BurnerBTU
Gas cooktop planner

Gas Cooktop BTU & Cost Calculator

Add up your burner BTU ratings, estimate your monthly gas bill for natural gas or propane, and size the range hood and gas supply before you buy a new gas cooktop.

Spec sheet calculator

1. Burner ratings

BurnerBTU/hkW
Power burner
Large
Medium
Medium
Simmer

Enter 0 for unused rows. Ratings are on the spec sheet or label (1 kW = 3,412 BTU/h).

2. Gas price

3. How you cook

Low simmer ≈ 20 %, everyday cooking ≈ 40–60 %, boiling or searing ≈ 100 %.

Results

Gas cost per month–
Gas cost per year–
Total rated input–
Heat reaching your food (≈40 %)–
Recommended hood airflow–
Peak gas flow–
CO₂ emitted per year–

Estimates only. Gas supply, orifice conversion and ventilation must be installed by a qualified, licensed professional according to local code and manufacturer instructions.

How to choose a gas cooktop

Gas cooktops give instant, visible heat control and work with any cookware, including round-bottom woks. Their drawbacks are lower efficiency, combustion by-products in the kitchen air and, in some regions, rising gas prices. The numbers below help you decide what you actually need.

Understanding BTU ratings

A BTU (British thermal unit) is a measure of heat. A burner rated 12,000 BTU/h delivers about 3.5 kW of heat energy at full flame. More BTU means faster boiling, but not every task benefits: sauces and melting need a stable low flame, so a good cooktop offers both high-output and low-simmer burners.

Burner roleTypical BTU/hBest for
Simmer / small3,000 – 6,000Sauces, melting, keeping warm
Medium8,000 – 10,000Everyday sautéing and saucepans
Large / rapid12,000 – 15,000Large pots, frying
Power / wok17,000 – 22,000+Boiling quickly, searing, stir-frying

Natural gas versus propane

The same cooktop can usually burn either fuel after a conversion kit is installed, because the orifices differ. Propane carries more energy per cubic foot (about 2,500 BTU versus roughly 1,030 for natural gas) and burns at a higher pressure setting. Pick your price unit in the calculator so the cost and CO₂ values match the fuel you actually use.

Ventilation matters

Burning gas releases moisture, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and fine particles. A common rule of thumb is 100 CFM of range hood airflow for every 10,000 BTU/h of burner input. Hoods rated above roughly 400 CFM may require make-up air under some local building codes. Ducted hoods that vent outdoors are more effective than recirculating models.

Safety checklist

  • Install a carbon monoxide alarm and know the smell and sound of a gas leak.
  • Choose flame-failure safety devices that cut gas if a flame goes out.
  • Keep the burner ports clean so flames stay blue and stable.
  • Have the gas connection pressure-tested by a licensed fitter.

Buying checklist

  • Burner layout and whether you can fit large pots side by side.
  • Continuous cast-iron grates that let you slide pots.
  • Electronic ignition with automatic re-light.
  • Included conversion kit for your fuel type.
  • Sealed burners for easier cleaning.

Frequently asked questions

Is gas cheaper than electric?

It depends on local energy prices. Gas is less efficient at the pot, so compare costs per unit of heat delivered, not per unit of fuel.

How accurate is the CO₂ figure?

It uses standard emission factors for combustion (about 53 kg CO₂ per million BTU for natural gas and 63 kg for propane). It excludes upstream leaks.

Do I need a hood for a gas cooktop?

Strongly recommended. Many regions require mechanical ventilation, and it improves indoor air quality.

Can I convert a natural gas cooktop to propane?

Most models allow it with the manufacturer's kit, but the work should be done by a qualified technician.