Outdoor Kitchen Side Burners: Why They Matter and How to Choose the Right One
The side burner is the most consistently undervalued component in outdoor kitchen planning. Homeowners spend months deliberating over grill brands, countertop colors, and cabinet cladding — and then almost select the side burner as an afterthought. It shouldn’t be. A well-chosen side burner changes the entire outdoor cooking experience, from a grill-only setup into a complete outdoor kitchen that can handle everything a stovetop can handle — and more.
What a Side Burner Actually Enables
Without a side burner, the outdoor kitchen is fundamentally a grilling station. With a side burner, it becomes a complete cooking environment. The difference in practical terms:
- Barbecue sauce simmered in a cast iron pan while the ribs finish on the grill — no running inside to use the range
- Corn on the cob boiling in a large pot while burgers grill simultaneously
- A large pot of pasta or rice timed to finish with the protein
- Sautéed mushrooms and onions for topping steaks — burner at full heat while the grill works the proteins
- A full seafood boil with crab, shrimp, corn, and potatoes — no kitchen required
- Deep frying — catfish, chicken, donuts — without bringing hot oil into the kitchen
For homeowners who entertain regularly, a side burner is not a luxury add-on. It’s the difference between a grill station and an outdoor kitchen.
Types of Side Burners
Standard Side Burner (15,000 to 30,000 BTU)
The most common type — a single gas burner in a cut-out with a hinged lid cover when not in use. Adequate for sauce, vegetables, pasta, and most stovetop cooking tasks. Many grills include a single side burner integrated into the grill body, which is a convenient and space-efficient option for kitchens where counter space is at a premium.
Double Side Burner (two burners in one cut-out)
Two independent burners in a single drop-in unit — allows simultaneous cooking of two stovetop items without taking up twice the counter space. Strongly recommended for homeowners who cook for 8+ guests regularly. Allows one burner for rice and another for sauce, or one for vegetables and one for a large boiling pot.
Power Burner / Wok Burner (60,000 to 100,000+ BTU)
A high-BTU burner designed for high-heat cooking that a standard side burner can’t deliver. This is what you need for:
- True wok cooking — requires 60,000+ BTU for proper wok hei (the high-heat char that makes wok-cooked food taste right)
- Deep frying large batches — turkey, chicken, or fish require rapid oil temperature recovery after each load
- Cajun seafood boils with large pots — bringing 5 to 10 gallons of water to a hard boil quickly
- Rapid boiling of large pasta pots at party scale
A power burner is a specialized tool — not everyone needs one. But for homeowners who deep-fry turkey at Thanksgiving, do crawfish or shrimp boils in the summer, or cook authentic Asian cuisine, it’s transformative.
Gas Supply Considerations for Side Burners
Adding a side burner increases total BTU demand on your gas line. This must be factored into gas line sizing at the design stage. A grill running at 60,000 BTU plus a double side burner running at 40,000 BTU is already 100,000 BTU — add a power burner at 80,000 BTU and you’re at 180,000 BTU simultaneous demand. If the supply line isn’t sized for this load, pressure drop will affect performance across all appliances.
Plan the gas supply for your full planned appliance load — not just what you’re installing today.
Side Burner Brands We Specify
- Napoleon: Side burners and double side burners integrated with Napoleon grills or as standalone drop-in units — consistent quality
- Blaze: Excellent standalone drop-in burners with good BTU output and solid stainless construction
- Coyote: Single and double side burner options with reliable outdoor rating
- Fire Magic: High-end side burner options that integrate with Fire Magic grill lines
- Power burner options: Bull Outdoor Products and Lynx make well-regarded high-BTU power burners for outdoor kitchen installation
Where Side Burners Fit in the Kitchen Layout
Side burners should be positioned adjacent to prep counter space — you’ll need room to set pots, add ingredients, and monitor cooking. Placing a side burner at the end of a counter run with no adjacent surface creates a frustrating workflow. In our kitchen designs, we position the side burner between the grill and a dedicated prep zone so the cook can move between cooking surfaces without crossing the entire kitchen.
Call us at (918) 779-1317 or visit 413 N Walnut Ave Suite A, Broken Arrow, OK 74012 to discuss side burner selection for your outdoor kitchen build.
