BTUs measure the heat output of stovetop burners on gas ranges and cooktops. BTUs can vary by burner since some may offer higher BTUs and higher heat than others, even on the same stove. But hotter isn't always better, and you may need to use different burners for different types of dishes.
Learn more about the importance of BTUs and how a thorough understanding can enhance your knowledge of your appliance's functionality.
WHAT ARE BTUS?
BTU stands for British Thermal Unit, and is used as a unit of heat energy. Strictly speaking, BTUs represent the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of liquid water by one degree Fahrenheit. In practice, BTUs indicate how much heat something is able to produce.
On ranges and cooktops, you'll see that gas burners are labeled with a BTU value while elements on electric ranges use wattage to measure how hot they can get.
WHAT DO BTUS MEASURE?
BTUs measure heat energy and, on a gas range or cooktop, are a good way to quantify cooking power. The higher the BTUs, the higher the heat you can achieve with that burner and, often, the bigger the flame. Heat inside a gas oven is also measured in BTUs, with most ovens delivering around 16,000 total BTUs.
Cooking appliances aren’t the only things in your home that use BTU ratings: your air conditioner, gas dryer or gas heater may also use this unit of measurement to measure the energy output of the appliance.
HOW TO CHECK BTU INFORMATION
A gas range or cooktop’s BTU rating shouldn’t be hard to find. The owner’s manual is the place to look for an oven you already have. If you’re shopping for a new one, check the specification section of the product page online or the spec sheet posted near the appliance in-store. A sales associate should also be able to provide you with BTU information on any model you’re interested in.
HOW TO CALCULATE TOTAL BTUS FOR A GAS STOVETOP
Add up the BTUs for each burner to calculate the total number of BTUs for your gas range. Each burner on a gas stove has its own unique BTU level, so the total can vary between models. Check your owner’s manual for the most accurate BTU information.
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE BTU FOR A GAS RANGE OR COOKTOP?
Burners on a residential gas range or cooktop will have somewhere from 500 BTUs all the way up to 18,000 BTUs. On a newer 4-burner range, expect one high BTU burner, one low and two mid-range BTU burners. Often, the higher BTU burners are in the front. On older ranges, there may be less variation, with all four burners being around 10,000 BTUs, enough for your average home cook.
Low: 500-2,000 BTUs. These are often called simmer burners and are good for low-heat cooking like simmering and braising. Because the BTU range is smaller, these burners can also offer better control to help you avoid burning ingredients by managing the heat.
Middle: 2,000-10,000 BTUs. Mid-range BTUs are good for everyday cooking like sautéing and frying.
High: 12,000-18,000 BTUs. These high BTU burners are meant for high-heat cooking like searing and stir-frying. Some commercial or professional-style ranges may go up to 25,000 BTUs, but you'll need to ensure your home has proper ventilation for these powerful burners. Select Maytag® ranges feature a 19,000-BTU Power™ Burner, which delivers intense heat for a seared, juicy steak.
Flexible: 1,000-15,000 BTUs. Some stoves have a burner with an extra-wide range of BTUs or even stacked burners with two different BTUs for added flexibility, like the Power Simmer Dual Stack Burner available on this Maytag® cooktop. Use these types of burners when switching quickly between high and low heat, like when you need to bring soup or stew to a boil then reduce to a simmer.
SHOP MAYTAG® GAS COOKTOPS
Maytag® gas cooktops are built to take on kitchen duty when you need it most. The Power Simmer Dual Stacked Burner gives you precise control over your cooktop, allowing you to boil water rapidly or gently hold low temperatures to simmer sauces—all with one burner.
HOW MANY BTUS DO I NEED?
The ideal number of BTUs for you will largely depend on your cooking needs. 2,000-10,000 BTUs is considered mid-range and suitable for everyday cooking, but the best range for you may include more or less BTUs.
If you want the ability to manage the heat level on your range or cooktop, low BTU burners that range from 500-2,000 BTUs can be helpful. However, high BTU burners, which can range from 12,000-18,000 BTUs, deliver intense heat that’s ideal for searing or sautéing. Burners with mid-range BTUs are good for meals that call for sautéing.
SHOP MAYTAG® GAS RANGES
Select Maytag® gas ranges offer features designed to get you through mealtime, like a 8,000-BTU Oval Burner that helps ensure even heating when you're cooking with oversized pots and pans. Select models also feature the Simmer Burner, which provides from 800 up to 5,000 BTUs of precise, adjustable heat whether you need a delicate or full-power simmer to prepare your food.
VENTILATION CONSIDERATIONS: CHOOSING THE RIGHT CFM FOR YOUR BTU NEEDS
Effective kitchen ventilation can help clear the air of smoke, odors and airborne grease, so it’s important to find the ventilation system that best fits your needs. When selecting a range hood, you should consider a model’s CFM, which measures the cubic feet of air the hood clears per minute.
If you have a gas range or cooktop, it’s recommended you choose a hood that either meets or exceeds your total BTU output. However, if you often steam or fry foods, you may want to consider an even higher CFM for your range hood. Find the CFM you’ll need by calculating the total BTU of your cooktop and range, then dividing it by 100.
Here are factors to consider when finding the type of hood that suits you best:
- Your range hood size should match the width of your cooktop or stove. Standard widths are usually 30 or 36 inches, but compact and extra-wide models may come in different sizes.
- Range hoods typically offer higher CFM Motor Class1 ratings than microwaves with venting capabilities, which means they can circulate more air per minute (cubic feet per minute). However, over-the-range microwaves can offer ventilation in addition to convenient cooking features.
EXPLORE MAYTAG® RANGES AND COOKTOPS
Maytag® ranges and cooktops provide the power and control you're looking for during busy mealtimes. Use the Power™ burner to produce intense heat for quickly searing or to create a slow heat for simmering and melting. With both 4-burner and 5-burner models available, you can choose the right cooktop for your kitchen.
FIND MORE HELPFUL TIPS FROM MAYTAG BRAND
1. Performance varies based on installation. Resources available at AHAM.org.
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