Gassers - Side Burner Question: How

[(Wildman)]

How often do you use your grill's side burner? and what do you use it for?

In a previous thread, Weber was the overwhelming brand recommendation for my new gas grill.

Then I asked myself "3-burner grill w/sideburner *OR* 4-burner grill, no sideburner...?" and because 'myself' would Really Appreciate your opinions, I'm posting the question here!

:-)

[Greasy]

I've only used my side burner to start a chimney of charcoal. Other than that I have never used it.

[MBMorgan]

Honestly, I've never used mine ... other than its flip-up lid onto which I stick my ChefAlarms and/or Smoke thermometers. In my case, I just don't want to deal with the need to clean up whatever spatters all over my deck. The only real reason I got the Weber Genesis EP-330 model was the all-stainless innards. The side burner really didn't figure into the decision.

FWIW, the side burner on my 2 year old EP-330 is rated at 12,000 BTU.

[Brewmaster]

Mine are over 30 years old and they don't have enough BTU's to do anything except heat sauce, the newer ones may be better, something to ask Weber about

[fzxdoc]

I use mine occasionally, but it doesn't get that hot. I prefer putting my cast iron pans right on the grill for searing.

I used it to start a charcoal chimney once. Then I found it melted the burner flange which then had to be replaced. See this topic for that discussion.

Kathryn

[rodkeary]

I don't recall ever having used it personally. I saw my wife light up a cigarette on it many years ago but that won't happen again as she has quit.

I really don't even know why I got one with a side burner. I think it was just included on the Weber model I purchased from Home Depot about 8 years ago. Decent price AND assembly included plus free delivery. The fact that it had a side burner didn't even come into the equation.

Funnily enough a while back I was discussing BBQ's with some buddies over a few beers. We talked up what each of us had, methods, favourites etc. I distinctly remember more than one of the boys saying "I have a XXX BBQ with a side burner - but I've never used it".

Cheers,

[Willy]

I use it when I need to cook something that will foul the air in the house--say, chiles, vinegar, etc. It's not an every cook thing but it is indispensable for some things. I wouldn't be without a side burner. Plus, it comes in handy for the occasional side dish.

[W.A.]

Very very rarely

[bten]

I used mine so rarely, that I didn't get one on my new grill. I intend to build an outdoor kitchen using my new grill. I am strongly considering getting some sort of power burner. The one on my old grill would hardly boil water. I think I used it once in 15 years.

We like to boil shrimp and such, I couldn't do that on the side burner.

I live south of Houston. Recently I made a basting sause in the kitchen that consisted of butter, lime juice, garlic juice, onion juice, etc. Everything was in the kitchen so it was easier to make it there.

I took the pot outside and kept it on a shelf on my grill. It was 75 deg F outside, so I didn't have a problem with the butter going solid.

Had I lived up north, a side burner would be nice to keep basting solutions warm.

I think a lot of it depends on where you live.

[jgreen]

If I am cooking mushrooms or onions I often put them in a cast iron pan on the side burner.

[SMO]

I use mine any time I want to keep heat and steam out of the house in summer. In winter I want the heat and steam in the house! And there you have it, the two seasons in MN.

[Potkettleblack]

I've used mine for a few things. Mushroom saute -> red wine mushrooms for steak... frying oil for SV wings, sauce warming, butter browning.

[Argoboy]

I have used mine more than a few times, the first was when the power was off one morning to make coffee, we like to boil fresh corn on it in the summer. There is no issue with not enough heat with ours, we have a Napolean grill. I have used it to simmer controlled burn hot sauce as well. I am glad I have it and I plan to use it more with some cast iron pans that I have been collecting.

[BruceB]

I have a vintage Brinkmann built like a tank, it;'s going to last forever! The side burner is great for an attached table, I use it regularly to light chimneys of charcoal, and it gets used for things that can get cooked outside when the rest of the grille surface is occupied, like when we host a huge block party.

[Inky]

Living in a trailer over the summer I tend to use the side burner alot for the veggies and sauces.