stove burner size vs efficiency
I'm curious if there's a best choice for what burner to use (mostly for electric bill, but I'd be curious about any other unforeseen consequences), given that I have 2 options of burner sizes, and my pot of water is big enough for either one.
Of course if the pot is smaller than the burner, any "excess" burner size (any of the heating element touching air instead of the pot) results in waste (I would guess very close to 100%). But when the pot is large enough that the hearing element will reach out in both cases, that shouldn't be an issue.
This question and its answers note that the wattage of a small burner is lower, and it produces less heat. So to get a pot of water boiling (in a similar amount of time), I would set the smaller burner to a higher setting. Does that end up using the same amount of electricity?
Best Answer
I would cook on the largest burner available that is not too big for the pan or pot. The smaller the burner is the longer it will take to bring to temp and the more wasted energy you'll have from radiation from the pot and evaporation. I would also set the burner to its highest setting to bring to boil and then turn it down unless you are maintaining a boil in your recipe.
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Does the size of the burner matter?
For the best performance from your induction burner, match the pan size to the burner size since heating will only occur above the burner's cooking circle. Cookware should make full contact with the glass surface and be magnetic. The induction burners require a minimum pan size in order for the element to turn on.How do you decide what size burner to use on a stove?
\u27a2 The upshot: If you are boiling or steaming liquid in a small pot, use the largest burner that will not allow flames to lick up the sides of the pot. (Flames will rapidly heat metal handles and melt or scorch plastic.) For tasks requiring a small skillet, choose a small burner over a large one.Why are there different size burners on the stove?
Stoves have different size burners as a safety consideration based on the varying size of pots and pans. Different size burners also provide options that allow homeowners to save energy and time. The other burners also offer different levels and distributions of heat for various cooking techniques.What type of stove is most efficient?
Induction stovetops are, by far, the most energy efficient option for cooking.Gas, Induction, Electric: The Complete Guide to Kitchen Stovetops
More answers regarding stove burner size vs efficiency
Answer 2
For a stove top burner there will be some heat loss to the stove and much more to the air. So I doubt that there is a definitive answer to this question. It no doubt depends on the stove and the cookware. The most efficient use of electricity would be a tea pot with an immersion coil.
A study determined roughly 80% efficiency when the burner was entirely covered but 40% efficiency when the burner was only partially covered. (See table 2, on page 4 of pdf)
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