Is it worth a special order to get 14K BTU burners or are 12K enough?

L

lisainla

Well-known member
That looks like the deciding factor in my choice of ranges.

Will I regret not getting the higher BTU burner? Will I even notice?

Any input appreciated!

 
Lisa, I just got a new gas cooktop. The thing I looked for is that the

burners all have the same function. That is to say, I didn't want one that had two small simmer type burners, two medium type burners and then one big burner. I got a 5 burner model where the 4 exterior burners can all be turned down to a simmer and up to a nice high heat. Then the middle one is a bit larger round and can get the most hot for large stock pots and wok cooking.

I am just now learning how to get that golden crispy crust on my fish fillets. So I think I have enough BTUs on all the burners for that. I can check tonight when I go home what their output is.

 
Lisa, my cooktop is at least 13 years old, the large burners are 11,000 BTU. My problem is

at the low end, can't get them down far enough. The high end seems fine. I do have an All-Clad and other heavy saute pans and even with them and cast iron, I rarely use high. Usually just for stir-frying. It would seem to me that unless you have all very heavy pans and do a lot of stir-frying and searing, 12 would be fine. And if you do get the 14, I'm wondering if you'd better have a very good exhaust system to go with it. This exhaust system isn't that good and one reason I don't like to use high heat. Just my opinion, take it with a grain of salt, smileys/wink.gif.

 
Hi LisainLA - I have a Dacor with 2 14K burners, 2 12,5K and 2 8.5 and I almost always use the.

12,500 burners. They are really powerful.

My last house I put in a Thermador Star cooktop that had 1 15K burner and 2 12K and 2 8K. What was really cool was that 2 of the burners (1 12K and 1 8K) could simmer itself on and off at a low temp of 200somethings. The burner would actually turn on and off, on and off by itself. Perfect for a sauce or mashed potatoes you made early. I really miss this feature.

I don't think you will miss 2K if you go with the 12K.
Good luck!

 
Thank you so much, Barb. These are things I didn't think about, so your info

is very helpful to me!

 
THanks Curious. Great point about the exhaust hood, as I am not planning on replacing

mine. I think it will handle a 12, but not sure about a 14 so I'll definitely have to check.

Thank you so much!

 
Thank you so much, Sue! This is the type of feedback I need to help me -

I've looked at so many specs my eyes are crossing! Of course the sales people always say go for the gusto, but I'm not sure that is necessary for me.

 
Lisa, I mentioned this to dh and he reminded me that the rating is lower

with propane than natural gas. Not sure which you're dealing with.

 
LOL, definitely. Though I have the Gaggenau flat top, it's actually really good

but you always think if electric was so great, the chefs would be using that instead of the gigunda gas guzzler Wolfs and Vikings! Ok, topically which is "greener??"

 
a kitchen blowtorch? hotplate? how about the BBQ out back? It must be hard to read all

these great recipes and not be able to cook.

 
Yep - my stovetop still works, but the flames are uneven. I have been using the grill a lot -

luckily for the most part the weather has cooperated.

See my post below for Grilled Sticky Buns.....

 
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