What Temperature Is Medium High Heat?

You can use several different appliances when you want to cook. You may want to sauté a meal on your stovetop, bake something in your oven, or make some food on the grill. There are differences in the cooking temperatures you will need to use depending on the recipe you want to make.

One of the most popular temperatures you will find in a recipe is medium-high heat. It will keep the pans hot enough while not letting the food get too warm too quickly. Learn more about the specific temperatures associated with medium-high heat on each appliance you may use in the information below.

Table of Contents

• What Temperature is Medium High Heat?
  • What is High Heat?
  • What is Medium Low Heat?
• What Temperature is Medium-High Heat on a Grill?
  • What is High Heat on a Grill?
  • Medium Low Grill Temperature
• Cooking at Medium-High Heat
• FAQs

What Temperature is Medium High Heat?

When considering medium-high heat temperature, there is a difference between the stovetop and the oven. When using the burners, you need to turn the dials to the appropriate temperatures. For an oven, adjust the settings under the bake function.

Typically, when considering medium-high heat, you will want to consider the temperature that of the burner or oven racks. Each type of cooking you want to perform will have a different range. Typically, it will only take a few seconds to get to your desired temperature, however, when using a stovetop or oven.

If you want to cook something in the oven on low heat at 200 degrees Fahrenheit, it will take a long time. For a medium-high heat that still has a relatively quick-cooking speed, you will need to be between 375 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

When setting your oven to these temperatures, you will only need to adjust the bake settings, as aforementioned. To change them on the stovetop, you have to move the dials. Set them to the fourth of fifth mark, which should be near the middle of the setting options.

When cooking on medium-high heat, you want to finish your meals quickly without burning them. It is best for fish, steaks, and some chicken cuts that already get done fast in the oven or on the burner. You can also make vegetables, eggs, and pancakes using these settings to achieve the perfect taste.

What is High Heat?

There are rare situations when you may want to use high heat on your stove or oven. This setting is beneficial if you need to evaporate liquids for gravies or rues. It will also sear meats quickly. You will need to have the settings between 450 and 600 degrees Fahrenheit.

You will again need to adjust the dials when using the stovetop burners. Move them to the seventh, eighth, or ninth icons, and the latter is the highest. Watch the food in your pan throughout the cooking process, as it will burn quickly at this high temperature.

Most household ovens only allow you to go to 450 or 475 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooking times will be shorter than required for medium-high heat. Unless you have a professional-grade appliance, you will likely be unable to get to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. Only experienced cooks should cook at this high of a temperature anyways.

Most agree that it will only take your stove or oven a second or two to get to high heat. You can put your food on the pan or baking sheet almost right away. It will only take your food a few minutes to finish cooking in most cases.

What is Medium Low Heat?

Technically, most people consider medium-low and medium heat temperature settings the same. This temperature is best for wanting to get your pans or utensils warm. If you desire to cook slowly, you can use this option. You could brown potatoes, for instance, without burning them in a casserole dish in your oven.

Most of the time, for a stovetop or an oven, you will want the temperature to be anywhere between 300 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Some would state that medium-low heat is around 375 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. You will want to set the dials for your burners to the second or third options. These settings will warm your pan enough to bring a delicious taste to your meals.

Low settings themselves are more popular than medium-low heat. The temperatures you will want to cook your food are between 200 and 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Low heat settings are primarily beneficial when cooking roasts or pork in the oven, as you do not want to lose any moisture from your meat.

You can use low heat settings on your stovetop when you need to simmer your foods. You will turn the dial for the burner to the first possible option. Sometimes when simmering, you will place a lid on your pan to help evaporate the liquids.

What Temperature is Medium-High Heat on a Grill?

You can also cook on medium-high heat when using a grill. The gas and electric-powered variants have dials to adjust to change the temperature. If using a charcoal grill, the process is more intensive.

Medium-high heat on a grill is available for both indirect and direct grilling. Most agree that the temperature should be between 375 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

You can use a grilling thermometer to determine how hot the racks are. Some of these appliances, including the propane and charcoal variants, have a temperature gauge on the front to allow you to monitor the temperature. If your grill has this feature, you will not need to purchase an additional thermometer.

To reach medium-high heat on a charcoal grill, you will need to move the coals. Spread them apart, allowing the temperature to disperse more across the racks. You will need to close the top vent to prevent increased oxygen from bringing the heat up. Finally, you can move the metal racks to a few inches above the coals.

To adjust an electric or gas-powered grill, you will only need to move the dials. Turn the dials to the fifth or sixth options to reach the desired temperature. You will see at least a few flames come above the racks when you are at medium-high heat.

What is High Heat on a Grill?

High heat on your grill allows you to bring the temperature to 450 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. Some of these appliances can even get to 650 degrees when cooking fast. You must monitor your food, however, as it will burn quickly.

When cooking at high heat on your grill, your food will start to sizzle almost as soon as you put it on the rack. You will need to flip or turn your meal frequently to prevent burning. Your food will have impressive grill marks on it, giving it a gorgeous look for your guests.

When using propane or electric-powered grills, remember you will have to adjust the location of the dials. You can move them to the highest or second to last setting to achieve this high heat. The flames will rise above the racks, and you will feel how hot the air is.

When using a charcoal grill, you will lower the racks as close to the coals as possible. Make sure that the vents are fully open. This process allows oxygen to pass through the grill. Finally, you will want your coals to be close together, placing the food directly over the pile.

Medium Low Grill Temperature

If you want to slow cook food on the grill, you can set the temperature to 250 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also place your meal on indirect heat, no matter the temperature setting of your grill. You will achieve the same results.

To set your gas-powered grill to medium-low heat, you will need to put the dials on the third or fourth settings. You will barely see the flames under the grill racks. It will take a while to achieve grill marks or a brown appearance if cooking meat on your appliance.

When using a charcoal grill, you will want to move your racks to the highest position possible. Spread the coals wide apart to disperse the heat so that the appliance does not become too hot. Finally, barely open the vents to allow very little oxygen to get in so that the fire does not grow. These settings will also help you with low heat adjustments on a charcoal grill.

To cook on low heat on a propane-powered or electric grill, you will need to turn the dial to the lowest setting. It will take a long time to finalize your meal, so this method is best for smoking meats. If you have an actual smoker, you know how long it can take to get your food to the perfect temperature.

Cooking at Medium-High Heat

Medium-high heat is one of the most popular temperatures used when cooking, no matter the appliance. You can finish off meals that began at high heat, or you can cook meats at a slower timeframe.

Medium-high heat is a temperature anywhere between 375 and 450 degrees Fahrenheit. You can adjust the dial on a stovetop or a gas-powered grill to the sixth through eighth settings. Adjust the baking temperature for an oven, and move the racks slightly higher on a charcoal grill.

FAQs