How much cooking power in BTUs does a gas range need?

Gas ranges often feature several burners across ranges of BTUs designed to help you achieve different cooking techniques and heat levels. The amount of cooking power you'll need in BTUs can depend on the type of dishes you're making, but the range of BTUs available to you depends on your range type.

A residential gas range typically has burners of at least 500 BTUs to cook at low heat; however, some models can have burners with BTUs all the way up to 18,000. Understanding what BTUs mean and how to increase BTU properly can help you get the most out of your gas range each mealtime.

What does BTU stand for and what does it measure?

BTU stands for British Thermal Unit, a helpful way of quantifying cooking power when cooking on a gas range or stove. BTUs serve as a measurement of how much heat the burners on a range are able to produce. Inspect the product specifications for exact BTU burner ranges for your specific range model.

Being mindful of BTU values when cooking can help you use the burners on your gas range more effectively.

What is the average BTU for a gas stove?

On average, a gas range can have burners with BTUs ranging anywhere from 500 to 18,000 BTUs, depending on what the burner is being used to cook. Newer ranges, for example, usually come with one high BTU burner, one low and two mid-range BTU burners while older ranges may have less variation.

Simmer burners often have a BTU range that is smaller, usually between 500 and 2,000 BTUs, making them great for low-heat cooking and greater control. Burners with a mid-sized BTU range between 2,000 and 10,000 are good options for everyday cooking like sauteing and frying, and high BTU burners, which range from 12,000 to 18,000 BTUs, are useful for high-heat cooking like searing and stir-frying. Some range models may feature burners with larger BTU ranges of anywhere between 1,000 and 15,000 for added flexibility when switching quickly between high and low heat.

Why is my gas stove not getting hot enough?

A common reason behind gas range burners not being hot enough are surface burner flames that are too low or uneven, which is the result of incorrectly positioned burner bases or caps. To better ensure your burners are getting hot enough when cooking, always make sure that all burner caps are seated properly on their burner bases.

How do I make my gas stove flame better?

If your range burners aren't getting hot enough, try inspecting the burner ports for any clogs. If you notice any food or grease build-up, make sure the stove is off, then clean the clogged burner port with a straight pin, needle or small-gauge wire by inserting it gently into the port and removing the debris.

How do I increase BTU on my stove?

A BTU is a measurement of the heating capacity of burners and can be increased by modifying burner power via range controls. By using a burner with a large BTU range, you can increase the number of BTUs from low to high quickly. This is useful when bringing a soup or stew up to a boil from a simmer.

For example, the varying burner sizes of select Whirlpool^® 5-burner Ranges and Cooktops are useful for gaining precise control for changing heating power depending on your particular dish.

What size gas line is needed for a gas range?

Choosing the right size for range gas lines can be unique to your kitchen layout, which is why it’s important to consult a professional for assistance during installation or repair. A professional will be able to identify the right size gas line to use to connect your range to the fuel connector.

Shop Whirlpool^® Ranges & Stoves

From slide-in and freestanding options to electric and gas models, Whirlpool^® Ranges and Stoves are designed with your family’s cooking needs in mind. Explore convenient features like fast-heating burners and Air Cooking Technology, which brings variety to mealtime with Air Baking, Air Roast, Air Broiling and more.