The High BTU Side Burner for Outdoor Kitchen Builds

A high BTU side burner for outdoor kitchen builds adds flexibility that even the best grill can't cover alone. While your grill handles the main course, a side burner opens up a world of possibilities, letting you boil, sear, sauté, or simmer without heading back inside. It's not about replacing your grill; it's about expanding what your outdoor space can do.

With the TrueFlame Power Burner, you get serious heat when you need it and precise control when you don't. From stir-fried vegetables to seafood boils and delicate sauces, the right side burner makes your kitchen more capable, complete, and enjoyable.

Choose the Right Burner Setup for Your Cooking Style

Before installing a burner into your island, it helps to know what type best suits your needs:

• Single Side Burner: Compact and reliable for sauces, melting, and small-pot reheats. Ideal for quick tasks where full power isn’t needed.
• Double Side Burner: Great for multitasking—boil pasta on one, sauté veggies on the other. Versatile but often capped at lower BTUs.
• Power Burner: Built for bold cooking, this burner offers high heat for fast searing, large stockpots, woks, or deep frying. Most units have 50,000 to 70,000 BTUs.

Each setup has its place, but the power burner stands out for its wide heat range and overall strength. If your outdoor kitchen includes events, entertaining, or cooking for five or more people, the extra output isn’t a luxury—it’s a smart move.

High Heat That Matches How You Cook

Power burners open the door to outdoor techniques you can't use with a regular side burner. TrueFlame’s model allows dual control between the inner and outer rings, giving you a fast boil or a gentle reduction—all from one station.

Popular ways to cook on a power burner:

• Boil seafood or pasta fast: With a 60K BTU burner, you'll bring a full stockpot to boil in minutes, not twenty.
• Stir-fry with a wok ring: A consistent, high flame around the edge gives you fast caramelization and crisp-tender results.
• Sear steaks or smash burgers: Use a griddle or cast iron pan over the burner to create crusts that match restaurant-level char.
• Slow simmer or sauce finish: Dial the burner down to hold a pot of beans, soup, or butter sauce without burning.

This flexibility makes it one of the most valuable additions to your island, whether cooking dinner for two or hosting a weekend cookout.

What to Know Before You Install

Installing a high BTU burner involves more than dropping it into a cutout. Because of its higher flame output, you’ll want to plan around space, airflow, and protection.

Key placement and safety factors:

• Clearance to combustibles: Any nearby cabinets must be non-combustible, or you’ll need an insulated jacket to create a safe barrier.
• Proper ventilation: Your island must allow air to circulate underneath and behind the burner to avoid heat buildup.
• Wind and flame control: Place your burner away from open wind corridors, or use side shields to help hold the flame steady.
• Fuel access and support: Ensure your gas line (natural or propane) is rated for the burner’s BTU capacity and reaches the installation area safely.

Professional installers can help confirm cutout dimensions and safe connections. TrueFlame’s product manual outlines all clearances and safety zones to keep your setup running safely long term.

Materials That Withstand the Heat

A high BTU burner puts stress on every component—from the grates to the housing to the control valves. That’s why materials matter.

Here’s what to check before choosing a burner:

• 304 Stainless Steel: This grade holds up to moisture, heat, and exposure. It resists corrosion and keeps its finish year after year.
• Brass Burners: Unlike cast iron or aluminum, brass resists rust and holds heat evenly across the entire burner surface.
• Heavy-duty knobs and ignition: Flimsy plastic controls can warp or crack under extended heat cycles. Look for metal, sealed ignition switches that can take daily use.

TrueFlame’s Power Burner uses 304 stainless steel construction and a dual-brass burner that won't wear down over time. It's built to take heat—day after day, season after season.

Accessories That Expand Your Options

The right accessories can expand what you can do with a high BTU side burner. These tools aren't just nice-to-have—they make the burner more functional across different cooking styles.

Smart add-ons to consider:

• Wok Ring – Holds round-bottom woks securely and focuses the flame where you need it.
• Cast Iron Griddle – Turns your burner into a searing or breakfast station.
• Stock Pot Holder – Adds support for large or heavy pots, keeping them level over the flame.
• Wind Guard – Blocks airflow to keep flames consistent on breezy evenings.
• Protective Cover – Keeps knobs and surfaces protected when the burner isn’t in use.

TrueFlame’s Power Burner includes a heavy-duty stainless steel lid, providing built-in protection from the elements between uses.

Matching Burner Power to Meal Size and Frequency

Choosing the right burner size comes down to how often and how much you cook outdoors. Here's a quick reference to guide your decision.

Cooking Style	Burner Type	BTU Range
Large group seafood boil	Power Burner	60,000+
Stir-fry and wok meals	Power Burner	50,000+
Small batch sauces	Single Burner	12,000–15,000
Multi-dish prep	Double Burner	25,000–30,000
Everyday searing	Power Burner + Griddle	60,000+

If you frequently rotate multiple dishes, host large groups, or work with cast iron cookware, a power burner will match the pace and style you're after.

Questions to Ask Before You Buy

To get the most from your setup, it pays to slow down and ask a few questions before adding a side burner:

• What meals do I cook most outside?
• Do I need high heat fast, or precise control over low heat?
• Is my outdoor island setup safe and ready for a power burner?
• Will this burner make prep and meal timing easier or more efficient?

TrueFlame’s Power Burner is designed to check all those boxes while giving you a practical and impressive outdoor cooking experience.

Ready to Cook More Outdoors?

If you're building a full kitchen or expanding your outdoor setup, a high BTU side burner for outdoor kitchen cooking brings added versatility and real results. From seafood boils to breakfast favorites, it turns a standard grill island into a fully functional cooking station.

Visit the product page here to learn more about the TrueFlame Power Burner and how it can complement your outdoor kitchen.

Let your grill do what it does best—and let the burner take care of everything else.