7 Best Propane Grills With Side Burners For Outdoor Kitchens Pros Trust

Building an outdoor kitchen is about more than just adding a grill; it’s about creating a new heart for your home where friends and family can gather. A propane grill with a side burner is the command center of this space, letting you sear a steak and simmer a sauce without ever leaving the party. Choosing the right one means finding the perfect balance of power, features, and durability for the way you cook.

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Weber Genesis E-335: The All-Around Workhorse

If you’re looking for the one grill that can handle almost any task you throw at it, the Weber Genesis E-335 is a top contender. Think of it as the reliable, do-it-all packhorse of the grilling world. It’s built for the family that grills several times a week, from quick weeknight burgers to a full weekend barbecue.

The design focuses on creating a complete cooking station. Its primary burners provide consistent, even heat across the entire surface, minimizing the hot and cold spots that plague lesser grills. The addition of a dedicated high-heat "Sear Zone" burner is a game-changer, allowing you to get that perfect crust on a steak without overcooking the rest of the grill. Paired with the side burner for simmering sauces or sautéing vegetables, it consolidates your entire cooking process into one efficient outdoor space.

This grill represents a tradeoff of premium features for rock-solid fundamentals and longevity. While it may not have some of the flashier tech of other models, its heavy-duty construction and proven performance mean it’s an investment that will handle years of backyard weather and cookouts. It’s the right choice for the person who values reliability over bells and whistles.

Napoleon Prestige 500 RSIB for Infrared Searing

For the outdoor cook whose top priority is achieving a steakhouse-quality sear, the Napoleon Prestige 500 RSIB is engineered with you in mind. The standout feature here is its "Sizzle Zone" infrared side burner. This isn’t your standard gas burner; it uses ceramic plates with thousands of ports to generate intense, radiant heat that can reach up to 1,800°F in seconds.

This technology allows you to lock in juices and create an incredible crust on meats almost instantly. The main grilling area is no slouch either, with four primary burners and stainless steel wave cooking grids that provide Napoleon’s signature sear marks. This setup is ideal for someone who loves reverse-searing thick-cut steaks or quickly searing tuna.

The RSIB model also includes a rear infrared rotisserie burner, expanding its versatility for cooking whole chickens or roasts. The tradeoff for this specialized searing power is a higher price point. This grill is for the dedicated enthusiast who sees grilling not just as cooking, but as a craft worth investing in.

Broil King Regal S490 Pro for Precise Heat Control

Imagine wanting to hold a perfectly low temperature for smoking ribs, then crank it up to high for searing, all with confidence. The Broil King Regal S490 Pro is built for that level of precision. Its solid stainless steel cooking grids and Flav-R-Wave cooking system are designed for superior heat retention and distribution.

The real control comes from Broil King’s Dual-Tube burners and Linear-Flow valves, which give you minute control over the flame from low to high. This isn’t just about on or off; it’s about dialing in the exact temperature you need for different cooking styles. This makes it a fantastic tool for the griller who likes to experiment with everything from indirect cooking to baking on the grill.

Included with the Pro model are a rotisserie kit and a powerful side burner, making it a complete package. The investment here is in the heavy-duty components and the engineering focused on heat management. It’s the grill for the cook who treats temperature not as a suggestion, but as a critical ingredient.

KitchenAid 720-0891C: A Stylish & Powerful Grill

When your outdoor kitchen is a seamless extension of your indoor living space, aesthetics matter. The KitchenAid 720-0891C delivers powerful performance wrapped in a sleek, stylish design that complements a modern patio or deck. It’s for the host who wants their equipment to look as good as the food tastes.

But this grill is more than just a pretty face. It boasts impressive power from its main burners, providing high, even heat that’s great for a crowd. The angled flame tamers are a key feature, deflecting grease, preventing flare-ups, and vaporizing drippings to infuse food with more flavor. The side burner adds the necessary utility for preparing side dishes, making it a functional centerpiece.

