The side burner is the outdoor kitchen appliance that converts a grilling station into a complete outdoor cooking environment. Without a side burner, sauces, sides, and anything that requires a pan must be prepared inside and carried out — the interruption that reduces outdoor kitchen usability. VistaScapes & Design installs side burners as part of complete outdoor kitchen designs in Tulsa. Here is what to know about outdoor kitchen side burner options.

Outdoor Kitchen Side Burner Types for Tulsa

• Single side burner (standard configuration) – A single high-BTU gas burner installed in a dedicated opening in the outdoor kitchen masonry; typically 15,000-18,000 BTU; cast iron grate over the burner; stainless hinged lid that covers the burner when not in use; the most common side burner configuration in Tulsa outdoor kitchens; appropriate for homeowners who cook pasta, sauces, and sides occasionally but don’t need the capacity of a double burner; brands: Summerset, Coyote, Blaze, Napoleon; $200-$450 for the burner unit; installed in the outdoor kitchen masonry at the project
• Double side burner – Two independent burners in a single appliance housing; 15,000 BTU per burner; allows two pots or pans simultaneously; appropriate for homeowners who cook elaborate outdoor meals that require multiple simultaneous cooking processes; the double burner requires a wider opening in the outdoor kitchen masonry (typically 24 inches vs 12 inches for a single burner); planning the double burner location during the design phase is essential — retrofitting a wider opening into existing masonry requires demolition; brands: Coyote, Summerset, Bull; $350-$700; the appropriate choice for Tulsa outdoor kitchen enthusiasts who cook regularly outdoors
• Infrared side burner – A side burner that uses infrared technology rather than open flame; heats faster than conventional burners; higher surface temperature appropriate for wok cooking and high-heat searing applications; Napoleon offers an integrated infrared side burner on several of their built-in grill models; the infrared burner provides a different cooking dynamic than a conventional high-BTU gas burner — not superior in all applications, but preferred by some outdoor cooking enthusiasts for specific techniques
• Side burner placement in Tulsa outdoor kitchen designs – The side burner should be positioned to the cook’s non-dominant side during grilling (left side for right-handed cooks, right side for left-handed); a burner positioned on the dominant side forces the cook to reach over the hot burner to access the grill — a safety and workflow issue. The side burner is typically positioned at the end of the straight-run section of an L-shape kitchen, outside the main cooking zone, so it doesn’t compete for space with the grill prep area
• Side burner vs outdoor single-burner cooktop – Some Tulsa outdoor kitchen designs include a full single-burner cooktop (a single heavy-duty commercial-style burner rated for 30,000-60,000 BTU) for wok cooking or large-pot boiling (crawfish, lobster, large batches of pasta); the single high-BTU cooktop requires more clearance than a standard side burner and a larger masonry opening; appropriate for homeowners who cook frequently at high BTU output for large groups; $400-$900 for a heavy-duty single outdoor cooktop; less common than the standard single or double side burner in Tulsa residential outdoor kitchens

Call VistaScapes & Design at (918) 779-1317 for a free outdoor kitchen appliance consultation in Tulsa. We recommend and install side burners appropriate for your cooking style and outdoor kitchen layout. Free on-site visit, no obligation.