Skip to content
Stores Contact

Which Side Burner Class is Right for You?

No outdoor kitchen is complete without a side burner. It allows you versatility in your cooking without having to redo the entire setup. Fortunately for you, we’ve compiled an easy guide that will help you find your ideal side burner. We've sorted this sea of burners into three simple classes – Practical, Premium, and Luxury. As their names suggest, this separates them based on important factors like quality, performance, and price. Not every bbq side burner is the same. So, learn more about bbq grill side burners and find the one best fitted for you!

BBQ Grill Side Burner Classes?

Let’s start by giving you the general features of each class of side burner for your grill. This way, you'll get a broad understanding of what to expect.

Practical

Practical side burners are made from mixed materials, this makes them durable, but may need to be replaced after 3 – 5 years. They also have the smallest range out of the different classes.

Premium

Premium side burners are typically made entirely from stainless steel and will last for years without discoloring or getting tarnished. They have a larger heat range and have several features.

Luxury

Luxury side burners are made from commercial-grade stainless steel and will last even through harsh outdoor conditions. They have the highest heat range and come with the most features.

What to Look For

Depending on your needs, you will gravitate to different kinds of classes and models of side burners. In this section, we’ll grade what you can expect in terms of quality, performance, features, and price from each category.

Quality

The material used in your side burner is the best indication of quality. Go for a burner made with materials that are durable and have high resistance to the elements. These include stainless steel and aluminum.

Performance

When it comes to performance, the main thing to look out for is the heat range, the size, and the efficiency. A side burner with high performance will have a large heat range, allowing for many styles of cooking.

Features

Features are an essential part of your burner. Drip pans allow you to safeguard against grease causing a fire hazard. Control knobs will allow fine regulation. A large range of features is important for safety and precision.

Practical Side Burner

Quality

These side burners are made of mixed metals and typically have a painted exterior, this will leave it open to corrosion and weak to the elements. All this leads to a product that will work for a season or two but will need to be replaced sooner than later.

Performance

Practical side burners only offer a small heat range. The burner will not be able to achieve a super low heat for simmering that sauce you’ve been thinking about making, but it also won’t be able to achieve high heat for a perfect sear.

Features

The design of practical side burners is limited compared to luxury or premium models. Their limited manufacturing budget does not allow for many additional components. They also have little to no warranty, as the mixed materials have low durability.


Premium Side Burner

Quality

Most premium side burners have entirely stainless-steel bodies but sometimes are made of brass or cast iron. These materials are durable and relatively stain-resistant. You can expect a premium side burner to last longer than the practical models.

Performance

Premium side burners do not easily lose heat, and their flames have protection from the wind. Another great performance feature for premium side burners is the wok ring and center trivet for large vessels, opening up your cooking experience.

Features

Control knobs for premium side burners are often LED-illuminated for ease of use. They also generally come with drip pans to clean them easily. Premium burners are also can often fit into odd spaces on your kitchen countertop.


Luxury Side Burner

Quality

Most premium side burners have entirely stainless-steel bodies but sometimes are made of brass or cast iron. These materials are durable and relatively stain-resistant. You can expect a premium side burner to last longer than the practical models.

Performance

Luxury gas side grills use a large heat range. Their design allows them to channel heat in a way that increases efficiency. This means you'll use less fuel for the same result. Some models can efficiently heat up to 40 quarts-sized vessels.

Features

All luxury side burners have pull-out drip pans for grease removal and cleanup. This prevents fire hazards and makes maintenance easier. The control knobs are generally LED-lit, along with the grills and outdoor kitchen.


Behind the grill

Professional recipes from incredible chefs!

Christie Vanover - GirlsCanGrill Nick Hill - SaltFireBBQ Chuck Matto - ChucksFlavorTrain Derek Perry - FreedomSoHard Jason Glover - DadsThatCook Chris Apple - WhiteBullsBBQ