HOW TO USE A GAS STOVE: COOKING STEPS AND TIPS

If you’re used to cooking on an electric stovetop, making the switch to gas can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t need to be. Use this guide to learn the simple steps of using a gas cooktop, then discover maintenance tips and get answers to common questions about gas stovetop cooking.

BEFORE YOU START COOKING

Cooking with a gas stove isn’t difficult, but there are a few steps you can take as you begin:

Clear the cooktop surface of any items
Make sure the burner grates and caps are properly aligned
Turn on the range hood for proper ventilation
Turn pot and pan handles inward
Secure any loose clothing or long hair

HOW TO USE A GAS COOKTOP: THE BASICS

Once you know what each burner and control does, using a gas cooktop is fairly straightforward. Start by getting familiar with the cooking surface and burner components. Next, choose the burner that supports your cooking style, ignite it and adjust the flame as needed. When you’re finished, turn the control to OFF and let the cooktop components cool before cleaning. Learn more about each step below.

1. CHECK THE BURNERS, GRATES AND CONTROLS

Before you cook, make sure the cooking surface is clear and the burner components are correctly positioned. Once you’ve positioned them, they shouldn’t move around, but if you’ve cleaned the caps and repositioned them recently, it’s worth a quick check. Burner caps should sit flush with the burner base with very little side-to-side movement, and alignment pins, if present, should be properly positioned.

2. CHOOSE THE RIGHT BURNER

Not every gas burner delivers the same amount of heat. Lower-BTU burners are suited to low-heat cooking like simmering, mid-range burners work well for everyday cooking like sautéing and frying, and higher-BTU burners are great for high-heat cooking like searing and stir-frying.

You can also choose a burner based on your cookware and cooking method. An oval burner, for example, can be designed to heat longer cookware such as a griddle.

3. IGNITE THE GAS BURNER AND CONFIRM A STEADY FLAME

For most models, you start by pushing in the control knob and turning it to LITE. You should hear a clicking sound as the igniter sparks. Once the flame catches, turn the knob to your desired heat setting, then the clicking should stop. On some models, all burners may click at once.

If the burner doesn’t light within four to five seconds, turn it to OFF and wait about one minute for unburned gas to clear before trying again. If it still doesn’t ignite, check that the burner cap is clean and properly aligned.

4. CENTER THE COOKWARE, ADJUST THE FLAME AND COOK

Make sure your cookware is centered on the burner and the flame is blue with a small, crisp inner cone. If you see a steady yellow or orange flame, the burner cap may be dirty or misaligned, or the burner ports may be clogged.

To troubleshoot, turn the burner off and let it cool. Remove the cap, wash it with warm, soapy water and a nonabrasive scrubbing pad, and clear any debris from the burner ports. Reinstall the cap, relight the burner and recheck the flame.

5. TURN OFF THE BURNER AND LET THE COOKTOP COOL

When you’re finished, turn the knob to the OFF position and check to make sure the flame is out. Once the cooktop cools, clean up any spills on the burner cap to help prevent residue from blocking the ports.

GAS STOVE COOKING TIPS

Stovetop cooking possibilities are endless when you know how to choose the right burner, adjust the flame level and position your pan. Discover tips for using a gas stovetop below.

MATCH PAN SIZE TO BURNER SIZE

Reach for the burner that best fits your cookware and the amount of heat needed for your cooking task. A pan too large for a gas burner may not heat all of your food adequately, while one too small or mismatched in shape may lead to wasted energy.

Steak searing in a cast iron skillet on a gas cooktop

Power^™ Burner

Take charge of your cooking experience

Maytag^® cooktops with the Power^™ Burner allow for a slow, even saute or the intense heat needed for a seared, juicy steak

SHOP NOW

USE THE RIGHT HEAT FOR SIMMERING, BOILING, SEARING AND EVERYDAY COOKING

Cooking techniques like simmering, boiling, searing, and sautéing often require different levels of heat. Gas cooktop burners produce varying amounts of heat based on their BTU ratings. If you’re unsure which burner is best suited for a particular cooking technique, consult your owner’s manual. In general, you can use burners with the following BTU ranges for these cooking techniques:

Cooking technique	BTU Output
Simmering and braising	500-2,000 BTUs
Everyday cooking: frying and sautéing	2,000-10,000 BTUs
Searing and stir frying	12,000-18,000 BTUs

START LOWER, THEN ADJUST UPWARD

Gas burners respond quickly, so it may help to begin with a lower flame and increase the heat as needed. Starting low gives you control and helps you avoid overheating your pan.

