So the heading is a shameless gambit to get you to read more from Peter on supercharging your stove (originally posted on Chowhound). I suspect he also enjoys describing this in detail just so he can use the word ‘nipple.’ (What, you’re not snickering?)

“I can’t help but notice you mention iron woks and playing with the gas level on stoves. Iron woks are great for all the same reason cast-iron skillets are great. And getting more heat to iron is great for a lot of cooking (like for meat).

Now here’s the thing about getting more BTUs (gas) out of your common gas range… I smirk at high-end stoves, partly out of jealousy (because I really would use high flames and six burners), but mostly because anybody can get more gas out of their common range at no expense. Granted your stove might still be off-balance and look crappy, but putting out more heat is a big help in cooking (can all restaurants be wrong?).

First the disclaimer: I am not a plumber, electrician, and have no knowledge in the ways of explosive gas. I think the following is safe. I’m still here. But really I have no idea.

1) Unscrew the nipple on one burner (I think a rear burner works better). The nipple is the last part where the gas comes out. You’ll need a small wrench.
2) Take a small metal drill bit and simply make the hole a little bigger. Just a little bigger. After testing, you can always make it still a little bigger.
3) Rescrew the nipple back on the stove.

The gas valve is earlier in the pipes. So there is no difference in gas ouput at low levels. But when valve is all the way open, the gas output is limited by the size of the hole on the nipple. More gas can come out when the burner is all the way up, and it makes a big difference. Despite the great heat output, this process does not lessen the ability of the burner to stay on at very low heat. So this burner can still be used for everything.

Only do this with one burner, because there are minor downsides. Specifically, the electric spark starter will often not work as well, so you’ll need to light this burner manually with a flame. I haven’t tried it with a pilot light. My guess is a pilot light would work better. I have one of my two rear burners supercharged. So the front ones, the ones I use more, still light easily. Also, the high heat can darken/burn the paint off the top of stove right around the burner. I figure anybody who is going to take a drill to their gas line doesn’t care about this.”