Is TrueFlame a good brand?
TrueFlame is a strong value pick for a complete outdoor kitchen. The grills are built from #304 stainless steel, the warranty on the core grill components is lifetime and non-prorated, and the brand covers far more than grills: refrigeration, sinks, doors, drawers, vent hoods and carts all come from the same line, in the same finish. If you want one brand to furnish an entire island rather than mixing four vendors, TrueFlame is one of the few options at this price. NorthwoodsGrills is an authorized dealer and a family-owned retailer in Charleston, South Carolina. Call us at 843-212-7209.
Who makes TrueFlame?
TrueFlame is a brand of AMD Direct, Inc., a Huntington Beach, California company. AMD Direct also owns the Summerset Grills trademark, so TrueFlame and Summerset are sibling brands and share a good deal of design language. One point of confusion worth clearing up: AMD Direct sold the separate American Made Grills brand in November 2024, so TrueFlame and American Made Grills are not the same line and should not be treated as interchangeable.
What is the difference between the TF Series and the TFE Series?
TrueFlame builds two grill series and the split is straightforward:
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TFE Series is the value line. It covers the core sizes at the lowest entry point in the brand. See the TFE25 25" built-in and the TFE32 32" built-in.
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TF Series is the step-up line. It adds the larger 40" size, rotisserie systems on the bigger models, and accepts the drop-in infrared sear burner. See the TF25, TF32 and TF40.
Both series use #304 stainless steel construction, which is the manufacturer's stated material. TrueFlame also offers lighted "L" versions of the TF and TFE grills; call us at 843-212-7209 to check current availability on those.
What sizes does TrueFlame come in?
Three widths: 25 inch, 32 inch and 40 inch. The 25" grills are three-burner, the 32" grills are four-burner and the 40" grill is five-burner. The 40" is TF Series only. All grill heads are in TrueFlame built-in grills, and the whole brand sits in the TrueFlame collection.
Should I buy the built-in or the freestanding cart version?
Every TrueFlame grill size is sold both ways. Buy the built-in head if you are dropping it into a masonry or framed island. Buy the cart version if you want to roll it into place and be done. The cart models are the TF25 cart, TF32 cart, TF40 cart, TFE25 cart and TFE32 cart. You can also buy a built-in head now and add a deluxe cart for 32" grills later. Compare across brands in cart grills and built-in grills.
What does the TrueFlame warranty cover?
TrueFlame calls it the Gold Standard warranty, and the tiers are:
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Lifetime, non-prorated: main burners, grates, burner covers, valves, flame tamers, heat zone separators, temperature gauges, stainless steel construction, stainless drawers, doors, liners and carts, covers, ice chests, drains and faucets
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5 years: vent hood stainless steel
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3 years: other electrical parts (LED bulbs, wire harness, switches), warming drawer electrical, vent hood blowers, LED and wiring, and 15" and 24" refrigeration including compressors
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1 year: electrical components in 15" and 24" refrigeration, and all components in 21" and 22" refrigeration
Full terms are on our TrueFlame warranty page. General notes are on our warranty information page.
Does TrueFlame make outdoor refrigeration?
Yes, and this is the brand's real advantage over grill-only manufacturers. The range covers refrigerators, wine coolers, kegerators and ice makers in matching stainless. Popular units include the 24" outdoor refrigerator with reversible door, the 15" outdoor refrigerator, the 24" deluxe outdoor kegerator and the 15" outdoor-rated nugget ice maker. Note the warranty tiers above: 15" and 24" refrigeration carries longer coverage than the 21" and 22" units. Compare all brands in outdoor refrigerators.
Can TrueFlame supply the rest of the outdoor kitchen?
Yes. Beyond grills and refrigeration, TrueFlame makes doors, drawers, combos, trash pullouts, sinks and bar prep stations, warming drawers and masonry-frame versions of most access doors for block construction. Examples: the 33" double access door TF-DD-33-A, the 33" 3-drawer and access door combo TF-DC3-33-A, the 45" masonry-frame double door, the 20" 2-bin trash and recycling drawer, the 36" warming drawer, the 32" farmhouse sink package and the 30" beverage and prep station. Cross-shop in grill doors, grill drawers, door and drawer combos and drop-in and pull-out ice bins.
Do I need a vent hood?
You need one if the grill sits under a solid roof, a covered lanai or any enclosed structure. Size the hood wider than the grill and match the CFM to the cook surface. TrueFlame offers the 36" vent hood at 1,000 CFM and the 42" vent hood at 2,000 CFM, with 48", 60" and 72" versions and matching duct covers and spacer brackets. See all options in outdoor hoods.
What burners and griddles does TrueFlame offer?
Compare across brands in burners.
What accessories should I order with the grill?
Order an insulating liner if the grill drops into a framed or masonry island, such as the 32" liner for TF32 and TFE32; more in grill liners. Add a rotisserie kit for the 32" grill if you plan to cook whole birds or roasts, and a deluxe cover for 32" built-in grills to protect the finish. All covers are in grill covers.
How much does TrueFlame cost?
Prices change, so shop by tier. TFE Series grill heads tend to sit at the accessible end of the market, in built-in grills under $2,000 and built-in grills $2,000-$3,500, with the larger TF models reaching into built-in grills $3,500-$5,000. Shipping is free and we do not charge credit card fees. If you are pricing a full island, use our quote request and we will price the whole package.
Which brands should I cross-shop against TrueFlame?
Start with Summerset, the sibling brand, which overlaps heavily on refrigeration and storage. American Outdoor Grills is the closest competitor on grill quality per dollar, though AOG does not offer the same breadth of island components. RCS and Blaze compete on price; Coyote and Alfresco sit above.
Does NorthwoodsGrills build TrueFlame grills?
No. NorthwoodsGrills is a family-owned retailer in Charleston, South Carolina, and an authorized TrueFlame dealer. We do not manufacture, weld or assemble anything we sell. Every TrueFlame product ships with the manufacturer's warranty. For help laying out an island or matching component sizes, call 843-212-7209 or use our grill finder.
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