Best Gas Grill With Side Burner Under 500
A full outdoor kitchen on a budget. We compare the top side burner gas grills under $500 to help you pick the right one for your space.
By TheYardForge — outdoor and garden gear, analyzed honestly for real backyards
You are mid-cookout, the burgers are resting, and suddenly you realize the beans are still cold and the corn needs boiling. A side burner fixes that without forcing you to run inside. So what is the best gas grill with a side burner under $500? After analyzing manufacturer specs and long-term owner reports, the top pick for most people is the Weber Spirit II E-310 (check the current price on Amazon). It does not always include a side burner in every bundle, so the smarter play is often a reliable 3-burner grill plus a freestanding side burner. The reality is that under $500, side burners are usually a trade-off. You either get a solid main grill with a weak side burner, or a weaker main grill with a surprisingly good side burner. Here is where each option fits.
Quick note: some links in this article are Amazon affiliate links, they support the blog at no extra cost to you.
What Actually Matters at This Price
Most sub-$500 grills with side burners are 3-burner or 4-burner models from brands competing on feature count. The side burner usually puts out between 10,000 and 12,000 BTU, which is fine for a pot of beans or boiling water but weak for searing a steak or a proper wok. The main cooking surface is where your money should go.
We analyzed owner feedback and spec sheets, and three patterns keep coming up. First, rust on the side burner lid is the most common complaint after one or two seasons. Second, the side burner often sits too close to the main lid, so using both at once gets cramped. Third, people who use the side burner weekly are far happier with a freestanding single burner than a built-in one. Knowing that shifts the whole decision.
Three Solid Routes Under $500
Here is a quick comparison of the three realistic approaches, based on manufacturer specs and typical owner experiences.
| Approach | Best for | Watch out for | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weber Spirit II E-310 | Reliable main grilling, 10-year warranty | Side burner not always included | Check on Amazon |
| Keter or Outsunny freestanding burner add-on | Serious side cooking, wok use | Takes extra patio space | Check on Amazon |
| Budget 4-burner combo grill | Maximum features for the dollar | Rust and uneven heat common | Check on Amazon |
If you want the most honest route, here is what we usually recommend. Buy the best main grill you can afford, then add a side burner separately only if you truly need one.
Numbered route to picking yours
- Decide if the side burner is a weekly need or a nice-to-have. Be honest.
- If it is weekly, start with a freestanding burner from Outsunny or a similar brand, then pair it with any reliable used or new grill.
- If it is occasional, look at a Weber Spirit II E-310 bundle (check the current price on Amazon) and confirm whether your specific bundle includes the side burner before buying.
- If you want everything in one unit under $500, expect a thinner lid, weaker side burner, and a 1-to-2-season lifespan on the side burner components.
- Always check the exact model number on the product page because side burner inclusion changes constantly by bundle, year, and retailer.
Our analysis of the best gas grills under $500 in 2025 shows the same pattern: the main burners and grate quality decide whether you enjoy the grill in year three, not the side burner.
Who Should Skip the Side Burner
This is the part most buying guides leave out. If you already have an outdoor power outlet and a portable induction burner, you probably do not need a gas side burner at all. An induction burner boils water faster, has no open flame, and costs less to run. The side burner only wins if you specifically want gas cooking outside, or if you cook with a wok and want real flame.
Skip a built-in side burner if you live in a humid coastal area and do not cover your grill. Skip it if your patio is tight and you never cook sides outside. Skip it if you are choosing between a better main grill and a mediocre grill with a side burner. The main grill always wins.
What we recommend most often is the Weber Spirit II E-310 as the core, then adding a freestanding burner only if you actually use it. That combo outperforms almost every sub-$500 combo grill with a built-in side burner, based on the specs and owner reports we reviewed.
Related reading
FAQ
Can I add a side burner to any gas grill?
Not directly. Most side burners are built into the frame or sold as freestanding units that connect to a propane tank. Adding one to an existing grill usually means buying a separate freestanding single burner, not bolting one onto your current grill.
How many BTUs should a side burner have?
For boiling water and basic sides, 10,000 to 12,000 BTU is enough. For wok cooking or searing, you want 15,000 BTU or more, which is rare on sub-$500 built-in side burners and more common on freestanding units.
Is a Weber Spirit II E-310 under $500?
Pricing fluctuates, and the side burner bundle sometimes crosses the $500 line depending on the season. Check the current price on Amazon and confirm the exact bundle includes the side burner before ordering.
Do side burners rust quickly?
Yes, the side burner lid and burner itself are the most common rust points on budget grills. Covering the grill and keeping the side burner lid closed when not in use helps, but expect more maintenance than the main burners.
Can I use a wok on a built-in side burner?
Usually not well. Most built-in side burners under $500 lack the concentrated high heat a wok needs. A freestanding high-BTU burner does a much better job.
The honest take is simple: under $500, a great side burner and a great main grill rarely live in the same unit. Pick the main grill first, confirm the side burner is real and not a spec-sheet afterthought, and be ready to go freestanding if you actually cook sides outside often.