A gas supplier once explained it to me, and now it finally makes sense!

Gas stoves are extremely common in modern households. They are convenient, easy to use, and typically come with two burners so you can cook multiple dishes at once. But many people have heard the saying: “Avoid using the left gas burner for cooking.”
So where does this idea come from, and is there any truth behind it?

Surprisingly, yes—there are practical reasons why the right burner is usually better for everyday cooking. And there are two main reasons behind this recommendation.

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1. To Reduce the Risk of Burns

Most people are right-handed. We naturally hold cooking utensils, season food, and stir dishes with our right hand.

When you stand in front of a gas stove and use the left burner, your movements often require you to reach across or lean over the right burner if it’s also in use. This increases the chance of:

• accidentally brushing against a hot pot or pan

• getting burned by rising steam or flames

• knocking over seasonings because of limited space

If your spices or ingredients are placed on the right side of the counter—a very common layout—you’ll need to twist your body awkwardly or reach across a hot burner just to grab them. This is both inconvenient and potentially dangerous.

Using the right burner, on the other hand, keeps your working side clear and minimizes unnecessary movement around heat.

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2. Different Heat Output Between the Two Burners

On most modern gas stoves, the two burners are not identical. Manufacturers often design them intentionally with different heat levels:

• Right burner: higher flame output, stronger heat—ideal for frying, stir-frying, boiling water quickly, or cooking anything that needs high temperature

• Left burner: lower flame—better for simmering soups, slow-cooking, or gentle boiling

This design helps with efficient cooking, but it also means the right burner simply performs better for most daily tasks.

Of course, some gas stoves do have burners with equal heat output. If you want to confirm this, simply check the stove’s specification plate. Burners with identical heat ratings will show the same thermal power value.

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Tips for Safe Gas Stove Use

Gas stoves are helpful and efficient, but they must be used carefully to avoid gas leaks, fires, or dangerous accidents.

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1. Ensure Good Ventilation

Never cook in a tightly closed kitchen. A confined space traps gas if a leak occurs, increasing the risk of poisoning. Always:

• keep windows or doors slightly open

• use an exhaust fan while cooking

• ventilate the kitchen immediately if the flame goes out

If you ever smell gas, turn off the stove right away, open all windows, and do not re-enter the kitchen until the smell is gone.

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2. Always Double-Check That the Stove Is Turned Off

Before going to bed or leaving the house, make it a habit to check the knobs to ensure they are fully turned off. Even a small gas leak can cause a serious hazard.

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3. Never Leave the Stove Unattended

This is one of the most common causes of kitchen accidents. Soups can boil over, extinguish the flame, and lead to gas leakage. Pots can dry out and burn, and oil can overheat or catch fire.

If you need to step away:

• turn the heat to the lowest setting

• or turn the stove off entirely

Safety should always come first.

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In Summary

It’s not that the left burner cannot be used—both burners work perfectly well. However, because:

• the right burner usually has higher heat output, and

• right-handed cooks work more safely and efficiently on the right side

…the right burner is generally more suitable for everyday cooking, especially when using both burners at once.

Understanding these small details can make your kitchen safer, more efficient, and more enjoyable to work in.