It’s all about understanding those mysterious knobs.

What is medium-high heat, exactly?

Heres what each heat level actually means, and other helpful things to know about your stovetop.

Gas stove flame on stovetop

Photo:Jena Ardell/Getty Images

What Is High Heat?

Many stoves use a 10-point dial.

The numbers range from one to 10 with one being the lowest temperature and 10 being the highest temperature.

On a 6-point stove, turn it between 5 and 6.

If your stove is labeled with the abbreviated Hi, that makes it simpler.

Essentially, youll turn the knob pretty farclose to or at the maximum setting.

What Is Medium-High Heat?

Medium-high heat is the temperature between medium and high.

In degrees, its between 400 and 450.

On a 10-point stove, turn the knob between 7 and 8 for medium-high heat.

On a 6-point stove, turn it between 4 and 5.

If your stove isnt numbered, turn it about three-quarters of the way.

What Is Medium-Low Heat?

If high is the maximum setting, low is the minimum.

Cooking on low is pretty straightforwardkeep the knob around 1 to 2 for both 6- and 10-point stoves.

On a 10-point stove, turn the dial between 3 and 4 for medium-low heat.

On a 6-point stove, turn it between 2 and 3.

If your stove isnt numbered, turn it about one-third of the way.

What Is an Electric Stove?

Those are typically made from a blend of glass and ceramic.Electric stoves have quite a few pros.

But whats the cooking experience like?

If you go with a flat electric stovetop, you get both a sleek look and functional surface.

A flat surface creates a more stable base for your pots and pans, and its easier to clean.

Youll also be without a cooktop in case ofpower outages.

Glass cooktops are also prone to breaking or damage from abrasive cleaners.

What Is a Gas Stove?

If you watch cooking shows, you know thatprofessional chefstend to gravitate toward gas stoves.

Theres something satisfying about cooking with an open flame.

Gas stoves take the cake for responsiveness and precision.

Theyre also less taxing on yourutility bills.

So why are gas stoves less common nowadays?

Gas stoves are powered by natural gasses.

Therefore, they require a gas line (as well as an electric outlet).