This invention describes an improved gas burner assembly that can be adapted to attach to a range top or cooktop, or the floor of the range and can draw air from either above the range top level by external vents or from below range top level through an open style mixing cup. The invention uses a plurality of different flame rings to provide the user a wide variety of temperature settings starting from a low intensity simmer to high intensity cooking heat. The gas burner also utilizes a cover plate of transparent or translucent, heat proof material that allows the user to observe the interior of the burner to see if any of the flame rings have been ignited. The cover plate also transfers heat from the internal flame rings to the cooking utensil which provides a more uniform transfer of heat to the utensil.