Definition & Meaning of "front burner"in English

What is the origin of the idiom "front burner" and when to use it?

The idiom "front burner" comes from cooking, where a stove has multiple burners. The front burners are used for pots and pans that need immediate attention because they are more easily accessible and typically deal with the most urgent cooking tasks. In contrast to the back burners, which hold food that can simmer or be delayed, the front burner is associated with high priority. Metaphorically, the term "front burner" was adopted in the 20th century to describe issues, tasks, or concerns that require immediate focus and priority, similar to how the front burners are used for things that need constant monitoring.