Forum: cooking.stackexchange.com
Tags: <temperature>
Title: How to reduce the heat on a gas burner
Question: I have a new gas cooktop and the lowest setting on the smallest burner still produces afast rolling boil rather that a very low simmer. How can I reduce the heat?

Answers:
sents: text: 1.
text: Simmer/Burner Plate
text: You can use a simmer plate or something to diffuse the heat.
text: For example: http://www.thekitchn.com/good-tool-burner-plate-for-low-107122 Google: Heat Diffuser From the first link, a suggestion is to use a cast iron skillet as a heat diffuser.
text: That should work in a pinch.
text: 2.
text: Adjust the Flame Alternatively, some stoves allow you to adjust the flame level .
text: I'm not a technician, so please do this at your own risk, read the manual, etc....
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/231/talon8
score: 13
sents: text: Since this is a new gas range, I'd suggest that you have the supplier confirm that the correct size orifices are installed.
text: Generally speaking, most gas ranges come with two or more sets of orifices: Propane and Natural gas.
text: Not only do those have different BTU ratings per unit of gas, they also normally run different pressures.
text: In North America, natural gas is usually at 7" water column pressure, Propane runs at 11" water column pressure.
text: Propane also contains more energy than Natural gas, which exacerbates the problem if you are running from Propane with Natural Gas orifices installed.
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/32887/Dwayne Reid
score: 4
sents: text: This is a common problem for single cooks who cook in small portions.
text: A burner produces a constant energy output, which will bring different amounts of food to different end temperatures.
text: You can consider cooking a larger batch of food at once.
text: This will give you a simmer and lots of tasty leftovers.
text: Many liquid foods such as soups also freeze well.
text: Of course this is not the right solution for every case, but it's worth taking into account.
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/4638/rumtscho
score: 3
sents: text: I'm surprised nobody has suggested turning up the heat until the burner is almost off.
text: Just between being off and being at full is the smallest flame possible.
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/32883/Sean D
score: 2
sents: text: If you can't adjust or diffuse the heat enough, consider a separate electric cooktop.
text: Single place electric burners are very common, inexpensive, and you may be able to adjust the heat output better.
text: Look into induction
text: cooktops when you do, you might be surprised at the control you have over your cooking with one of these.
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/10979/Adam Davis
score: 1
sents: text: I wanted to comment on another answer, but I don't have enough reputation.
text: On my stove, I am able to achieve a lower output towards the "off" position, than in the lowest output position.
text: The risk is that the flame may go out, especially if it is windy.
text: This could essentially fill the room with unburned gas and be an explosion risk.
text: But that is why most stoves have a thermocouple.
text: If your stove has a thermocouple, it should be safe to use this method, since it would turn off the gas supply if there isn't any flame.
answer_details: author: cooking.stackexchange.com/users/50734/user280593
score: 0

Summary of the answers:
You can use a simmer plate or something else to diffuse the heat, or cook larger quantities of food at a time. Sometimes you can get a lower flame with the gas knob past maximum rather than on the lowest setting. If this is a new range, you could contact the supplier to confirm that the orifices are the correct size.
There are a number of ways to reduce the heat when cooking on gas. These include using a simmer plate, reducing the flame to its lowest setting and cooking larger batches of food at a time. It may also be necessary to check the cooker settings are correct. If it is not possible to diffuse the heat, an electric plate is considered another option.