🍳 How to Use a Japanese Stove (Gas & IH Types)

Summary:
Japanese stoves may look different from what you’re used to, but once you learn the basics, they’re easy and safe to use.
This guide covers both gas and IH (induction heating) stoves — including how to operate them, common safety tips, and what to do if your stove stops working.

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🔎 1. Identify Your Stove Type

There are two main types of stoves found in Japanese homes:

Type	Features	Common Brands
Gas Stove (ガスコンロ)	Uses visible flame, needs gas line and battery ignition	Rinnai, Paloma
IH Stove (IHクッキングヒーター)	Uses electromagnetic heat, no flame, flat glass surface	Panasonic, Mitsubishi, Hitachi

💡 Tip: If you see an open flame and hear a clicking sound when igniting, it’s a gas stove.
If there’s no flame and the surface is flat like glass, it’s an IH stove.

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🔥 2. How to Use a Japanese Gas Stove

Step-by-Step:

1. Check the gas valve (usually behind the stove) is in the ON position — the lever should be parallel to the pipe.

2. Press and turn the burner knob to “点火 (ignite)” or “強 (high).”

3. Hold it for a few seconds until the flame stabilizes.

4. Adjust heat to “中 (medium)” or “弱 (low)” as needed.

5. After cooking, turn the knob to “切 (off)” and close the main gas valve if you’re leaving for a long time.

💡 The grill section (with a fish icon 🐟 or “グリル”) is commonly used to grill fish or bread.

Safety Tips:

• Always use the stove in a well-ventilated area.

• Never leave a pan unattended on high flame.

• Wipe spills immediately to prevent gas sensor errors.

• If the flame goes out, turn off the gas and wait a few minutes before re-igniting.

• If you smell gas, stop using immediately, turn off all valves, open windows, and contact emergency services.

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🔋 3. Gas Stove Battery Information

Many Japanese gas stoves use batteries for ignition (no external power cable).
If your stove doesn’t click or ignite, the battery may be dead.

How to Check:

• Open the battery compartment (usually located at the front or side under the knobs).

• Most stoves use 1 or 2 “D-size” (単1形 / tan-ichi-kei) batteries.

Replacement Instructions:

1. Open the compartment and remove the old batteries.

2. Insert new batteries in the correct direction (＋/－ marked).

3. Close the lid and test by turning the knob — you should hear the ignition click.

⚡ Tip: Batteries usually last 6–12 months depending on usage.

Where to Buy:

You can find replacement batteries at:

• Convenience stores (コンビニ) — FamilyMart, Lawson, 7-Eleven

• Supermarkets — Aeon, San-A

• Home centers — Makeman (メイクマン), Cainz, Homac

• 100 yen shops — Daiso, Seria

• Online — Amazon Japan or Rakuten

Search for: “単1形 乾電池 (tan-ichi-kei batterie)”

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⚡ 4. How to Use a Japanese IH (Induction) Stove

Step-by-Step:

1. Place IH-compatible cookware (marked “IH対応 / IH-taiou”) on the burner.

2. Press the power button (電源) to turn on.

3. Select the heating zone if there are multiple.

4. Adjust temperature using “＋ / －” buttons or mode buttons such as:

   • 炒め (Itame) = Stir-fry

   • 煮る (Niru) = Simmer

5. To stop heating, press “切 (Off)” and wait for the surface to cool before cleaning.

Safety Tips:

• Only use IH-compatible cookware (flat magnetic base).

• Keep metallic utensils away when cooking.

• Don’t touch the hot surface right after use.

• Wipe the surface with a soft damp cloth after it cools down.

💡 Common issue: if the stove doesn’t heat, your pot might not be IH-compatible.

Learn more here:
🔗 Fun Japan – Guide to Japanese Stoves
🔗 Ill Make It Myself – Japanese Kitchen Appliances Guide

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🔣 5. Common Stove Symbols

Japanese	Meaning	English
点火	Ignite	Start the flame
強	High	Strong heat
中	Medium	Normal heat
弱	Low	Low heat
切	Off	Turn off
グリル	Grill	Built-in fish grill
電源	Power	Power on/off
IH対応	IH Compatible	For induction cookware

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🔧 6. If Your Stove Doesn’t Work

For Gas Stove:

• Check the battery (replace if needed).

• Confirm the gas valve is open.

• Ensure knobs are turned fully during ignition.

For IH Stove:

• Confirm power supply is on.

• Use IH-compatible cookware.

• Check if error codes are showing (refer to the model sticker).

If it still not working please submit a maintenance request.