It does, It's gotta go somewhere. No reason a small pan will hurt anything, but don't use one you care about keeping. If you're running the 2 outside burners at low to med enough heat is going to be don there to turn that pan into a crusty mess. I guess you could put some water in it but then it's one more thing you have to watch. Me personally I don't bother. That's what the drip tray is for, plus you do still get some nice smoke off from the flavo bars even over the non operating burner