21 Types Of Burners: An Ultimate Guide

A burner is a mechanical device that uses energy from a fuel source to power a heating element which is used to sustain combustion reactions for heating fluids, chemical reactions, conversion of matter, etc. There are many different types of burners that this article will share with you.

21 Types Of Burners That You Might Not Know

There are several types of burner styles available for cooktops, each with its characteristics. It is important to understand these differences because the type of cooktop you choose will influence your cooking experience.

1. Radiant Ring or Coil Heating Element

A radiant ring heating element heats pots by infrared radiation (they radiate heat). The pot must be placed in direct contact with the heating element to absorb the radiation. This type is generally suited for one-burner stoves, because of its small size.

Pros

Efficient heat transfer from coils allows for a quick recovery time after pans are removed from the surface.
The smooth glass surface reduces hotspots and makes cleaning easier.
Provides even heat distribution, so pans need not be moved during cooking.
This style of the heating element is less expensive to operate than other types.

Cons

Infrared radiation does not penetrate far beyond the surface of the heating elements. This means pots over 6″ tall are generally not affected by this style of the heating element.
Pots and pans must be in direct contact with the heating element to absorb radiation evenly, so cooking vessels will need to be small enough to fit entirely on the burner.

2. Convection Heating Element

A convection heating element uses a fan to push hot air across the cooking surface. The fan forces all parts of the cooking vessel to be exposed to the heated air.

This style is most commonly used on cooktops with two or more burners, but some single-burner units are equipped with this style of the heating element.

Pros

Efficient heat transfer from the element allows for a quick recovery time after pans are removed from the surface.
The smooth glass surface reduces hotspots and makes cleaning easier.
Provides even heat distribution, so pans need not be moved during cooking.

Cons

These units can be fairly expensive to operate because they use fans that draw more electricity than other types do. Also, the fans can be noisy or make timers difficult to hear.
This type of heating element is not practical for small stoves because it does not provide adequate heat for one burner.

3. Infrared Heating Element

An infrared heating element heats pots by infrared radiation (they radiate heat). The pot must be placed in direct contact with the heating element to absorb the radiation.

This style of the heating element is generally more expensive than other types, but it is suited for one-burner stoves. It does not provide adequate heat for two burners.

Pros

Efficient heat transfer from coils allows for a quick recovery time after pans are removed from the surface.
The smooth glass surface reduces hotspots and makes cleaning easier.
Provides even heat distribution, so pans need not be moved during cooking.

Cons

Pots and pans must come in direct contact with the heating element to absorb radiation evenly, so cooking vessels will need to be small enough to fit entirely on top of the glowing bar.

4. Direct Fired Burner

The direct-fired burner is a heating element that gets very hot and heats the air around it, which then heats food.

This type of heating element is generally suited for one-burner stoves, because of its small size. It is also useful when cooking vessels are placed on top of an overturned bowl to reflect heat into the vessel or in a non-insulated fireplace.

This style is most commonly used on cooktops with two or more burners, but some single-burner units are equipped with this style of the heating element.

Pros

These units are very inexpensive to operate because they use simple on/off switches.
This type of heating element has a lifetime between 8-12 years, providing a long return on investment for stove owners.

Cons

They can be noisy or make timers difficult to hear.
It may take longer to heat pans than with other types of elements, so recovery time after removing them from the surface takes longer as well.

5. Regenerative Burners

This type of heating element is most commonly used on one-burner stoves or cooktops with two or more burners. They are not practical for small stoves because it does not provide adequate heat for one burner, and they are too large to fit on top of a single pot without altering the top of the stove.

These units can be fairly expensive to operate because they use fans that draw more electricity than other types do. Also, the fans can be noisy or make timers difficult to hear.

Pros

These units use 50-75 percent less fuel than a traditional wood stove. Because heat is produced slowly and held in the thermal mass of the stove, more heat is available for cooking during cloudy, windy, or cool weather.

Also, because there is no firebox on these units, creosote does not build up as quickly as with traditional fireplaces.

Cons

While these units do burn wood more efficiently, they still require large quantities of biomass to keep them going. In some cases, it may be necessary to cut several hours’ worth of fuel into small pieces before placing it on the stove.

This can take time away from other duties if the owner is already busy. These units are expensive to install, especially if they are installed in an existing fireplace.

6. Induction Heating Element

An induction heating element heats a pan without flames. This type of heating element is most commonly used on cooktops with two or more burners, but some single-burner units have this style of the heating element as well. These units are relatively expensive to purchase because they require a specialized cooktop and pots/skillets that can handle the induction magnetic fields. These units are also very expensive to install because they require hardwiring, which means they must be done by a professional electrician. Also, the user must ensure the cookware has stainless steel interior or iron exterior coating, otherwise, the unit cannot detect a pot or skillet.

