If you’re looking for a new gas range, you’ve likely heard of BTUs when researching a stove’s cooking power. But what are BTUs on a range? How many BTUs do I really need? What else should I consider if I choose a range with a high BTU output?
We’ll answer these questions and more so you can make the right purchase for your cooking preferences.
Interpreting BTUs:
What Are BTUs on a Range and
What do They Really Mean
While a stove with a higher BTU output generally has more power, this doesn’t always mean it’s a better range. After specifying what are BTUs on a range, we’ll discuss what they mean for daily cooking needs.
What is a BTU?
BTU is an abbreviation for the term “British Thermal Unit” and is how we measure the power of a stove’s burner. Technically, one BTU is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. When asking what are stove BTUs what we’re really wondering is how much power does a stove’s burner generate.
How Many BTUs Do I Need?
Professional ranges can have burners with BTU ratings of 15,000-25,000. This is because a restaurant kitchen requires hotter, faster cooking power to meet the demands of customers. Professional chefs are also trained to effectively manage the higher flames and heat of these ranges.
Typical BTUs of a gas stove for residential use include one high output burner at around 12,000 BTUs, with others between 1,000-9,000 BTUs. These power levels easily accommodate the boiling, simmering, and sautéing needs of a typical home cook. When asking how many BTUs do I need for my gas range, the number itself isn’t always the most important factor. In fact, the most important factor to consider is the range, or variance, of power a stove provides for daily cooking needs and preferences.
What Else Should I Consider When Choosing a High BTU Range?
As professional-grade stoves have become more available to home cooks, many have opted for a high stove BTU rating. Whether it fuels a love of cooking or complements a luxurious kitchen, here are some other considerations when choosing a high BTU range:
- Cost: Most stoves with a high BTU rating will cost more upfront and use more gas than a typical stove, translating to higher utility costs over time.
- Ventilation: higher BTUs typically require more powerful ventilation. You may also need to purchase a stronger vent if you plan to do a lot of high heat cooking
- Cookware: some standard cookware may not be able to withstand the stronger heat from professional-grade burners. Make sure your pots and pans won’t be damaged from these higher BTUs or invest in cookware that can handle these heat levels.
- Skill level: managing higher flames with more power can be difficult for some home cooks without additional practice and experience.
Do Electric Stoves Have BTUs?
Now that we’ve discussed what are BTUs on a range with gas power, do electric ranges have BTUs too? No, electric stove power is not measured in BTUs. Generally, an electric stove measures power in watts, a standard measure of electrical output. One watt is equal to 3.41 BTUs per hour.
Whether you’re wondering what are BTUs on a range or why you have a gas range not lighting, Action Appliance Repair can help. Let our range repair technician address any gas stove need!
