Best Santa Maria Style Grills (2026)

How to pick your Argentine Santa Maria Grill

• Size & zones: The real game-changer isn’t just size, it’s how many distinct cooking zones you can run at once (grate, secondary grate over the brasero, griddle, hooks, clamp or roof grills). In our day-to-day, height adjustment plus a proper firebox matter more than fancy add-ons.

• Built-in vs. freestanding: If you’re finishing an outdoor kitchen, the cleanest look is a built-in (BBQ05SS). If you host often or need mobility and prep space, go freestanding or XL models. In our experience, built-in buyers value seamless integration more than max surface.

• Material & lifespan: All five picks are 304 stainless steel, body, grates, and accessories, so you get serious longevity and easy cleaning. That’s a big reason our customers graduate from mixed-material rigs to full 304. 

Our Best Argentinian Style Santa Maria Grills

BBQ03SS — Best performance-to-price starter

If you’re new to Argentine Santa Maria grilling, the BBQ03SS nails the fundamentals: 4 cooking zones (main grate, secondary grate above the firebox, interchangeable griddle, S-hooks) and 710 sq in total area. It’s full 304 SS, with the elevation wheel and firebrick brasero for steady heat. We find this model ideal for learning fire management without outgrowing it next season. 

Why we like it: Reliable heat control, real multi-zone cooking, and a forgiving learning curve. (the secondary grate over the firebox is where we keep sides happy while the main grate handles proteins.)

Key specs: 710 sq in total; 33.75"×16.5" main; 9"×17" secondary; 304 SS; firebox with firebricks.

BBQ05SS — Best built-in for outdoor kitchens

A tidy, integrated look with 3 cooking zones (main grate, interchangeable griddle, S-hooks) and 557 sq in total. If your priority is a sleek kitchen layout, this is the go-to. In practice, our built-in customers love the ergonomics and still get true Santa Maria control. 

Why we like it: Clean install, real open-fire feel, and enough space for family cooks. When we consult on kitchen builds, BBQ05SS is the default pick unless you require showtime features.

Key specs: 557 sq in total; 33.75"×16.5" main; 304 SS body/grates/accessories; 34"H×48.5"W×19.75"D; 294 lb.

BBQ06SS — Most versatile (clamp and roof plus 5 different cooking zones)

If you want “wow” factor and pro-level control, this is it: 5 zones including clamp grill with 360° rotation and roof grill, with ~825–1,600 sq in total area. In our experience, the clamp is the single biggest upgrade for fish, veggies, and whole cuts, you’ll rotate, baste, and dial heat like a pro.

Why we like it: It’s a live-fire playground. During demos, the clamp or roof combo wins hearts (and crispy edges).

Key specs: 5 zones (main, secondary, griddle, clamp, roof); 304 SS; 64.5"H×92"W×23.5"D; ~558 lb.

BBQ23SS — Best XL for events & catering

Need space without going full “premium XL”? The BBQ23SS delivers 1,117 sq in across main, secondary, and griddle, perfect for parties and pop-ups. When we’re feeding bigger groups, the extra depth on the main grate makes simultaneous sear or slow setups very manageable. 

Why we like it: Big, but approachable. If you host often, you’ll appreciate how easily this layout runs mains and sides at once.

Key specs: 1,117 sq in total; main 33.75"×26.75"; secondary 9"×23.75"; 304 SS; 64.5"H×68.5"W×33"D; 485 lb. 

BBQ26SS — Best premium & maximum capacity

For ultimate throughput and show-cooking, the BBQ26SS is a monster: 2,600 sq in and 5 distinct surfaces (main, secondary, clamp, griddle, roof). It’s our premium XL recommendation when you want headroom for anything—from whole fish to oversized roasts, without crowding the grate. We’ve run full mixed-menu services on this model and still felt unrushed. 

Key specs: 2,600 sq in; main 33.75"×26.75"; secondary 23.5"×9"; 304 SS; ~657 lb; 66.75"H×91.5"W×33"D.

Side-by-side comparison for the best Santa Maria Grills

All five include a front-access firebox (brasero) with firebricks and a height-adjustable Santa Maria system; all are 304 stainless steel. 

Use & maintenance tips

• Master the elevation wheel first. In our experience, grate height + coal bed depth = 90% of your temperature control. Dial those in before chasing accessories.

• Work in zones. We routinely park veggies or sausages on the secondary grate above the firebox while the main grate handles steaks. It’s a natural traffic system.

• Clamp = finesse. When you add the clamp (BBQ06SS/26SS), delicate fish or whole peppers get even heat and effortless flips. We rotate 360° to baste without losing heat.

• 304 SS care is simple. Scrape hot, wipe warm, finish with a light oil film. Firebricks protect the body and help even out heat—another reason we prefer this architecture for frequent cooks.

If you’re building a minimalist outdoor kitchen, BBQ05SS is the elegant, capable built-in. For portable Santa Maria cooking with room to grow, BBQ03SS is our value workhorse. Want the most creative live-fire canvas? BBQ06SS (clamp + roof) is pure versatility. Need serious capacity without going extreme? BBQ23SS hits the sweet XL spot. And if you want the flagship that does it all for crowd-pleasing show cooks, BBQ26SS is the premium pick.

FAQs

What is 304 stainless steel and why does it matter?

Type 304 is commonly referenced as 18% chromium / 8% nickel stainless steel (18/8), a combination associated with corrosion resistance and durability characteristics used across stainless applications.

Which Santa Maria Grill has the biggest cooking surface?

The BBQ26SS has the biggest cooking surface