Pros

The smooth glass surface reduces hotspots and makes cleaning easier.
This style of the heating element is very energy efficient, especially if the user has an induction-compatible cooktop and pot or skillet.

Cons

These units are not compatible with all pots or pans.
A large amount of electricity is required to operate these units, so they are not suited for energy-conscious individuals.

5. Air staged burner

Fuel is mixed with air through the inner air jet and then following the combustion process, air comes from outer air jets in steps.

The air staged burner is a more efficient and safer alternative to the radiant burner. Instead of using flames, the air stage forces heated air through holes that spread heat over a larger area than that of a radiant burner.

Solid-surface cooktops such as those with an air staged burner don’t work well with cast iron or steel griddles. However, this issue can easily be solved by placing another pan on top of the griddle to create an insulating barrier.

If you want to use your griddle on your range but still like cooking on solid-surface cooktops, consider purchasing pans with aluminium or copper cooking surfaces instead; they conduct heat just as well, but their metal surfaces are compatible with induction range cooktops.

6. Self-Recuperative Burners

Burners that use the waste heat of the flame for recuperative purposes. The exhaust gases are taken in and used to heat incoming air. This way the furnace operating efficiency is improved while reducing fuel usage by 50%.

Pros:

Durable and long-lasting.
Can be used at higher temperatures than gas burners.
Hot exhaust gases can be redirected to nearby appliances, such as a stovetop oven or range hood; this is known as “ducting”.
Environmentally sound because they produce minimal emissions.

Cons:

Higher initial cost than gas stoves.
Lackluster performance in cold weather; while these units will continue to work when it’s cold

7. Radiant Tube Burner

Tube burners are designed to concentrate heat at their center. The tube burner is made up of a nozzle, which the gas enters through, and an open flame, which comes out of.

The tube burner is faster than other types of burners because it allows for higher flow rates of gas. This means that there is more energy transferred into these units, allowing them to reach high temperatures quickly.

Most radiant tube burners come with several different jets that allow the user to change the size of the flame for different types of cooking jobs. Some even have infrared capabilities to provide maximum efficiency.

As they carry such high operating temperatures, these units can be difficult to keep clean. Although not a safety hazard, it is important to be aware of the dangers of these units if you have young children or animals that could get too close to them.

8. Single-jet burner

A single gas jet emits flames from its outer edges rather than from the center.

Compared with other types of burners, this style does not provide even heating between different parts of the cooking surface because the flame cannot cover every inch equally due to variations in pressure and flow rates throughout the system.

Because of this uneven distribution of heat, food cooked on a single jet burner will often cook more quickly at some points than others, which can require constant attention and adjustment. If you cook with a single-jet burner often, this style might be beneficial as it is the quickest type of unit to heat up.

These burners are known for heating unevenly, which can lead to underdone or burnt dishes. It can take some time before these units reach their maximum temperature because they have to run at a lower gas flow rate than other styles to maintain a more even distribution of heat.

This also means that the flame will not be as easily visible as other types of burners, so keeping an eye on food cooked over a single-jet burner could prove challenging. Due to the inconsistencies involved with cooking on these types of burners, maintaining the proper cooking temperature is difficult.

The uneven distribution of heat can also lead to hot spots that could cause food to burn easily.

9. Dual-jet burner

This type of burner emits flames from two separate ports near its end, rather than along its outer edges or at its centre. One jet acts as a pilot light while the other acts as the main flame source for your cooking area.

Food cooked on these units should have even heat distribution because both jets are supported by one small pilot light in between them, which should prevent any large fluctuation in either direction while cooking due to increased or decreased gas flow rates happening simultaneously with different jets.

Because the main flame is supported by a smaller pilot light, these units can take longer to heat up than other styles of burners. Having two jets means that there are more parts for your gas flow system to support; this could lead to increased costs in terms of both time and money spent on maintaining your dual-jet burner.

10. Single-ring burner

A single jet is surrounded by an outer ring of flames that emits from its outer edges rather than its centre.

Food will most likely cook evenly across the cooking surface due to the similar distance between each point on the ring. While it might not be as quick as a radiant tube or single-jet burner, food cooked on a single-ring burner should cook to completion quickly and be ready for serving sooner than many other types of burners.

Just like the single-jet burner, food cooked on a single-ring burner could overcook easily if not attended to constantly because it is difficult to maintain a constant temperature over such a large area.

If you are cooking more than one item at once on a single-ring burner, it might be more difficult to keep the temperature consistent unless your rings are of different sizes or your cookware is of varying weights – which could make the task even more challenging.