The primary consideration here is the balance between form and function. While built with quality materials, it’s designed for the home user who values a clean, high-end look. It proves that you don’t have to sacrifice power for a grill that elevates the style of your entire outdoor entertaining area.

Monument Grills Mesa 400M for Feature-Rich Value

For the griller who wants all the modern conveniences without the top-tier price tag, the Monument Grills Mesa 400M packs a surprising amount of punch. This grill is built for the budget-conscious enthusiast who doesn’t want to compromise on features. It’s proof that you can get a versatile and enjoyable grilling experience without breaking the bank.

The Mesa 400M often includes features typically found on more expensive models, such as LED control knobs for evening grilling, a clear-view window in the lid to check on food without losing heat, and a capable side burner. Four main burners and a side sear burner provide plenty of cooking power and flexibility for a variety of meals.

The key tradeoff is in the materials and long-term durability compared to premium brands. While it’s a solid performer, it may not withstand a decade of harsh weather in the same way a heavier-gauge stainless steel grill would. This makes it a great choice for a first "serious" grill or for someone who prioritizes features-per-dollar.

Blaze Prelude LBM 3-Burner for Custom Kitchens

When you’re moving beyond a standalone cart grill and designing a permanent, built-in outdoor kitchen, your needs change. The Blaze Prelude LBM 3-Burner is engineered specifically for this purpose. It’s a grill head designed to be dropped into a custom countertop, creating a clean, integrated look.

This model focuses on the essentials of high-performance grilling and durability. Constructed from commercial-grade 304 stainless steel, it’s built to withstand the elements year-round. The 14-gauge stainless steel burners are heavy and designed to last, while heat zone separators allow you to cook at different temperatures simultaneously on the grill surface.

The Blaze Prelude series is about providing a professional-quality foundation for your custom outdoor kitchen. It doesn’t come with a cart or a side burner attached—you add those as separate modular components to fit your specific design. This is for the serious planner who is building their dream outdoor space from the ground up and needs a reliable, powerful core component.

Dyna-Glo Premier 4-Burner for Reliable Grilling

Sometimes, you just need a grill that works, and works well, every single time. The Dyna-Glo Premier 4-Burner is a straightforward, reliable option for the griller who values consistent performance for everyday meals. It’s perfect for the person who fires up the grill after work for chicken, sausages, and vegetables.

This grill focuses on providing a large cooking area with even heat, powered by four stainless steel tube burners. The cast iron cooking grates are excellent for retaining heat and creating beautiful sear marks. With a simple push-button ignition and a functional side burner for your corn on the cob or baked beans, it covers all the bases for classic backyard grilling.

The Dyna-Glo offers a great balance of cooking space and power for its price. It may not have the infrared burners or heavy-duty construction of its premium counterparts, but it provides a dependable platform for anyone looking to master the fundamentals of grilling. It’s a workhorse for the weekend warrior.

Char-Broil Signature 4-Burner for TRU-Infrared

Flare-ups are the bane of many grillers, turning a beautiful piece of chicken into a charred mess. The Char-Broil Signature 4-Burner tackles this problem head-on with its TRU-Infrared cooking system. This technology places a special emitter plate between the flames and the cooking grate, converting convective heat into radiant infrared heat.

The result is incredibly even cooking with virtually no flare-ups, as drippings are vaporized before they can hit a flame. This also helps food retain more of its natural moisture, leading to juicier results. This grill is a fantastic choice for beginners who are nervous about managing flare-ups or for anyone who wants a more forgiving and foolproof grilling experience.

The tradeoff for this unique system is that it cooks differently than a traditional gas grill, which might require a slight learning curve for seasoned veterans. However, for those who prioritize juicy results and ease of use, the TRU-Infrared system on the Signature series, combined with a standard side burner for versatility, is a compelling and effective solution.

Ultimately, the best grill isn’t the one with the most burners or the highest price tag; it’s the one that matches how you want to cook and gather. Think about your space, your budget, and whether you’re searing steaks for two or grilling burgers for the whole neighborhood. Don’t get lost in the gear—get the right tool for the job, and then get outside and make some memories.