Compare gas barbecues with side burner

The figure describes the number of main burners under the cooking grate plus a separate burner in the side shelf. A 4+1 grill therefore has four burners in the cooking chamber and an extra hob with its own control knob. The side burner usually has its own lid, which doubles as a shelf when closed.

Some manufacturers call the extra burner a "side cooker" or "side hob"; on some models it is an infrared ceramic burner for very high temperatures. The latter is better suited to searing steaks than to cooking in a pot.

The classic use is barbecue sauce or frying onions while the meat is on the grate. Boiling corn on the cob, heating water for pasta, a pan of prawns or a Dutch oven are also possible. If you'd rather spend as little time as possible in the kitchen in summer, you'll appreciate the extra flame.

Side burner models are usually large trolley grills. Allow enough floor space and check whether the cabinet fully accommodates the gas bottle. Make sure the hose and regulator fit the bottle and that the hose doesn't touch hot parts.

Here too, quality shows in details such as the burner material, the fit of the lid and the stability of the side tables – especially if a heavy pot is going to sit there.

If you mainly grill sausages and steaks outdoors, you'll rarely use the side burner. If, on the other hand, you like cooking complete meals outside, it saves you trips to the kitchen. Many models with a side burner cost only a little more than comparable grills without one – so the extra cost is often justifiable. Still, the quality of the main burners and the cooking chamber matters more than the extra flame, because that's where the actual grilling happens.