masters of grilling meat for centuries.
The number one reason the Santa Maria grill excels at grilling meats is its unmatched ability to control the heat of an open flame on the meat. Its singular most important feature is the ability to raise and lower the grilling surface with an extensive range of travel. It’s a simple concept, but surprisingly difficult to find.
My son-in-law recently asked me to help him find a low-cost charcoal grill. I explained that the most important feature was the ability to raise and lower either the coals or the grilling surface. The selection of grills online was overwhelming, with most grills having a fixed grate, and a surprisingly small percentage of grills had the ability to adjust the distance between the heat and meat. We settled on a model we found on Amazon, which allows the coals to be adjusted up or down by approximately eight inches. On a Santa Maria grill, the range of travel between the heat source and the grilling grate can be 24 inches or more.
But Why is this Adjustability So Important?
Most simply, it allows you to precisely control the grilling temperature. The first part of this equation is the heat source. The Santa Maria grill enables you to cook with real wood or coals. Both wood and coals will burn hotter when they are first lit and the heat tends to moderate with time. The ability to adjust the distance between the heat and the meat allows you to maintain a consistent grilling temperature throughout the cooking process.
Precise temperature control is also essential because the cooking process is different for different types of meat. For example, an Argentinian skirt steak is thin and fatty. The best method for grilling these strips of steak is a quick, high heat near the flames. However, the high fat content causes the meat to render off this fat, which can cause the flames to flare up, potentially resulting in a burned crust. The ability to quickly and easily adjust the grates is essential for this type of grilling. Other times, you may be grilling thick ribeye steaks that require an initial searing near the flame and then a slower cook until reaching your desired level of doneness.
Regardless of what you are grilling, the fire is also changing throughout the cooking time, and further and continued adjustments may be necessary. No other grill offers the ease and speed of adjustment that a Santa Maria grill does.
Versatility, Flavor, and Convenience
Another feature not found on other grills is the ability to use a variety of open flame fuels. The Santa Maria grill is primarily known for cooking over the open flame of real wood. There are many options to impart flavor using a variety of hardwoods. Still, you can also use charcoal in a pinch – the grill won’t care. I use charcoal more often than I would like to admit. It’s always available and the heat produced requires less attention – fine for brats or burger night.
Simplicity
Simplicity is the hallmark of the Santa Maria style grill’s brilliance. There are no fancy gadgets, no digital thermometers, no vents. It’s just you, the fire, and the meat. The fire can be easily added to and moved around the fire brick base, allowing for adjustments to whatever is on the grill. I will often cook skirt steak, Argentinian sausage, and sweetbreads simultaneously. Since the front of the firebox is accessible, I can easily adjust the fuel and flame under each item to vary the temperature for each area of the grill. There is something deeply satisfying about tending to the fire and adjusting the grate by hand.
To summarize, here are the top reasons why the Santa Maria is Superior:
- Unmatched Heat Control: The adjustable grate system and access to the firebox allow precise temperature management
- Superior Flavor: Your choice of hardwoods imparts flavor without being overly smoky
- Versatility: Suitable for any cooking style, from grilling steaks to roasting, and can be used with nearly any burning fuel.
- Simplicity: Minimalist design focuses on fire, meat, and skill—without unnecessary gadgets.
In Conclusion
In a world of high-tech grills with Wi-Fi apps and pellet feeders, the Santa Maria style grill remains tops for authenticity. Its no-nonsense grill design has earned a cult following among pitmasters and weekend warriors alike. Its unique combination of simplicity, versatility, and unmatched flavor production makes it the perfect grill for anyone serious about grilling.