A gas grill side burner offers far more versatility than simply searing steaks, providing a dedicated cooking zone that can significantly expand your outdoor culinary capabilities. In fact, there are at least seven distinct ways to leverage this often-underutilized feature, from preparing sauces to frying side dishes, making your grill a true outdoor kitchen.
Simmering Sauces and Gravies
One of the most practical uses for a gas grill side burner is simmering sauces and gravies. While your main grill grates are occupied with the primary protein, the side burner allows you to keep a pot of BBQ sauce warm, reduce a marinade, or even prepare a rich gravy to accompany your grilled meats. This prevents the need to constantly run back and forth to your indoor kitchen, keeping all your cooking consolidated outdoors. For explore our gas grill reviews on this site.
Boiling Water for Sides
Forget about waiting for water to boil indoors. Your side burner is perfect for boiling water for pasta, corn on the cob, or even blanching vegetables. This is especially convenient when hosting larger gatherings, as it frees up stovetop space inside and keeps the heat and steam outside. A rolling boil can be achieved quickly, making meal prep more efficient.
Frying and Sautéing Small Dishes
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Our Picks for the Best Gas Grill in 2026
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| Num | Product | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Endark 4-burner propane gas grill | Stainless steel construction | Dual side racks and wheels | Designed for patio, garden, and backyard cooking |
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| 2 | Endark 3-burner Propane Gas Grill | 37,000 BTU Stainless Steel with Side-iFre Function | with Enameled Cast Iron Grate,Thermometer and Side Stand Wheels | Great for Patio and Garden Outdoor Cooking |
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| 3 | Black Portable Gas Grill, Dual 10,000 BTU Burners, 275 Sq.In Cooking Space, Push-to-Start Ignition, Wind-Proof Lid with Built-in Thermometer, Perfect for Camping Tailgates & Backyard BBQ Cookouts |
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| 4 | 2 Burner Propane Gas Grill with 26,500 BTUs Output, Porcelain-Enamel Main Body and Lid, Propane BBQ Grill with Warming Rack & Side Tables for Patio, Backyard, Poolside Gatherings |
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| 5 | R.W.FLAME 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill with Side Burner, Stainless Steel Propane Grill 42000BTU for Outdoor Cooking, with Porcelain-Enameled Cast Iron Grates, Baking Pan, Silver |
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| 6 | Cuisinart Chef's Style Tabletop Portable Propane Grill, 20,000 BTU Stainless Steel 2-Burner Outdoor Gas Grill for Camping, Tailgates, BBQ, Hassle-Free Setup, Twist-Start Ignition, CGG-306 |
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| 7 | GasOne GP-1030S One 3 Burner Stainless Steel– Outdoor Cabinet Style with Wheels-High-Temperature Paint Coating Gas BBQ Grill – Elegant and Luxurious Design, Black |
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| 8 | Monument Grills 4 Burner Propane Gas Grill, Stainless Steel Outdoor Patio Barbecue Grill, with Broil Zone Fast Heating, Knob Control, and Easy Cleanup, M410MBZ |
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| 9 | WAA Portable Propane Griddle, Tabletop Portable Propane Gas Grill, Stainless Steel Flat Top Grill, Outdoor Cooking for Tailgating,Camping, RVs, BBQ, Patio, Silver (3-Burner-2) |
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| 10 | Tabletop Gas Grill 3-Burner, 22-inch Portable Propane Grill, 30,000 BTUs Stainless Steel Grill with Foldable Legs, Ideal for BBQ, Camping, Patio, Backyard, Tailgate, and Holiday Gatherings |
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The consistent heat of a side burner is ideal for frying and sautéing. Think about preparing crispy onions, sautéing mushrooms, or even frying up some bacon for a brunch cookout. This keeps greasy splatters and strong odors out of your indoor kitchen, making cleanup easier and your home smelling fresher.
Keeping Food Warm
When you’re juggling multiple dishes, the side burner can serve as a convenient warming station. Place a pot of chili, baked beans, or a pan of grilled vegetables on low heat to keep them warm without overcooking while the rest of your meal finishes. This ensures everything is served at the perfect temperature simultaneously.
Preparing Complementary Dishes
The side burner allows for the preparation of entire complementary dishes that wouldn’t fit or cook well on the main grates. This could include stir-fries in a wok, scrambled eggs for breakfast, or even a batch of pancakes. It truly transforms your grill into a multi-functional cooking appliance.
- Cook delicate seafood in a pan.
- Prepare a quick soup or stew.
- Heat up tortillas or pita bread.
- Make a batch of fried rice.
- Brew coffee for after-dinner enjoyment.
Deep Frying Small Items
For those who enjoy a bit of deep-fried goodness, a side burner can safely accommodate a small pot for deep frying. This is perfect for making homemade fries, onion rings, or even fried chicken wings without the mess and lingering smell indoors. Always use caution and appropriate oil temperatures when deep frying.
Making Desserts
Don’t limit your side burner to savory dishes. It can also be used to prepare simple desserts like caramelized apples, a fruit compote, or even a warm chocolate sauce to drizzle over ice cream. This adds a sweet finish to your outdoor dining experience, proving the side burner’s ultimate versatility.
This really opened my eyes to the versatility of the side burner. I’ve been underutilizing mine for years! The suggestion about frying side dishes like onions or peppers right there on the grill is brilliant. It keeps the kitchen clean and all the delicious smells outside where they belong. Can’t wait to try it this weekend.
I always just used my side burner for keeping things warm, but the idea of boiling water for sides out there is a game changer. I’m tired of running in and out of the house for pasta or corn on the cob. This will definitely make my grilling sessions smoother and keep everything consolidated outdoors like it mentioned.
I’ve been looking for ways to get more out of my grill, and the tips here are fantastic. I never thought about using the side burner for simmering sauces while the main grates are busy. It’s so much more convenient than trying to juggle pots inside and out. My BBQ sauce will be perfectly warm from now on!
Good ideas, but I found that my side burner doesn’t always get hot enough to really boil water quickly, especially on a windy day. It’s fine for simmering, but for a rapid boil, I still end up going inside. Maybe it’s just my specific grill model, but it’s a bit of a drawback for that particular use case.