Switching from electric stoves to gas
Choosing the ideal stove for your home can be tricky and with the uncertainty of load shedding in our country, cooking with gas may be an alternative. According to stove experts gas stoves have become a popular choice as they are a clean and efficient way to cook. However, you must ensure that your kitchen complies to all the safety standards before using gas appliances.
Benefits of gas
Here are some of the advantages of cooking with gas.
Gas gives you an instant cooking flame.
Is easy and instantaneous to light.
The blue flame is visible and its size is easily controlled over a wide range so that the required rate of heating can be obtained.
When burning correctly it is non-poisonous and safe to use.
Burns cleanly and does not produce any soot, smoke or smell during combustion, therefore leaving your kitchen clean.
Is pure, and very consistent in quality.
Adds to your comfort because cooking is quick and the kitchen does not get heated as with other fuels like wood or charcoal.
Risk factors
Even though considered stable and safe, gas still possesses a certain degree of danger, just like any type of fuel. According to Arive Alive’s ‘’Safety with Gas” advice, the most common types of hazards associated with the use of gas include explosions, fire and inhaling carbon monoxide. The source of these can include:
Poor hose connections
Damaged or corroded cylinders/Inadequate maintenance
Placing a cylinder near a source of heat
Incorrect storage of the cylinder.
When gas does not burn properly or is used in an area without adequate ventilation, it produces excess carbon monoxide (CO) – a colourless, odourless gas. When inhaled, carbon monoxide binds to the haemoglobin in the blood. This reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen, starving the body of oxygen and poisoning it. This could lead to, in extreme cases, death, loss of consciousness, tiredness, drowsiness, breathlessness, headaches, nausea and chest and stomach pains.
Installation
Gas stoves must be installed according to the legal requirements where you reside. These guidelines will help you ensure that all installation steps are covered.
Ensure work on all gas installations is carried out by a licensed or authorised gasfitter.
Gas bottles may not be installed less than one meter from doors and windows.
All copper pipes going through a wall must be sleeved.
Your gas installation must be accompanied by a certificate of conformity for gas appliances.
The types of gas installations that require this certificate include gas fires or braais, gas stoves and ovens, as well as water systems heated by gas.
The gas installer must explain all operating instructions to you.
Warning signs
It is essential to take the time to make sure you know the safety tips and read the manufacturers instruction manual when you get the gas stove. Here are some warning signs that your stove may not be working properly.
The flame on your gas cooker should be crisp and blue. Lazy yellow or orange flames mean you need to get your cooker checked.
Soot or black marks or staining around or on your stove.
Your pilot lights may go out frequently.
You may see increased condensation inside your windows
Safety when cooking
As mentioned you must ensure your kitchen complies with safety standards before using your gas stove. We list some cooking tips for gas stoves.
Be aware of gas leaks and to be on the safe side install a carbon monoxide detecor and smoke alarm.
Ensuring your gas stove and hot plates have adequate clearance from combustible surfaces.
Range-hoods must be at least 600mm above the stove.
Exhaust fans must be 750mm above the stove.
Burners must have clearances of 200mm, unless the nearby wall or surface is suitably protected.
Keep flammable objects away from the stove – that goes for all stoves.
Keep a fire extinguisher handy.
Ensure there is adequate ventilation when you are cooking
Service your gas stove according to the manufacturers guidelines.