11. High Thermal Release (HTR) Burners

High Thermal Release burners are a new style of cooking burner that has only been in existence since the 1990s. The HTR system emits flames from both sides, which makes it easier for the unit to distribute heat evenly.

HTR burners are faster to heat up, which makes them good for home cooks who do not have a lot of time to spare. HTR units also distribute their heat evenly across the cooking surface, so you should be able to maintain the perfect level of cooking temperature without having to worry about hot spots or cold areas where food might not cook correctly.

Unfortunately, the HTR system seems to have only been placed on smaller size cooking burners so far, so home cooks are subject to limited selection when it comes to this type of unit. The HTR style burner emits flames from both sides and its centre, which could make it challenging for home cooks to use if the cookware they are using does not fit flush to each side of the unit.

12. Open Fires

The open-flamed design has been around since the beginning of time. Typically, these units are made from enamelled steel and painted black for a rustic appearance.

Because you could use an open fire in pretty much any situation, this design is one of the most versatile available on cooking burners. If you don’t have a stove-top or an oven, but you still want to be able to cook food for yourself or your family, open fires can do the trick and allow you to cook and serve right from one unit.

As they are not enclosed, you cannot cook very much in one sitting, and the flame only supports itself with a small pilot light. These units can also leak gas or leave residue on the bottom of your cooking vessel, which increases the risk of fire when cooking constantly with no way to control it.

13. Older Style Burners

Old school burners have been around since the 1950s. Home cooks used to use these types of stoves for their cooking needs, until new hardware was designed with improved technologies and new styles were invented.

The biggest advantage of using an older-style burner is that you can usually get your hand on one quite easily and they are often relatively inexpensive, so it might be a good idea to have one of these stoves around for an emergency or for occasionally heating snacks.

These burners also emit flames from all sides of the cooking surface, which could make them easier to use than certain types of cookware – such as turntables – that only allow heat to come from one side.

Older-style burners often have an open flame, which means you cannot turn down the heat or cook for a long time because it could pose a fire hazard. The flames also emit from all sides of the cooking surface, so it can be difficult to get closer to the centre where you might need more heat without getting burned by the rises in temperature.

Because these units lack modern safety features such as tip-over protection and automatic shut-off technology, they tend to be less safe than newer styles of burners that can detect when your pan is unattended and turn itself off.

14. Low Emission Burners

These are not new to the market of gas stove burners, but their popularity has increased in recent years because they do not emit as much heat or soot. This is important for homeowners who want to maintain an organised living space without having excess debris on the floor around the unit.

Lower emission burners are one of the most efficient types available on gas stoves these days. They consume less fuel than other styles of cooking units, which means you save money at the pump while you cook with them, despite some minor upfront costs when you purchase this type of burner unit for your kitchen.

Low-emission burners also distribute heat more evenly across your cooking surface, making it easy to make delicious meals without worrying about the ingredients being burnt to a crisp.

Although low-emission burners are an efficient type of gas stove burner, they come with several disadvantages that might keep you from wanting to use them in your home. For instance, if you have tall cookware the flames will need extra space to rise higher off the cooking surface so it can heat up correctly without being blocked by your pot or pan.

And if something goes awry with your unit’s safety features, the flame could go out mid-use and cause food to go unfinished.

15. Integrated Burners

These are a newer twist on the technology that has been around for some time now in homes across America, Europe, and Australia. Integrated burners come with a porcelain top that is heated by the flame underneath to prepare your meals conveniently in one unit.

One advantage of using an integrated burner is they generally have more surface space than other styles of gas stove burners, which makes it easier for you to cook larger meals together without taking up too much space on your kitchen countertop.

The style also allows you to make full use of all four cooking surfaces when preparing your next meal – instead of waiting until another burner cools down before you can cook your next dish. Integrated burners are also efficient, which means you do not have to constantly refill the tank with fuel whenever you use it.

Some disadvantages come along with using an integrated burner instead of another style of burner for cooking delicious meals at home every day.

For instance, if you want to change the temperature or turn off the flame completely while preparing dinner, this type of unit usually requires more work on your part because there is no true safety feature that allows it to shut itself off when unattended.

Additionally, if something happens and a piece breaks in the unit – such as a knob falling off – there might be no way to turn off your gas stove until a professional arrives to fix the issue.

16. Hot Plate Burners

Hot plate burners are a type of burner that you might find in your school’s chemistry lab, or perhaps in a restaurant that needs an extra cooking element for preparing their next meal on the fly.

This style of burner is distinct from others because it does not have any pot support on top, but rather a heating element underneath.

One advantage to using this style of burner is they do not require any knobs on top to control the temperature or fire while cooking, which means there are no parts of the unit that can break down and leave you without a stove until a replacement part arrives.

Additionally, hot plate burners also work fast when turned on because they heat up where you need them to work as soon as you turn them on.

