Good Tool: Burner Plate for Low-Heat Simmering

We prefer the control and flexibility of cooking on a gas stove, over an electric. There is one disadvantage to gas stoves, though — it can be hard to get the heat low enough for things like simmering a delicate sauce or slow-cooking a braise. The solution is using a burner plate!

Burner plates, also called simmer plates, fit right over the burner and help to diffuse the heat. This gives you a wider range of temperature control and also helps prevent hot spots in your pan.

The best burner plates we've used are fairly thick and made of either cast-iron or steel. Plates made of thin aluminum are cheaper, but we find they don't do as good a job of taming the heat. In a pinch, you could use a cast-iron skillet as a heat diffuser and set your cooking pot inside.

You can find burner plates at most stores that carry kitchen supplies or on the web:

• Nordic Ware Heat Tamer, $11.95 on Amazon
• IMCG Simmer Mat Diffuser, $14.99 on Amazon
• Ilsa Cast Iron Heat Diffuser, $19.99 on Amazon

Do you use a burner plate?

(Image: Amazon.com)

Comments (5)

Yes! Often times I'll use a skillet that doesn't have a protruding handle for this purpose.

WOW! Do I live under a rock or what? Never heard of this item...going to buy one asap!

I purchased a "flame tamer" several years ago. It is indispensable especially when using a very large pot that extends over the burner grates. and when making pudding.

that's awesome! I should totally buy one. =)

Wow, what a revelation! How did I miss this? And to think I gave away my tiny 2 cup moka pot because it was too small to sit on my Viking range without melting the handle from the powerful flame...