Are Side Burners On A BBQ Worth It?

Summer is all about barbeques and having fun with friends. Everyone loves the idea, but sometimes the truth can be a mad dash between the kitchen and the grill, and even if you have one of the best cooking, all the food feels like one giant breath. On the table, not too burnt.

I recently discovered the joys of side burners on this best gas grill. Yes, it's your grill ring and for some people it's a no-brainer. But there are a number of reasons why I think it's a great idea and can not only take the stress out of grilling but also improve the experience by opening up more creative possibilities.

So if you're not sure, read on as I dive into the pros and cons of this extra grilling feature. To give you a little more inspiration, I'm going to tell you what I used on my side burner when I tried it in a recent BBQ review, and you might be surprised.

Funhouse gas grill 4 + 1 burner

The side burner is one of the highlights of this very affordable Vonhaus gas grill. You can use it for burgers, steaks, or anything else you want to grill onions on.

Read our full review of the Vonhaus 4 + 1 Burner Grill.

Everdoor by Heston Blumenthal Force 2 Gas Grill

If you're using a counter-top stove, the Everdur Force is a pretty ideal grill that makes use of available space in place of a convenient side table.

Read our full review of Everdure Force.

Benefits and uses of side burners

A big plus is that you have the option of heating up a side dish or sauce while you're grilling. I find that cooking the pepper sauce while cooking a delicious steak allows me to adjust the cooking time of the sauce before adding some delicious roasted vegetables to the steak.

Even if you're not doing anything adventurous, the side burner can still be used to soften onions for burgers and hot dogs. Or put a fried egg on top of a grilled steak. All these little extras add to the dishes, but if you had to rush between the grill and the kitchen, you probably wouldn't care. Or do you just want to go further.

When I recently reviewed a gas grill with a side burner, I grilled and used the side burner to heat up beans and eggs, which meant I could cook all my food outdoors. If I had to cook half of it in the kitchen, I wouldn't try this dish on the grill.

Then there is the option to use it even if you are not grilling. I can imagine winter wine boiling as you sit around the fire. Or a pan of hot chocolate will keep you warm as you enjoy fiery drinks during bonfire night. If you have an external projector, you can use it to make popcorn. The versatility that a simple gas side burner can add to your outdoor kitchen is truly amazing and impressive.

Disadvantages of side burners

The side burner is usually placed on one of the side tables, so when you cook on it you lose the side table, which is a trifle. But many have a lid that closes over the stove, so if you're not cooking on the stove, you can still use the space as a table.

Another thing to keep in mind is that if you prefer a grill with a foldable table to save space, the side is usually attached to the hob. This means that the stand is larger and for additional storage.

Although I do think a side burner can reduce cooking fatigue by reducing the number of trips between the grill and the burner. The downside is that it can become a juggling act when you're trying to do too much on the grill. I definitely found that when I made the aforementioned casserole, I started to get a little overwhelmed with so many different ingredients being cooked at once. However, when you keep things simple, it has been very helpful. So it depends on what you're cooking.

After all, no matter how good a side burner is, it's a useless addition if you don't use it. Therefore, it pays to think carefully about what you usually cook on the grill and whether adding a burner side will work with your side dishes and sauces. Depending on the brand of grill, the side burner can add to the price of the grill, so if you know you'll never use it, save some money and go for a more compact model.

Is a side burner worth it?

In short, in my opinion, the side burner will be invaluable to both novice chefs and culinary enthusiasts and will certainly add an extra dimension to your outdoor dining experience. But if you just want to grill a chicken breast and walk away, this probably isn't for you. And when making your decision, consider the size and cost of this addition to see if the math is right for you.

Hardware review. The best gas grills under $500 and our test winners