Gyroscopic Investing

Let's say I have a gas oven with a burner that's rated for 15,000 BTUs. That's an hourly figure, so 15k BTUs per hour, or 0.15 therms per hour. Is that the amount that the burner will use only when it's at its maximum heat, or will it use that much irrespective of the size of the flame (which seems implausible)?

Of all the random posts here, for some reason, this one made me really chuckle.

And I have no idea.

If the energy were still being expended, and going somewhere OTHER than heat, then there would need to be an accompanying increase in the light or sound output.  And by some, I mean a LOT.

So, no.  Virtually all the energy being used is going to heat, and if there's less heat, there's less energy.

Xan wrote: If the energy were still being expended, and going somewhere OTHER than heat, then there would need to be an accompanying increase in the light or sound output.  And by some, I mean a LOT.

So, no.  Virtually all the energy being used is going to heat, and if there's less heat, there's less energy.

Maybe the energy is going to fuel the fires of hell.

I mean that us inoffensive as humanly possible! . We are at a point where we can joke a little bit about religion, right?

moda0306 wrote:
Maybe the energy is going to fuel the fires of hell.

I mean that us inoffensive as humanly possible! . We are at a point where we can joke a little bit about religion, right?

Alright by me!  I give you a little bit: 

I learn, you burn.

... Mountaineer

Pointedstick wrote: Let's say I have a gas oven with a burner that's rated for 15,000 BTUs. That's an hourly figure, so 15k BTUs per hour, or 0.15 therms per hour. Is that the amount that the burner will use only when it's at its maximum heat, or will it use that much irrespective of the size of the flame (which seems implausible)?

The size of the flame (and heat output), will be proportional to the flowrate of gas from the burner.  I'm not sure at what level the 15kBTUh is measured...presumably max, but the energy consumption will vary with the setting on the dial.  Some ranges have one burner with a very high heat output that is used for bringing big pots of water to a boil...usually the only time you use max.  The other burners may be set up differently, for instance one may have a low max output and much more fine-tuned control for precise simmering and whatnot. 

I think that it's like an electrical outlet that will deliver up to X amps, but the actual draw depends upon what's plugged into it.

Yeah, likely at max.  Is this for a single burner or the entire range?  If for the entire range, then it would probably be all burners on max.