One disadvantage of using a hot plate burner is because there are no knobs and safety features like other styles, it can be hard for the average person to make cooking adjustments mid-use if needed.

For instance, you might want to reduce the temperature or turn off the flame completely while preparing your meal – especially if you have kids who love helping in the kitchen – however, with this style of stove burner that may not be possible until you manually shut off the unit yourself.

And if something goes wrong with your unit’s protective mechanisms, such as requiring a new heating element, it might be more expensive than other types of burners that use a knob to control the flame.

17. Ultra-Low Emission Burners

Ultra-low emission burners are a more modern variety of stove burners that have been on the market for about 10 years now.

These types of burners work by reducing or eliminating dangerous gases emitted into the atmosphere when they are turned off, which is great for helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions in your home every day.

One advantage to using this style of stove burner is that it works to reduce carbon dioxide and other harmful gases emitted while preparing your next meal, you can use less or no cleaner when scrubbing plates after dinner.

Additionally, ultra-low emission burners also heat up quickly whenever you need them – meaning you will not have to wait around before cooking your next dish on the fly.

One disadvantage to using this style of burner is that it might not be as widely available as other types of burners, you will probably have a harder time finding replacement parts and accessories for your unit if something goes wrong.

Additionally, you cannot fit very large pots or pans on the cooking surface because it only has one level of heat control – unlike traditional stove burners that offer multiple temperature levels for preparing different dishes.

18. Gas And Diesel Burners

Gas and diesel burners are also types of burners that you might find in your school’s chemistry lab. Gas and diesel burners essentially work the same way by using gas or diesel fuel to run their heating element, which then heats up when turned on after ignition.

One advantage to using this style of burner is they are an inexpensive type of stove burner because they usually only require a tank of gas or diesel fuel to function properly – meaning there are no additional costs for powering the unit while preparing dinner every day.

Another advantage is if you have kids who need some extra supervision while cooking, these types of units usually do not have any moving parts that can cause harm if someone gets their hand too close to the flame.

One disadvantage to using this type of burner is it might be harder to find replacement parts if they break down or need a tune-up.

Additionally, you cannot use any pots or pans that are bigger than the heating element itself because there is no place else for the heat from the flames to go – meaning you will have to fit all your cookware on top of each other to properly prepare a meal.

19. Electric Burners

Electric burners work as a stove by utilizing electricity as their main power source, which means it usually has multiple levels of heat control and an electrically operated flame instead of a gas one.

One advantage to using this style of stove burner is that it works by heating a coil that turns into a gas flame, you will not have to worry about your unit emitting harmful gasses into the atmosphere when you turn it off for a moment.

Another advantage is because there are no moving parts to this style of stove burner, it is more durable and less likely to break down – meaning you won’t have to worry about it giving out on you during a dinner party with friends.

One disadvantage to using this style of burner is it usually costs more than other types of units because the electric heating element uses electricity as its main power source – meaning your unit will cost more to run each month.

20. Low Emission Burners

Some stove burners are different than others because they emit fewer greenhouse gases into the atmosphere when it is off, which is great for helping reduce your carbon footprint every day.

One advantage to using this style of burner is that it works to reduce carbon dioxide and other harmful gases emitted while preparing your next meal, you can feel extra good about yourself knowing you are helping the earth just by cooking dinner every night.

Another advantage is that these units heat up faster than ever – meaning you will not have to wait around before starting your next dish.

One disadvantage to using this type of burner is it costs a bit more money upfront to purchase a unit that reduces greenhouse gases if you have never used one before.

Additionally, not every unit will be able to reduce the same amount of harmful gases as others – meaning you might want to do a bit more research on which units can cut back the most within your price range.

21. Baffle Burner

A baffle burner is a different style of stove burner that works by diffusing the gas or electric flame into many smaller ones that are then spread across the cooking surface – meaning you will have to buy a special pan or pot designed specifically for this style.

One advantage to using this type of burner is because there are so many smaller flames, you will not have to worry about food burning too quickly or unevenly like with other cooking methods.

Another advantage is if you are trying to reduce the amount of time you spend in the kitchen because your family needs less attention while preparing dinner, this type of burner will help make your life easier by saving you time.

One disadvantage to using this style of burner is it usually costs more than other types of units because you will have to buy a special pan for cooking, and the unit itself costs more money initially.

Additionally, these units do not work as well with larger pots and pans – meaning you might still have to purchase a different type of burner for bigger meals.

Types Of Burners – Conclusion

As you can see from this article, there are many different kinds of burners out there on the market today. Depending on your needs and requirements you can determine which kind is best for you, and hopefully, this article can help make that decision easier!

Reference

Ayesha Akhtar