Better to lift second appliance inside cupboard, possibly (3,5)

I believe the answer is:
gas meter
'better' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how they can define each other.
I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for gas meter that I've seen before include "Measurer of fuel consumption" , "Domestic utility device" , "Fuel flow measurer" , "Bill after its second reading, perhaps" , "Measuring device for fuel used, for heating perhaps" .)
