When choosing a burner for a gas stove, brass burners are the best because they are durable, can withstand high temperatures, quicken the cooking, and save fuel. However, brass burners are expensive and prone to corrosion.
Aluminum burners are cheaper than brass but not as durable because they get deformed at high temperatures. Hence, they require frequent replacement.
Cast iron burners are the cheapest but are prone to rust and corrosion. At the same time, cast iron heats quicker than brass. So they are efficient. However, rust formation can result in gas leakages and endanger your life. So, taking care of your cast iron burners is crucial.
Despite being expensive, the best burners for gas stoves are brass burners.
Decide on the number of burners
Four-burner gas stoves look fanciful but are not essential for every home. Therefore, deciding the number of burners in your gas stove is crucial. Generally, it depends on the number of people in the home.
- Bachelors or single residents do not need big stoves. They can manage with a 1-burner or 2-burner stove.
- Married couples can select a 2-burner or 3-burner stove for their homes.
- The average Indian family of 4 members needs a gas stove with three or four burners.
- Large or joint families require gas stoves with four burners.
Accordingly, you can select your gas stove. However, the 3-burner gas stove is the most popular among Indian families. Good brands like Prestige, Butterfly, and Hindware are available on the market that offer excellent 3-burner gas stoves.
The distance between the burners is crucial
A 2-burner gas stove should not have much problem because the distance between the two burners is sufficiently large. Similarly, a 4-burner gas stove is convenient because the burners are evenly located.
A 3-burner gas stove can cause problems because the space between the burners can get cramped. Therefore, you generally find manufacturers providing burners of different sizes. The middle burner is usually the smallest.
The gap between the burners should be sufficient to let you cook three different dishes comfortably. Generally, you cannot use larger utensils on the center burner. It is best for heating milk or preparing tea. The placement of the side burners is crucial because it should not affect the stove’s balance, especially when using large utensils for cooking.
Manual or auto-ignition
Gas burners have auto-ignition features today, where they light up on twisting the gas stove knob. Manual ignition requires users to light their gas stoves with matches or gas lighters. Auto-ignition gas stoves are more expensive but convenient to use. Besides, using gas lighters or matches can result in fuel wastage over a period.
However, we leave it to you to decide whether you are comfortable using the auto-ignition feature or the simpler manual ignition gas stoves.
Drip trays and flame guard pan support
Please ensure that each burner has a stand that protrudes sufficiently above the burner. As a result, the utensils do not touch the burner’s surface. Secondly, it is better to have a flame guard fitted with the stand. It protects you from the heat emitted by one burner when placing or removing utensils from the others.
Gas stoves must have a drip tray to prevent liquids and other food from spilling onto the kitchen platform. These removeable drip trays are easy to clean separately.
Design and Appearance
Earlier, you had cast-iron gas stoves. Stainless steel models replaced them. Today, you have glass tops or ceramic top gas stoves that look beautiful and enhance your kitchen’s ambiance.
The glass and ceramic top gas stoves are comparatively more expensive than stainless steel. However, the best advantage is that these stoves do not rust. But you must be careful not to place heavy or hot utensils on the glass top because the toughened glass can crack.
The Knob Choice
Usually, gas stove knobs are made of plastic and are easy to handle. I suggest choosing gas stoves with matching knobs. The knobs are replaceable at home. They should be firm and not wobble because poorly fit gas stove knobs can cause gas leakages.
Go for ISI branding
Cheap gas stoves without the ISI branding are available on the market. I do not recommend anyone purchasing such cheap gas stoves because your life is more precious than all the money in the world.
Gas stoves with ISI marks are thoroughly checked for quality issues. Hence, they are safe
Besides, the government has made it necessary for all gas stove manufacturers to get their products ISI-certified.
Safety features to look for in a gas stove
Before choosing the ideal gas stove for your home, check out the following features to enhance your safety.
- Look for loose fittings that can result in gas leakage.
- Choose a gas stove with feet of sufficient height to let you clean the kitchen counter comfortably without removing the stove.
- Ensure the gas stove legs have rubber padding to grip the kitchen platform better.
- Clean the burners frequently to ensure they burn uniformly. Use a needle to poke at the holes and remove dust particles choking the gas flow.
- Removeable burners are easier to clean under the kitchen sink.
- Keep your gas stove clean by wiping it regularly with a damp cloth.
- Please do not keep heavy or hot utensils on the glass top stoves because the glass can crack. Usually, gas stoves have toughened glass tops, but precaution is better than being sorry.
Conclusion
This gas stove buying guide clarifies everything you want to know about gas stoves and helps you select the ideal gas stove for your home. We reiterate you go for gas stoves with the ISI certification because they are safer. Your family’s safety matters more than anything else.
