Types of gas stove burners: Which one to use?

You’ve probably noticed that the burners on your gas stove are not all the same, and you might even have a favorite burner. It’s true that the burners on your gas stove are not all created equal, and they can often be used for different purposes and cooking methods. Read this guide to learn more about the types of gas stove burners and how they can help you execute your most inspired recipes.

KitchenAid^® gas ranges and gas cooktops offer burners in a variety of configurations and ranges of BTUs.

What are the different types of gas stove burners?

Gas stoves typically have four to five burners. The types of gas stove burners can range in size from small to extra-large and be used for different cooking styles and cookware.

Smaller burners are often great for smaller cookware and for precise, low flame cooking like simmering, while larger burners are often ideal for larger cookware and boiling or fast cooking. The medium-sized burner can typically cover anything in between and is a great, all-purpose burner.

If the cooktop or range has an extra-large burner, it is often a high BTU burner used for fast boiling or for large pots or specialty cookware. It is also sometimes used to heat griddles on models that may offer a griddle feature.

Whisk in saucepan over all-purpose gas burner

1. Simmer burner

The smallest burner on the stove—sometimes called the simmer burner—often has an output of 500 to 2,000 BTUs, but this may vary by make and model. This burner is great for simmering and other precise cooking that needs a low flame. The smallest burner can also be useful for warming soups and melting chocolate. Stovetops are often configured with the smallest burner in the back. Simmer burners on KitchenAid^® stovetops can be as low as 700 BTUs.

2. All-purpose burner

The all-purpose burner is generally medium-sized and typically has an output of 8,000-12,000 BTUs. Mid-range BTUs are good for everyday cooking like sautéing and frying. The all-purpose burner is often located in the back of the cooktop or range.

Large pan with vegetables cooking on power burner

3. Power burner

The large or “power” burner is a maximum output burner used for fast cooking and boiling. The power burner is often located in the front on the right side of the cooktop or range. These high BTU burners typically have an output of 12,000 to 18,000 BTUs—although this may vary by make and model—and are meant for high heat cooking like searing and stir-frying.

4. Oval burner

Some cooktops and ranges have an oval burner in the middle of the cooktop, which can often be used for cooking when using longer cookware such as griddles or oblong pans. You can often heat up large, longer cookware on this fifth burner more effectively than you could if using a smaller burner. The oval burner often has an output of around 10,000 BTUs, but this may vary by make and model.

5. Dual ring burner

On certain cooktops and ranges, there may also be a dual-ring burner. A dual-ring burner allows you to go from one small flame for precise simmering to a dual flame for powerful boiling, all on the same burner. Some cooktops such as this KitchenAid^®30" 5-Burner Gas Cooktop come with a powerful 17,000 BTU professional dual-ring burner, allowing you to go from one small flame for precise simmering to a dual flame for powerful boiling.

Shop KitchenAid®gas ranges with Dual-Flame Burners

Find the flexibility you need for a gentle simmer or a blazing flambé with KitchenAid^® gas ranges. The industry’s most powerful and largest 2-in-1 Burner on select KitchenAid^® gas ranges offers an unparalleled and versatile cooking experience. This innovative design features a stacked central burner, perfect for adapting to any cookware and recipe. Seamlessly transition from the oval burner, ideal for griddle cooking, to the round center burner, capable of handling your largest pots and pans. On select KitchenAid^® commercial ranges, two 20,000 BTU Ultra Power^™ Dual-Flame Burners give you precise control of powerful highs, steady lows and the wide range of temperatures in between.

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Which burner should you use on a gas stove?

The burner you choose should depend on both the cooking technique and the cookware you are using. In general, it is often helpful to utilize the smaller burners for simmering and braising, the medium/all-purpose burners for sautéing or frying, and the large burners for searing and boiling.

If your cookware is small, the simmer burner may work best, and if your cookware is large, the large area of the power burner might be most useful.

Learn how to easily clean gas stove burners after cooking.

What are BTUs on a gas stove?

BTUs (British Thermal Units) measure heat energy and, on a gas range or cooktop, can be used to quantify cooking power. The higher the BTUs, the higher the heat and usually, the bigger the flame. You can typically find information about the BTUs for your gas stove or cooktop in your owner’s manual.

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What is the average BTU for a gas stove?

Burners on a gas range or cooktop will typically have between 500 BTUs all the way up to around 20,000 BTUs, although this may vary by make and model. On a 4-burner range, you can usually expect to find one high BTU burner, one low burner, and two mid-range BTU burners. Below are some general estimates, although some models may vary:

Simmer burners: 500-2,000 BTUs
Mid-range burners: 2,000-10,000 BTUs
Power burners: 12,000-20,000 BTUs

Select KitchenAid^® commercial-style range burners reach from 5,000 up to 20,000 BTUs. Learn more about commercial-style and pro-style ranges.

Shop KitchenAid®gas cooktop and ranges

Unlock a range of possibilities when you create with KitchenAid^® gas cooktops and ranges. The 12,000 BTU Oval Burner on select KitchenAid^® ranges is the most powerful oval burner available. This high-heat 12K BTU burner helps you create the perfect sear on steaks, scallops and stir-fried veggies. On select KitchenAid^® gas cooktops, the 19,000 BTU Multiflame Burner works as an all-purpose professional burner, providing the ability to use both high- and low-temperature cooking methods so you can go from a boil to a simmer without changing burners.