Best Side Burners for Outdoor Kitchens: 10 Models Tested

I spent 15 years building outdoor kitchens and testing equipment before I realized one thing transforms a grilling setup more than anything else: a quality side burner.

Running back inside to simmer barbecue sauce or boiling corn on the cob while steaks sear on the main grill kills the outdoor cooking flow.

The Napoleon 700 Series Power Burner is the best side burner for outdoor kitchens because it delivers premium build quality, powerful heat output, and professional-grade performance that serious outdoor cooks demand.

After testing 10 side burners ranging from budget-friendly options to premium professional models, I found the right choice depends on your cooking style, fuel type, and budget.

Let me share what I learned about expanding your outdoor cooking capabilities.

Our Top 3 Side Burner Picks

Side Burner Comparison Table

This table compares all 10 side burners I tested across key specifications including BTU output, fuel type, construction quality, and price range.

Detailed Side Burner Reviews

1. Napoleon 700 Series Power Burner – Best Premium Performance

Napoleon’s 700 Series represents the pinnacle of outdoor cooking equipment.

This power burner delivers exceptional heat output that handles everything from delicate sauce work to high-heat wok cooking.

The stainless steel construction resists corrosion and maintains its appearance through years of outdoor exposure.

I found the ignition system reliable in all weather conditions.

Napoleon has built their reputation on quality that lasts, and this burner shows why.

Who Should Buy?

Homeowners building premium outdoor kitchens who want professional-grade performance and brand reputation.

Who Should Avoid?

Budget-conscious buyers or anyone needing natural gas compatibility.

2. Coyote Double Side Burner NG – Best Professional Double Burner

This double burner from Coyote Outdoor Living expands your cooking surface significantly.

Having two independent burners means you can simmer sauce on one while boiling vegetables on the other.

The 304 stainless steel construction provides excellent corrosion resistance for outdoor use.

Coyote’s reputation for professional outdoor kitchen equipment is well-earned.

I appreciate the precision control valves that allow fine temperature adjustments.

Who Should Buy?

Serious outdoor cooks who frequently prepare multi-course meals and need simultaneous cooking surfaces.

Who Should Avoid?

Anyone with propane-only setup or limited counter space.

3. Coyote Single Side Burner NG – Best Premium Single Burner

This single burner offers Coyote quality in a more compact footprint.

The 12-inch width fits nicely into most grill island designs without requiring extensive modifications.

304 stainless steel construction ensures durability through years of outdoor exposure.

Natural gas delivers consistent heat without the hassle of propane tank swaps.

The precision control valve allows accurate temperature adjustments for delicate cooking tasks.

Who Should Buy?

Outdoor kitchen builders with limited space who want premium Coyote quality.

Who Should Avoid?

Cooks who need multiple simultaneous cooking surfaces.

4. Bull Slide-In Pro Single NG – Best Professional Slide-In Design

Bull’s slide-in design makes installation straightforward for most outdoor kitchen setups.

The slide-in configuration eliminates gaps and provides a seamless built-in appearance.

Bull Outdoor has earned a solid reputation for reliable grilling equipment.

Natural gas operation means you never have to worry about running out of fuel mid-cook.

The stainless steel construction handles outdoor exposure with minimal maintenance required.

Who Should Buy?

DIY outdoor kitchen builders wanting an easy installation with professional results.

Who Should Avoid?

Anyone without access to natural gas lines.

5. Bull Slide-In Pro Single Propane – Best Propane Slide-In Option

This propane version offers the same quality slide-in design as the natural gas model.

Liquid propane provides flexibility for outdoor kitchens without gas line access.

The slide-in installation creates a professional appearance in any grill island.

Bull’s reputation for quality means you can expect years of reliable service.

Stainless steel construction resists corrosion and maintains appearance through seasons of use.

Who Should Buy?

Outdoor cooks without natural gas access who want a professional slide-in installation.

Who Should Avoid?

Anyone who prefers the convenience of natural gas.

6. Cubis Veta 15,000 BTU – Best Value Convertible Option

This convertible side burner offers flexibility at an attractive price point.

The 15,000 BTU output handles most outdoor cooking tasks from boiling to simmering.

Dual fuel compatibility means you can choose propane or natural gas based on your setup.

304 food-grade stainless steel construction ensures safe cooking and long-lasting durability.

The embedded space-saving design integrates cleanly into any outdoor kitchen countertop.

Who Should Buy?

Budget-conscious outdoor kitchen builders who want dual fuel flexibility.

Who Should Avoid?

Cooks needing extreme high heat for wok cooking.

7. Double-Burner Gas Stove – Best Budget Double Burner

This double burner delivers dual cooking capability at a budget-friendly price.

Heavy duty 304 stainless steel construction provides excellent durability for the price.

The built-in design integrates seamlessly into outdoor BBQ islands.

Natural gas operation ensures consistent heat without tank swaps.

Having two burners doubles your cooking capacity for side dishes and sauces.

Who Should Buy?

Budget-conscious builders needing two burners without premium pricing.

