Open Burner vs Sealed Burner Cooktops: Performance, Cleaning, and Safety

After deciding to invest in a quality and professional gas range, the next question that comes to your mind is, what type of burner top should you go for? There’s the option of an open burner or a sealed burner cooktop.

The main difference is that open burners have their burning components fully exposed, while sealed burners have a protective cover or seal between the flame and the cooking surface. And this changes everything. Your best option would depend on your cooking style, budget, and, ultimately, personal preference. 

Open Burner vs Sealed Burner Cooktops: The Clear Difference

Having a good understanding between these two burner types is key to making a good decision.

Here’s a bird’s-eye view of how both options vary:

At InnovDepot, we offer gas ranges with different cooktops, so whether you’re a seasoned chef who needs to control high heat or a busy home cook, there’s something for everyone.

Let’s look at these options in more detail. 

Open Burner Cooktops Explained

An open burner usually has visible and  exposed burning components. They’re known for offering a good amount of heat distribution and can be easily controlled, especially for high-heat cooking. 

It is designed for  quick heat distribution, making it popular among professional chefs and home cooks. 

They burn hotter and can be quickly adjusted. It is best for cooking styles like fast boiling, searing steak, and wok cooking.

An open burner would serve you better if you value responsiveness and timing, power, and control.

The Pros 

1. Better heat distribution: Due to the exposed component, there is an even distribution of heat. This means that it offers heat at every angle of the pot, making sure that your food is at the same temperature. This makes it preferable for cooking activities that require intense heat, as its “openness” allows oxygen to flow freely, thereby generating better heat for cooking. 

2. Good heat control: There is always room for controlling the heat, especially when cooking a meal that requires a low heat setting. If you value precision and control when using a burner cooktop, then an open burner is best for you. 

3. Very efficient: It gives room for enough air circulation and this can lead to better combustion for a smooth cooking experience. It gives you a quick and direct heat with no obstruction.

The Cons

1. Not easy to clean: This is its biggest disadvantage. It is very easy for food spills and debris to fall into this burner; this can make it harder to clean. You would have to take the burner apart to clean it properly.

If not properly done, the burner would look dirty and become permanently stained. If you’ve seen where a pot of pasta boils over, you’ll know exactly what this means.

Sealed Burner Cooktops

A sealed burner is known for having covered burning components. Here, the burner itself is sealed to the base of the range. It usually has a frame that holds the pots and pans above it.

While using a sealed burner, food spills and crumbs can hardly fall into the flame, such that when a boilover takes place, it stays at the top. 

A sealed burner is mostly found in a modern or residential kitchen. Most home cooks prefer it as it has no space for grease or anything to fall into.

If you enjoy multitasking, stability, energy efficiency, and easy maintenance, you should consider a sealed burner.

The Pros

1. Easy to clean: So many people believe the sealed burner is easy to clean. This is because they are sealed underneath, making cleaning very easy. Unlike the open burner, which you would have to clean often, it requires less time for cleaning.

2. It is safer: It is much safer to use. Kitchen hazards caused by spills and debris can be easily avoided.

The Cons

1. Less heat distribution: Unlike the open burner that distributes heat evenly and efficiently, the sealed burner does not.  This is seen in a situation where the food at the sides of the pot may not be at the same temperature with those at the centre of the pot. In some cases, the sides of the pot cook faster than the middle part.

2. Less heat control: Most people find it difficult to adjust or control the heat from a sealed burner. 

How to Choose Between Open Burner and Sealed Burner Cooktops

From the previous section, each burner has its strengths and weaknesses. Making a good choice between the two would depend on your personal preferences. Here are a few things to consider before getting either of them.

1. What’s Your Kitchen Type?

Are you cooking in a residential or commercial kitchen? For most people, an open burner is best used in a commercial kitchen, while others prefer to use a sealed burner for a residential kitchen. 

You are free to use whichever you prefer in your kitchen. It is still fine to have a sealed burner in a commercial kitchen, though some chefs may not see it as efficient.

2. What’s Your Cleaning Process? 

For a professional chef, cleaning immediately after preparing every meal may not be a practice. 

You may want to wait till the end of the whole cooking before cleaning the kitchen and its components thoroughly. 

However, at home it is common to have a quick wipe once cooking is done. For a commercial kitchen that would require a thorough and careful cleaning, an open burner can be great to work with. 

While for a resident kitchen where family meals are prepared, a sealed burner is best, as it enables you to do a quick and easy cleaning after cooking.  

3. What’s Your Budget?

If you have a budget that you intend to work on, you may want to consider going for a burner that suits your budget.

We have some affordable and quality burner cooktops and range tops that you can consider getting.

A customer once described our product as “exquisitely beautiful and the jewel of their new kitchen.” 

This is to show how much we go to satisfy our customers' needs. Shop with us and get a stylish kitchen that fits your budget.

4. What’s Your Preference On Aesthetics? 

You may like a burner, which can add beauty to your kitchen, making your modern kitchen look nice. This is where a sealed burner comes in. 

Though it can be fragile and may need replacing from time to time, it is worth it. With a sealed burner, you’re sure to have a design for your dream kitchen. 

You may also want a solid and well-built burner that can last for a number of years in your kitchen. The open burner can be considered here. Whichever you would go for depends on your preference. 

Our Top Picks on the Best Burner Cooktops

At InnovDepot, we pride ourselves on offering quality burners that are not only efficient but also great value for money. 

Below are some of our top picks and customers' favorites.

1. Forno 36 Gas Rangetop Pro Style 6 Sealed Burners

KEY FEATURES: 

• 6 Italian sealed burners

• Cast iron grates

• Zinc control knobs

• Autoignition

• Grill and griddle

• Heavy-duty stainless steel

The FORNO ALTA QUALITA 36” Gas Rangetop has a versatile cooktop configuration with six sealed burners totalling 83,000 BTUs to handle any culinary challenge.

2. Forno 20 Lamazze Gas Range with 4 Sealed Burners

KEY FEATURES: 

• 4 sealed burners

• Cast iron grates

• Control knobs

• Electroplated oven racks

• 3-layer glass oven doors

• Durable  stainless steel

• Thermostat and regulator

Indeed, this is a gas range investment, but the spotlight is on the 4 sealed burners, which have a total stovetop output of 21,200 BTU and feature continuous cast iron grates.

3. ILVE 36 Inch Sealed Burner

KEY FEATURES: 

• Dual functions triple ring burner

• Thermocouple safety valves

• Stainless steel control knobs

• Electronic ignition

• Spill trays

This high power burner will boil a pot of water in just a few minutes. Ideal for lovers of exotic cuisine, it is ideally suited for Chinese wok, as well as large pots and pans. Additionally you can turn off the flames from the outer ring for use as a simmer burner.

Final Verdict

Whether you’re going for an open burner or a sealed burner, you can get satisfaction and efficient use of your choice. 

While professional chefs may see so many differences, home cooks are likely to do just fine with either of the options.

Whichever you end up picking, make sure it suits your preference and matches your cooking style.