- Choose built-in grills based on durability, heat control, and zone flexibility. Look for full 304 stainless steel, firebrick-lined brasero, and a true Santa Maria elevation system for precise sear-to-rest control.
- BBQ05SS = compact but complete. Ideal for smaller outdoor kitchens without sacrificing authentic Argentine performance.
- BBQ08SS = versatile step-up. Adds clamp grill and roof grate for multi-technique cooking and larger gatherings.
- BBQ28SS = XL entertainer. Massive capacity with five cooking areas, built for 12–20+ guests and simultaneous searing, roasting, holding, and finishing.
Things to consider for a Built-In Santa Maria Grills
I look for three things: materials, heat control, and cooking flexibility.
- Materials that last: all-304 stainless steel bodies, grates, and griddle options, plus firebrick linings to hold and diffuse heat. That’s durability, performance, and easier cleanup.
- Fine-grained heat control: the Santa Maria elevation system gives you instant control over intensity, raise to rest, lower to sear, while the brasero jump-starts coal production fast.
- Multiple cooking zones: combine main grate, secondary or roof grate, an interchangeable griddle, and (on BBQ08SS and BBQ28SS) a 360° clamp grill—so I can reverse-sear steaks while slow-cooking ribs, blistering peppers, and warming bread all at once.
“This is what we bring to your backyard. This is TAGWOOD.”
TAGWOOD is the leading Argentine & Santa Maria Open Fire Grill in the World
BBQ05SS — Compact Built-In, Full Feature Set
When space is tight but standards are high, I reach for the BBQ05SS. You still get the Santa Maria elevation system, firebrick-lined firebox (brasero included), a height-adjustable main grate, and an interchangeable griddle for smash burgers, veggies, or fish. It feels like the “starter” that isn’t really a starter, it’s a complete Argentine setup in a smaller footprint, with the tactile joy of wheel-controlled fire.
- Ideal for: smaller island builds, couples and families, or anyone who craves authentic Gaucho control without going XL. Add V-shaped or round mains to taste.
- Real-world touch: I love moving the grate a couple inches up to rest a tomahawk while the griddle traps every drop of fond for chimichurri-kissed potatoes. That’s the “stories and laughter beside the flames” moment TAGWOOD is built for.
BBQ08SS — Gaucho Versatility with Clamp Grill
Stepping up, the BBQ08SS adds a rotating clamp grill (or optional fixed clamp) and a roof grate on top of a larger chassis. That clamp is a creativity unlock: press delicate fish, whole peppers, or skirt steak, spin for even heat, and keep the main grate ripping hot for fat-cap sears. On a single cook, I’ll often park a low coal bed left, a hot zone right, and use the roof as a warmer. Up to ~1,600 sq in total area gives real multi-course throughput.
- Ideal for: hosts who cook for 8–14 often, love experimenting with cuts and sides, and want the clamp to expand technique (asador, veg presses, crispy chicken skins). Specs: 34.5" H × 75.5" W × 23.5" D; 472 lb; elevation ~2.5"–20".
- Brand heartbeat: for me, BBQ08SS is where the “more than just a grill” line lands, friends around a glowing grate, swapping stories while the clamp quietly turns dinner into an event.
BBQ28SS — XL Performance for Serious Entertaining
When the guest list stretches and the menu reads like a festival, I go straight to the BBQ28SS. You’re playing with roughly 2,600 sq in and five distinct cooking areas, including a larger clamp grill and a portable fixed grate that I’ll drop over a calmer coal bed for delicate veg. The Santa Maria wheel gives second-by-second control, and the firebrick panels lock in heat for service-style pacing.
- Ideal for: frequent cookouts for 12–20+, whole primal cuts, multi-protein service, or when you want every technique, sear, smoke-assist, roast, keep-warm, running in parallel without crowding.
- Chef’s habit: I’ll load the clamp with butterflied chicken, sear ribeyes on the main, hold roasted peppers on the roof, and finish provoleta on the griddle. It’s controlled chaos, in the best way.
How to Choose Your Size
Cooking style
- Mostly weeknight cooks for 2–6 and occasional friends → BBQ05SS.
- Frequent groups, lots of sides, clamp experimentation → BBQ08SS.
- Big gatherings, multiple proteins, maximal zone management → BBQ28SS.
Power user tips
- Mix fuels: charcoal for baseline heat, a few hardwood splits for flavor.
- Use the elevation system to “throttle” instead of chasing vents.
- Roof or secondary grates are your holding zones; the griddle is your flavor bank.
Installation & Care
Installation basics (built-in)
- Build with non-combustible materials (concrete/steel).
- Include a drain hole and plan ventilation holes through the base for airflow.
- Keep right-side clearance for smooth wheel travel; verify all cut-outs with the current installation sheet and have the grill on-site before finalizing masonry.
Care & maintenance
- Brush grates hot
- Wipe 304 SS with a non-chloride cleaner; dry to avoid water spots.
- Replace or realign firebricks as needed; they’re your heat battery and inner armor.
If you want the best built-in Santa Maria grills, pick your canvas and cook your story. BBQ05SS brings full Gaucho DNA to compact islands, BBQ08SS unlocks clamp-driven versatility, and BBQ28SS delivers festival-scale control. Robust materials, smart design, multiple surfaces, the gear gets out of the way so you can focus on the fire, the food, and the people. That’s TAGWOOD.
TAGWOOD is the leading Argentine & Santa Maria Open Fire Grill in the World
About Tagwood
TAGWOOD BBQ specializes in Argentine and Santa Maria open-fire grilling equipment designed for outdoor cooking enthusiasts. Their product line emphasizes premium materials, functional design, and authentic open-flame barbecue tradition. The brand highlights its Argentine heritage and passion for grilling, rooted in culture and communal BBQ experiences.
FAQs
Can I combine wood and charcoal?
Absolutely, that’s the point of the brasero (firebox) workflow: light, rake coals, quebracho, layer in wood for flavor, then manage intensity via the elevation system.
Is the clamp grill worth it?
If you cook delicate proteins, vegetables, or want set-and-turn evenness, yes. It also frees your main grate for high-heat sears during busy cooks.
