Why is my gas hob so hot?

Sapindus

I've got a brand new Kenwood cooker with a gas hob, it has one large burner, two medium and one small. Tonight I had a large pan of rice on the smallest burner turned down as low as it will go and it was still boiling a bit too fast for my liking. Can't imagine how I will practically use the larger ones. Gas isn't the sort of thing you want to tinker around with, but is there any solution to this? Any hope the burners will coke up and get slower with age?

flaneurs_lobster

Haven't use gas since switching to induction many years ago but do remember using a diffuser to stop hot spots when cooking slowly. A thick-bottomed cast iron pan will help too.

https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-stainless-steel-kitchen-hob-heat-diffuser-21-5cm/p6347962?

twopenny

Yes, I ve found the gas rings harder to get really low compared to the past but you do get the hang of it.

Right size of pan and heavy bottoms - practise helps. And a timer.

itsthelittlethings

You can get a metal diffuser that you put on the hob that takes the heat down. They’re very good.

itsthelittlethings

This type of thing.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/KitchenCraft-Stovetop-Heat-Diffuser-Simmer/dp/B000YJ9GOI/ref=asc_df_B000YJ9GOI?tag=bingshoppinga-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80814310969592&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=m&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=40878&hvtargid=pla-4584413779253373&psc=1&msclkid=fd0e32493be61a5c60405bee545d76f2

Sapindus

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81908481#Comment_81908481

That looks interesting, thanks. Seems bizarre that you can spend all this money on a new cooker and then need an accessory just to make it usable. Also seems like the sort of thing there'll be a warning about not using somewhere in the instructions! Are we sure it's safe?

itsthelittlethings

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81908545#Comment_81908545

Yeah my dad who was a big cook used them for years.

casper_gutman

I always had this issue with gas hobs when I rented. Between this and the difficulty cleaning a gas hob, I'd choose electric. People swear by induction hobs, but honestly I'd prefer even a conventional ceramic hob over gas these days.

WIAWSNB

It's always possible that the minimum flame is too high - it's been set incorrectly - and the tweaking valve for this is usually (at least used to be) within or beside the control spindle under the knob. But you really shouldn't play with this yourself.

Any chance of a pic of the 'minimum' flame? If you have boiler service lined up, you could ask the GS to have a look?

Obvs you don't want the flame too low, or it risks being blown out, or fluttering out when, say, your boiler kicks in.

Did this Kenwood replace another gas cooker? And were the flames on the previous one were notably lower?

(No, there should be no expectation of the flame reducing in size with use…)

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81910124#Comment_81910124

If you get an enamel gas hob, they are very easy to clean the main surface, as there are no seams. Like this one.

Bosch PBP6B6K60 | Gas Hob | Black

I have never really had this 'too hot' problem - maybe brand specific.

Silvertabby

Is this a thing with new gas hobs? Our Neff 5 ring hob is nearly 20 years old, and I've never had this problem.

The middle burner is a double ringer, meant for woks/stir fries, and that obviously does run hot. But the other, variable sized, burners can be turned down to a low simmer without any flickering.