Give me suggestions: I need a countertop gas burner
March 11, 2018 10:18 AM   Subscribe

My apartment is not able to be "wired" up for natural gas, so I'm not gonna be getting a gas range any time soon. I'd still like to have the option of using the high and instant heat of a flame to cook, though; it's really nice for searing steaks etc. While I have a grill, it's not accessible from the kitchen (my balcony is only reachable through the bedroom) and it's kinda nice to be able to heat things inside. I've tried induction, but induction doesn't work so well for woks. So, suggestions please? I could hit Amazon and just pick at random, but I'm hoping for a bit more information than that.
posted by ChrisR to Home & Garden (10 answers total)
 
Does your oven have a broiler function? That's how my mom always made steaks and it's how I make cheese on toast and stuff like that. It won't solve your wok issue, but you'll get a nice steak and some cheesy toast out of the deal!
posted by elsietheeel at 10:25 AM on March 11, 2018


There are indoor-safe butane burners for woks and searing, but the fuel cost is going to be prohibitive. It's meant more for on-site catering work.
posted by Slap*Happy at 10:49 AM on March 11, 2018 [3 favorites]


There are little countertop gas burners (I mostly see them at the Korean grocery store near me), but they're broadly used for tabletop hot pot type things. I think they're fairly inexpensive to buy and fuel, but I've never looked into it in any great detail.
posted by Making You Bored For Science at 10:56 AM on March 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


Bottle top propane camp stove? (Open a window.)
posted by elsietheeel at 11:02 AM on March 11, 2018


this is what you want. There's a 12k btu too that will work fine but 15k is nice. Wok stir frying works great in these. A butane cartridge usually lasts about 2 hours, so for your use cases this will be fine.
posted by Karaage at 11:50 AM on March 11, 2018 [2 favorites]


I've used those portable butane stove burners before. If you have access to Asian markets they tend to sell those butane cartridges very cheaply.
posted by andrewesque at 12:36 PM on March 11, 2018


I have thought about using cooktops like those just listed inside on my counter since I have a godawful electric stove. I have a butane small stove that is very easy to use from my local Hmart but when I think about using it inside I always come up with the problem of ventilation. I have avoided it because I'm paranoid, but if you DO go that route please make sure you've got a couple of windows open at least. Cooking right outside would be better. (This is a CO2 issue, not a gas fumes issue, fwiw). Please be careful!
posted by Rufous-headed Towhee heehee at 3:30 PM on March 11, 2018


I use an electric range. For steaks heat a cast iron skillet in the broiler for 20 minutes. Remove to electric range burner set on high. Sear each side for 30 seconds. Put skillet back in range on broil and cook each side for 2 minutes. Remove and place steak on cutting board for 5 minutes. Then slice and serve. Works as well as gas for steaks
posted by JayRwv at 5:29 PM on March 11, 2018 [1 favorite]


When I think about using it inside I always come up with the problem of ventilation

There's a clear ANSI standard for that - ANSI Z83.11-CSA1.8-2016. Burners that meet ANSI Z83.11, including traditional natural gas burners, are safe for indoor use. The Iwatani butane-powered units mentioned above meet it under CSA 1.8, and check the packaging of other brands' units to see if they do, too. If you can find cheap butane cartridges and HAVE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER RATED FOR KITCHEN USE NEARBY, this may do the trick. I'm used to expensive camping-store butane carts, if you can find 'em on the cheap, do it.
posted by Slap*Happy at 9:06 PM on March 11, 2018


We have the exact burner Karaage links to, and we love it. We use it for korean-style grilled meats and it works fabulously.
posted by alleycat01 at 8:47 AM on March 12, 2018


« Older Help fill poured concrete basement wall holes to...   |   Resources for RPG code construction and design? Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.