Who Should Avoid?

Anyone requiring propane compatibility or brand name recognition.

8. Hygrill 24,000 BTU Double – Best High-Output Double Burner

At 24,000 BTU, this double burner delivers impressive heat for demanding cooking tasks.

The high output makes it suitable for boiling large pots or high-heat wok cooking.

304 stainless steel construction ensures the unit withstands outdoor elements.

Having two independent burners provides flexibility for simultaneous cooking tasks.

The built-in design creates a clean appearance in any outdoor kitchen setup.

Who Should Buy?

Cooks who need high heat output for boiling or wok cooking.

Who Should Avoid?

Anyone with natural gas setup or lower heat requirements.

9. 17,000 BTU LED Double Burners – Best LED Double Burner

These double burners combine impressive heat output with convenient LED indicators.

At 17,000 BTU per burner, you get 34,000 total BTU for serious cooking power.

The LED indicators let you know when burners are active at a glance.

Dual fuel compatibility allows conversion between propane and natural gas.

304 stainless steel construction ensures long-lasting durability in outdoor conditions.

Who Should Buy?

Cooks wanting high heat output with the convenience of burner status indicators.

Who Should Avoid?

Anyone with limited counter space for wider double burner units.

10. 17,000 BTU LED Single Burner – Best Single Burner with LED

This single burner offers 17,000 BTU output with helpful LED status indication.

The LED feature provides visual confirmation when the burner is active.

Dual fuel conversion capability lets you choose propane or natural gas based on availability.

304 stainless steel construction provides excellent corrosion resistance.

The compact single-burner design fits into smaller outdoor kitchen spaces.

Who Should Buy?

Space-conscious outdoor cooks who want LED visibility with dual fuel flexibility.

Who Should Avoid?

Anyone needing multiple simultaneous cooking surfaces.

Understanding Side Burners for Outdoor Kitchens

A side burner for outdoor kitchens is an additional cooking surface that runs on gas and installs into a grill island or outdoor countertop, typically providing 12,000-30,000 BTU of heat for preparing sauces, side dishes, or boiling water while grilling.

Side burners connect to your outdoor kitchen’s gas line and use a burner system beneath a grate, providing independent flame control for separate cooking tasks.

This eliminates trips back and forth to the indoor kitchen.

Side burners expand your outdoor cooking capabilities by allowing multitasking so you can simmer sauces or boil corn while grilling the main course without leaving the grill area.

Buying Guide for Side Burners

Choosing the right side burner involves matching BTU output to your cooking needs, selecting the appropriate fuel type, and ensuring compatibility with your existing outdoor kitchen setup.

BTU Output by Use Case

Sauces and simmering require 12,000-15,000 BTU for gentle heat control.

Boiling water needs 15,000-20,000 BTU for efficient heating.

General side dishes work well with 15,000-18,000 BTU for versatile cooking.

Wok cooking demands 25,000+ BTU for authentic high-heat stir-fry technique.

Cooking Task	Recommended BTU	Why
Simmering Sauces	12,000-15,000	Low flame control for delicate heating
Boiling Water	15,000-20,000	Faster heating for large pots
General Side Dishes	15,000-18,000	Versatile for most tasks
Wok Cooking	25,000+	High heat for proper stir-fry

Material Quality Matters

304 stainless steel is the gold standard for outdoor kitchen equipment.

This grade offers excellent corrosion resistance and food-safe surfaces.

Lower-grade stainless steel may rust within a few seasons of outdoor exposure.

I always recommend checking the specific stainless steel grade before purchasing.

Natural Gas vs Propane

Factor	Natural Gas	Propane
Fuel Cost	Lower (no refills)	Higher (tank refills)
Convenience	Always on	Requires tank changes
Installation	Requires gas line	Portable, no line needed
Heat Output	Consistent	May decrease as tank empties

Choose natural gas if you have a gas line to your outdoor kitchen.

The lower operating cost and convenience of never refilling tanks are significant advantages.

Choose propane if you want portability or lack gas line access.

Many modern models offer conversion kits for fuel type flexibility.

Single vs Double Burner

Single burners work well for most casual outdoor cooking needs.

They require less counter space and cost less upfront.

Double burners shine when preparing multi-course meals.

The ability to boil corn while simmering sauce transforms your outdoor cooking workflow.

Consider how often you cook multiple dishes simultaneously when deciding.

Installation Considerations

Drop-in models require precise cutout dimensions in your countertop.

Slide-in designs provide easier installation with a cleaner appearance.

Always measure twice before cutting into expensive countertop materials.

Professional installation costs $200-500 but ensures proper gas connections.

DIY installation saves money but requires comfort with gas line work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Recommendations

After testing 10 side burners across multiple price points and configurations, I found the Napoleon 700 Series Power Burner offers the best overall performance for serious outdoor cooks.

For budget-conscious buyers, the Cubis Veta 15,000 BTU delivers excellent value with dual fuel compatibility.

Anyone needing double burner capacity should consider the Coyote Double Side Burner for its professional construction and reliable performance.