kW (Kilowatt) Rating

kW rating: A kilowatt (kW) is 1,000 watts of electrical power. Electric foodservice equipment is rated in kW — its power draw at full load. One kW ≈ 3,412 BTU/hr, so kW and BTU/hr both describe heat output; kW simply measures it on the electrical side.

Why it matters when buying

kW drives both cooking performance and your electrical service. A higher-kW unit heats and recovers faster but may require 208/240V three-phase power and a larger breaker. Verify your panel can supply the amperage before specifying high-kW electric cooking equipment.

How to read it on a spec sheet

Find the kW rating alongside voltage, phase, and amperage. Multiply amps × volts (× 1.732 for three-phase) to sanity-check the kW. Match all four figures to the receptacle and circuit the equipment will use.

Related equipment

Source: General definition; 1 kW = 3,412.14 BTU/hr (standard conversion). · Compiled by Resultex Media Group · Last verified August 2026