If you're going to add the sidekick for a griddle, sear box or pizza oven then the front shelf is absolutely necessary. Adding the sidekick deletes the side shelf you have so unless you are using your grill in part with some already fabricated work station you'll have nowhere to set anything to work on anything outside of the top of the pellet hopper. For the price (especially on Guidefitter) it is a very worthwhile add on for your unit.