Gas stoves have been a staple in a lot of American homes. Some gas stove models require electricity to power some of their features like convection fans, lights, igniters, and controls.
So, how many amps does a gas stove use? Gas stoves can draw up to 12 amps of current depending on their features, with dual fuel stoves reaching 30 amps or more.
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Average Amps, Watts
Gas stoves with minimal features can run for as low as 1.5 amps (or 180 watts on a 120-volt circuit).
This stove amperage is used for timers, lights in the gas oven, controls, and convection fans. Gas stoves also have electric igniters these days which also contribute to their power consumption.
However, newer gas stoves integrate additional features that increase electrical requirements. You can find these new features on modern, higher-end models Depending on the number of features as well as the manufacturers’ technology, flagship gas stoves may require different power inputs.
- For instance, Samsung’s 5.8 cu. Ft. Slide-in Gas Range (model NX58H9500WS) uses a warming drawer with a heating performance of 600 watts, or 5 amps at 120 volts.
- Even Meanwhile, Frigidaire’s1 cu. Ft. 30” Front Control Gas Range with Convection Bake (model FCFG3083AS) uses a broil element at 1400 watts or around 12 amps at 120 volts.
Of course, gas stoves can even have dual functions and can operate both as gas range and as an electric oven.
Electric range amperage can be significant. The unit may draw 30 amps or more on a 240-volt outlet.
THOR’s 30” Professional Dual Fuel Range (model no. HRD3088U) has three heating elements (3500-watt broiler, 850-watt top oven, and 3000-watt base oven) and needs a 30 amp 240 volt circuit.
Amps Requirements for Different Models
The best way to prepare for the current and voltage requirements of the gas stove is to check the specifications listed in the manufacturer’s manual.
Most gas stoves need a dedicated circuit with 15 amp or 20 amp at 120 volts, but some might need 30 amp circuits or higher at 240 volts.
Below is a list of gas stove models and their circuit requirements for reference:
| Brand | Model | Circuit Breaker Requirements |
| Samsung | NX58H9500WS
5.8 cu. ft. Slide-in Gas Range |
120 volt, 15 amps |
| LG | LSG4511ST
6.3 cu. ft. Single Gas Oven Slide-in Range |
120 volt, 15 amp or 20 amp |
| KitchenAid | KSGB900E
6.5 cu. ft. Slide-In Gas Range |
120 volt, 15 amp |
| Bosch | HGS8655UC
36″ Industrial Style Gas Range 3.4 cu. Ft. |
120 volt, 15 amp |
| GE | JGB820SEP
30″ Free-Standing Self-Clean Free-Standing Gas Range |
120 volt, 9 amp (you can use a 15 amp breaker for this) |
| Frigidaire | FCFG3083AS
30″ Front Control Gas Range with Convection Bake |
120 volt, 12 amp (you can use a 15 amp breaker for this) |
| THOR | LRG3001U
30″ Professional Range with Five Burners, Gas Convection Oven, Natural Gas |
120 volt, 15 amp or 20 amp |
| THOR | HRD3088U
30″ Professional Dual Fuel Range with Four Burners, Natural Gas, Electric Oven, 240V |
240 volts, 30 amp |
How to Determine Amp Usage of a Gas Stove?
The manufacturer’s manual usually tells how much power certain components of their products consume. However, to be more precise, you can use a multimeter or an ammeter to measure how much electricity the gas stove will draw during operation.
Some multimeters or ammeters come with a current clamp. Current clamps can measure the current without cutting the circuit. Some current clamps can measure either load current or leakage current.
Power meters are also viable options. They can easily be plugged into the same outlet as the gas stove. These power meters can measure how many watts the device is drawing, how much current flows from the outlet, and calculate energy consumption per hour in terms of kilowatt-hours.
