A grate is a cooking surface found on all grills. The majority of grills include a side burner, which is an extra cooking grate. Side burners are indeed additionally connected grates used to prepare side dishes and other things for a meal. Although you can cook whatever you can typically cook on stovetops on a side burner also. Do you require a side burner? What advantages will you receive? How does it function, and where is it needed? We'll review all the information you need about side burners. So, read all the way through to the end for the answers.

What is a side burner?

A side burner is a cooking surface powered by gas, and it's very similar to kitchen stoves. Its smaller size enables it to be attached to the main burner like charcoal or gas burners. It's not beneficial to cook larger food items that are in larger quantities. Instead, it is useful as a side stove to handle side dishes like fresh corn, potatoes, cobs, beaked beans, and other items.

Types of grills containing side burners:

Two types of grills have side burners:
Gas grill: It's a side burner that is attached to the grill or can be separated if you want. But it comes only with the models the company provided; otherwise, you can purchase a simple gas burner if you don't want to spend additional money.
Charcoal hybrid grills: Charcoal hybrid gas grills contain side burners at an additional price to make your outdoor cooking experience more convenient.

Why do you need side burners?

Side burners contain their own side flame so that you can cook food at a temperature other than the primary grate. Moreover, the primary heat grate that is 500 to 800 Fahrenheit is not suitable for cooking vegetables and grilling small items. As small item cant take much temperature and they can burn quickly. Direct grates are perfect for cooking main meat. While side burners enable you to cook your side dishes when cooking meat on the main grate. Therefore it gives you the freedom to cook at a time. A different flame than the main cooking grate is used to heat the side burners. As a result, you may adjust the side burner's temperature on your grill without impacting the meat cooked on the main grate. As an additional cooking surface, side burners are helpful. If your grill's main burner is broken or not functioning properly, you can use the side burner to prepare meals. Of course, using a side burner won't allow you to cook large items, but it's still an effective and reliable option for cooking small foods.

Uses of a side burner:

An essential and underrated outdoor grilling item is the side burner. Here are some justifications for having a side burner
Frying dishes:
A side burner is used for frying food with a special odor. Frying fish, hushpuppies, and fresh fries are the ideal option to cook with side burners. It gives you the opportunity to fry outdoors with grilling.
Simmering soups and boiling:
Side burners help you to prepare sauces and boil anything side by side. You will need a large pot to add your green vegetable in the pot and leave it to cook. Moreover, you can use a side burner for simmering soups and boiling corn for dinner. A side burner is small in size and would not take much space so that you can cook food side by side. You may prepare delicious glazes and sauces that go well with grilled main dishes on a grill with a side burner. A side burner is appropriate because of its temperature control since glazes and sauces need a lower temperature than other dishes. Put ingredients and sauces into the pan, then heat them on a side burner to cook them.

Stream food:
Oysters can be steamed on a side burner when the other dishes are grilling on the main grates. Start by taking 1 cup of water and 1/2 glass of beer to a boil before steaming the oysters. Ensure the oysters are arranged in the pot and place a colander inside. After bringing the liquid to a boil, steam the oyster for 10-12 minutes. The side burners have slow flames, which will help you get an extra edge for cooking soft oysters.
Cooking in a wok:
Side burners enable you to cook vegetables and other food in a wok. You can boil water and potatoes and make soups in a wok over the side burners. But always use an iron wok that heats up quickly and keeps the wok heated so you can stir and fry your side items.
Cooking at a time:
You can keep items like water boiling, cooking eggs, heating sauces, and frying chicken or fish all at once with a side burner. While using the gas grill for cooking the main meal, you may also use the side burners to keep food warm. A grill with a side burner will alleviate your troubles if you're trying to multi-task well while cooking dinner and hosting guests. So a side burner is the only solution that you need right now.

Do you need a side burner?

You need a side burner right now if you are facing the following issues:
If you're frequently facing power outages, a side burner is your foremost need. It helps to grill food on a gas cooktop without electricity.
Do you want to save time in outdoor grilling or cooking? A side burner helps you to do multi-tasking, like helping to make the sauce, boiling food, or grilling side dishes.
 If you can't grill vegetables on the main grate as they burn due to high temperature. Then a side burner is a must-needed option to grill and fry vegetables without being burned.

Is the side burner a must-needed item?

Side burners are handy while cooking outside. We find it useful in several ways, like cooking sauces, grilling vegetables, and other side items complimenting your dishes. But it would help if you needed the main grate for grilling or cooking steaks, BBQs, and others. The side burner is not providing you the opportunity to examine food at different temperatures. You can only boil food, simmer sauces, etc., but you can also do it on your gas stove. So the conclusion is a side burner is a helpful addition but not necessary for grilling. Therefore before purchasing it, ask yourself whether you need a side burner?. This question should be your first consideration when choosing a side burner. A side burner may not always be necessary, but it is still quite useful.

Final words:

A side burner is a practical tool for those who adore utilizing a grill to prepare food outside. Furthermore, it's a tool that saves time, but you may use it to prepare additional meals quickly. With all the advantages we've just discussed, a strong-side burner would seem an absolute need for any backyard barbecue leader. After all, side burners are discreet and tiny and come in various designs at very reasonable prices. But even while it is undoubtedly helpful, a side burner isn't absolutely necessary when grilling food. You can still enjoy delicious grilled food without it.