I bought this stove because I wanted one side to be able to put my coffee pot or a pan and the other side to cook food. It worked well. It is easy to light. The only reason I did not give it a 5 star is that the temperature is a little hard to regulate. However, I think I will get used to it the more I use it. I also think the previous reviewers who put pots and pans on the griddle side contributed to the melting. I do not think you are supposed to do that. I had no trouble with it.