Medium-High Heat on Gas Stoves
Gas stoves bring the charm of visible flames, but deciphering the exact setting can be confusing when knobs are labeled with vague numbers or symbols. On most gas stoves, medium-high heat falls around 4 to 6 on a numbered dial, or just past the halfway point on a knob with a low-to-high range. If your knob uses symbols, medium-high typically aligns with a flame height that’s steady but not roaring—a gentle dance rather than a blaze. Watch for a flame size around an inch tall, strong enough to cook, yet manageable enough to avoid scorching.

Medium-High Heat on an Electric Stove
Electric stoves, often marked with numbers from 1 to 10, can make medium-high heat feel like a guessing game. Here, medium-high generally lands between settings 6 and 7. Since electric coils take a bit to heat up, it’s best to preheat for a few minutes to get the surface hot enough for a true medium-high temperature. Electric stoves may lack the visual cue of a flame, but feel for heat radiating from the burner—it should be warm enough for a sizzle without an instant burn.

What About Induction Stoves?
Induction stoves are a modern marvel, but finding the right setting for medium-high heat can be daunting. With induction, heat is generated directly in the pan, typically controlled by numbers ranging from 1 to 9. Medium-high heat is usually around a 6 or 7, just shy of the high setting. The quick, even heat of induction stoves means you’ll reach the right temperature faster, so watch for a gentle simmer or controlled sizzle to know you’re there. Unlike other stoves, induction’s magnetic heat may need less time to get to that golden medium-high