KEEP THE FLAME UNDER THE PAN

Bigger flames aren’t always better. The goal is to keep the flame beneath the pan rather than letting it extend up the sides (unless stir-frying with a wok). Match the burner to your cookware when possible, then adjust the flame to the heat level your recipe calls for.

GAS STOVE CARE GUIDELINES

Keeping your burners and cooktop clean can help them ignite properly and produce an even flame. Luckily, regular burner care is pretty simple: prevent food and grease from building up, keep the burner ports clear and make sure the burner components are in the right position. Some care tips include:

Clean the burner caps and bases regularly: Food and grease can build up around the burner caps and bases. Clean them with a nonabrasive scrubbing pad or cloth and a mildly abrasive cleaner or soap when they are cool.
Keep the burner ports clear: Clogged ports can cause uneven or abnormal flames. Clear a clogged port using a straight pin, needle or small-gauge wire. Avoid using a wooden toothpick or making the port larger.
Keep burner caps dry: After cleaning, dry the caps with a towel before putting them back in place. Moisture on the burner components can contribute to clicking or ignition problems.
Make sure the caps are correctly aligned: Each cap should match its burner base and sit flush with very little side-to-side movement.
Clean spills once the cooktop has cooled: Acidic foods can affect the cooktop’s finish. Be sure to clean spills from acidic foods, like tomato or vinegar, off of the cooktops as soon as possible after the cooktop, grates and burner caps have cooled.
Have recurring flame problems checked: If cleaning the burner ports and repositioning the burner components don’t help resolve an abnormal flame, check your product manual or contact a professional for help.

GAS STOVE FAQS

Knowing what to expect when using your gas stove can help you cook with confidence and spot when components may need attention. Get answers to common questions about gas cooktops below.

Uneven flames on your gas burner may result from dirty burner ports or burner components that aren't in the right position. You might be able to address the problem by clearing the ports and making sure the burner base and cap are lined up properly.

If the flame still looks uneven after you clean it, check your owner’s manual for more information or reach out to a professional.

A blue flame means that your burner is operating as it should be, balancing the ratio of gas and oxygen optimally. If you notice a yellow or orange flame, your stovetop may not be mixing properly with oxygen and this could mean it’s time to clean the burners or schedule a maintenance check.

Your burner may be clicking if it’s damp after cleaning or a spill. Make sure you let the burner dry completely anytime you wipe it down. If clicking sounds continue, turn the burner off and check your product manual for more information.

A slight gas odor can be normal when using a gas cooktop, but If you smell gas when the cooktop isn't being used, make sure that none of the burners were accidentally turned on. If the burners are off but the smell lingers, turn off the gas supply immediately and leave your home. Don't try to use any appliances or operate electrical switches, and contact your gas supplier from a neighbor's phone.

Gas cooktops use controls to adjust the level of the flame rather than a specific temperature setting. Burner BTUs indicate the amount of heat a burner can produce, and different burners may have different BTU outputs for unique cooking needs.

When gas and oxygen don’t mix properly, your burner flame may glow yellow or orange, which can cause uneven heating and soot buildup on your cookware. Cleaning your burners regularly can help prevent soot from developing on your pans.

Cook with power and control with a Maytag^® gas cooktop. The 15,000-BTU Power^™ Burner on select Maytag^® models allows for a slow, even sauté and the intense heat for a seared, juicy steak. For more gentle cooking, the Simmer Burner on select Maytag^® cooktops provides 800 to 5,000 BTUs of precise, adjustable heat to give your cooktop both a full-power simmer burner and warming setting all in one.