What is Medium-High Heat On a Stove? How Do You Crack It On Every Stove?

What is Medium-High Heat On a Stove? How Do You Crack It On Every Stove?
Medium-high heat, a key setting for cooking tasks like browning, sautéing, and searing, sits between medium and high on the stove. On a gas stove, it’s typically a steady flame around 4–6; on an electric stove, it’s usually set between 6–7; and on an induction stove, it’s often at 6 or 7.

A kitchen just doesn’t feel complete without a stove, that cornerstone appliance where nearly all home-cooked meals begin. Whether it’s a gas stove with a flickering blue flame, an electric stovetop, or a sleek induction model, stoves are as much a part of cooking as the ingredients themselves. With a turn of the knob, we have the power to boil, simmer, sauté, and sear. Yet, as user-friendly as these appliances may seem, they present a bit of a challenge when recipes start calling for terms like “medium-high heat.” You might find yourself staring at knobs marked with confusing numbers, acronyms, or symbols, trying to decode the mysterious setting. So what exactly is medium-high heat, and why is it such a staple in cooking?

What is Medium-High Heat, and Why Does it Matter?
Medium-high heat sits between medium and high settings and serves as a versatile middle ground for cooking. It’s ideal for tasks like browning meat, sautéing vegetables, searing fish, and achieving that perfect golden crust on foods. At medium-high, food cooks quickly enough to develop deep flavors and textures without risking a charred exterior or undercooked interior. It’s also the setting you’d typically use for making pan sauces, frying, and even some stir-fries, where a controlled but intense heat is necessary. For most home cooks, mastering medium-high is essential because it’s where many foundational cooking techniques come to life—resulting in beautifully browned, flavorful dishes that cook evenly.