Side Burners Under $1,000: Single & Double Burner Buying Guide

For one saucepan, start with a single side burner. For two dishes at once, choose a double side burner. Northwoods Grills carries both below $1,000, including the Bonfire CBASSB at $389, RCS Cutlass Elite CDB1EL at $799, TrueFlame TFSB2 at $999 and Summerset SB2-PRO at $999.

Prices checked October 8, 2026, for the burner itself. Fuel-specific availability, installation, liners and optional accessories can change the total. Follow each product link for current pricing.

Which side burner under $1,000 fits the way you cook?

Side burner Price Output Why shortlist it?
Bonfire CBASSB single side burner $389 12,000 BTU One cooking position for sauces, vegetables and everyday sides; 304 stainless steel.
RCS Cutlass Elite CDB1EL $799 24,000 BTU total Two 12,000 BTU burners, 304 stainless steel and an illuminated control panel.
TrueFlame TFSB2 $999 24,000 BTU total Two cooking positions with 304 stainless construction and LED-lit controls.
Summerset Pro SB2-PRO $999 24,000 BTU total Two independently controlled burners, 443 stainless construction and a protective lid.

These are buying shortlists based on listed features and price, rather than results from a head-to-head cooking test. All four have natural gas and propane choices in our catalog; select the correct fuel variant before ordering.

Single or double: buy the cooking positions you will use

For one pot: Bonfire CBASSB

If you usually warm barbecue sauce, sauté vegetables or cook one side dish, the Bonfire single side burner is a straightforward starting point. Its 12,000 BTU cast brass burner gives you a separate place for a pot without paying for a second cooking position. Check the pot base against the grate and confirm the installation dimensions before purchasing.

For complete meals: RCS CDB1EL

The RCS Cutlass Elite double side burner lets you prepare two components at once, such as vegetables and sauce. Its $799 price puts a two-burner appliance comfortably below the $1,000 equipment budget. Two 12,000 BTU burners provide flexibility; the combined 24,000 BTU rating does not mean one pot receives all that output.

For a matching finish: TrueFlame or Summerset Pro

The TrueFlame TFSB2 and Summerset SB2-PRO both cost $999 at this check. Compare their panel styling, lighting and material specifications with the rest of your outdoor kitchen. TrueFlame lists 304 stainless steel; Summerset lists 443. Neither stainless finish removes the need for routine cleaning and protection from accumulated salt and debris.

What a $1,000 burner budget should include

A burner priced below $1,000 can still have an installed total above $1,000. Ask for the burner, any manufacturer-required insulating liner, gas connection work and lighting power requirements to be priced together. A countertop opening and a gas connection are separate planning decisions.

  • Confirm natural gas or propane and the exact model number.
  • Use the installation manual for cutout width, depth and height; nominal appliance size is not the opening size.
  • Check whether the enclosure contains combustible materials and whether the manufacturer approves a matching liner.
  • Have the installer confirm gas supply capacity, clearances and ventilation.
  • Check fuel-specific lead time before scheduling construction.

When should you step up to a power burner?

If your main goal is large seafood boils or round-bottom wok cooking, compare a dedicated power burner and its approved cookware support. A double side burner's two cooking positions are useful for separate dishes, but they are not equivalent to a power burner's rings heating one large pot. Read our power burner buying guide for the next step.

Side burner buying questions

Is a side burner worth it?

It is useful when you regularly cook sauces or sides outdoors and want to keep those pots at the cooking station. If you rarely use a saucepan outside, preserving prep counter space may be more valuable.

Can I use a natural gas side burner with propane?

Order the variant matching your fuel supply. Conversion is model-specific and should only follow the manufacturer's approved procedure and parts with a qualified installer.

Does a stainless steel lid replace a weather cover?

A lid protects the cooking area when the burner is cool and unused. A fitted weather cover can provide additional protection; confirm compatibility for the exact burner model.

Get help choosing your side burner

Shop side burners under $1,000 or speak with a Northwoods Grills product expert. Send your fuel type, budget, opening dimensions and the dishes you want to cook. Call 843-212-7209 for help narrowing the list.

Related: side burner FAQs · full side and power burner comparison.

More burner buying decisions

Explore all side and power burner buying guides: compare single and double cooking positions, fuel types, cookware, replacement fit, accessories and complete equipment budgets.