Factors Affecting Electrical Power Consumption
Some factors can increase the electrical consumption of a gas stove. These factors include:
- High set temperature
- Length of operating time
- For gas stoves with ovens, the frequency of opening the oven door
- Holidays
Some factors can conversely decrease electrical consumption. The following factors are:
- Use of convection ovens instead of traditional ones
- Use of appliances with newer technologies
Frequently Asked Questions
Breaker size for a gas stove
If you look at our table in the previous sections, you will notice that most gas stoves will need 15 amp breakers. However, some will need 30 amp breakers or even more, so always check your manufacturer’s manual for more details.
Comparison of power usage of gas stoves to other types of stoves
A gas stove will use far less electrical energy than a full-blown electric one. Gas stoves will need electricity to power only certain components of the appliance. Therefore, how many amps does a gas stove draw will depend on how many components need to be powered.
But currently, another thing to consider is the cost of running the appliance. A gas stove is generally cheaper to operate than an electric range. Both electric stoves and gas stoves are almost similar in price, but an electric stove costs twice as much to operate as a gas stove, according to the California Energy Commission.
Can an electrical system handle a gas stove?
Most homes are now required to have at least 100 amp service panels. 100 amp service is more than enough for modern homes to power gas stoves, from the minimal 1.5 amp gas stoves up to the 30 amp dual gas ranges with electric ovens.
Besides, gas stoves are not used all the time continuously, and not all power-consuming appliances are running simultaneously.
Older homes with 60 amp service panels, on the other hand, may need to refrain from using 30 amp dual gas ranges. 60 amp service panels may only have one slot for a 240-volt connection, so only one large appliance can be placed in the house. An electrical upgrade may be needed for additional circuits.
Can gas stoves impact your electricity bills?
Gas stoves with minimal 1.5 amp draws (180 watts of electricity at 120 volts) have little to no impact on your electricity bill.
Suppose you operate your gas stove for one hour at 1.5 amps. In that case, the appliance will only consume around 0.180 kWh of electricity.
If we take the US Bureau of Labor Statistics average electricity price last February 2023 ($0.168 per kWh), the gas stove would only add $0.03 per hour to your electricity bill. Of course, this number would be lower if not all components were running.
However, the gas stoves with higher current draws will have higher operating costs. If we turn on the Frigidaire FCFG3083AS’s 1400-watt broiler for one hour, then the energy consumption would be 1.4 kWh and it would cost $0.24 per hour. But this cost is only true if, again, all components are running.
Now, let’s look at the THOR Dual Fuel HRD3088U at 30 amps with the 3500-watt broiler, 850-watt top oven, and 3000-watt base oven. If all these components run for one hour, they will consume 7.35 kWh of energy, equaling $1.23 per hour maximum.
Is a dedicated circuit required for gas stoves?
It depends. Some homeowners would like to plug the gas stove into an existing outlet in the kitchen like the refrigerator, especially if the gas stove has an unnoticeable current draw.
But remember, a handful of gas ranges need more current like the Frigidaire unit we talked about. We, therefore, recommend that gas stoves have their own dedicated circuit if manufacturers require them.
Related:
Do gas stoves need a ground prong?
Yes, if they require electricity to operate, gas stoves need a ground pong. However, the ground wire does not directly impact the functionality of the stoves. It acts as a safety precaution.
In case a short happens, power could leak from the “hot” wire into the stove’s metal case and zap anyone touching it.
However, if the stove is grounded, the short will trigger the fuse or the circuit breaker, preventing a could-be fatal incident.
Conclusion
How many amps does a gas stove use? They can draw as low as 1.5 amps, as high as 30 amps, or even more depending on the features requiring electricity. To safely operate these gas stoves, always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Use the right circuit elements and keep them in a dedicated circuit.
Installed and used properly, gas stoves can be efficient money savers since they cost less to operate compared to their full electric counterparts.
I am Edwin Jones, in charge of designing content for Galvinpower. I aspire to use my experiences in marketing to create reliable and necessary information to help our readers. It has been fun to work with Andrew and apply his incredible knowledge to our content.