Gas cookers make cooking easy and quick. But improper use can make the refill bill a pain when it becomes too frequent. This improper use is also part of the reason many people stay away from buying gas cylinders.
Luckily, this doesn't have to be a problem because there is the right way to use gas to make it last. Such as using the right pans, proper pan covering, and flame settings. Read on for more tips on gas conservation and don't miss out on how to save yaka with these fridge hacks.
1. Use the right pot and burner
Gas cookers have multiple burners with different sizes for a reason. If you're using a big pot to cook, use the big burner, and the small burner for small pots. This way, the amount of gas burnt will be proportional to the pot and its contents.
2. The cooking pot bottom should cover the flame
Another reason to use the right burner for the right pot is to keep the flame under the pot. For example, if you are using a small pot and use a big burner, the flames will fan out and rise on the side of the pot. All the heat from these flames will not be absorbed leading to gas dumping.
Always ensure that the flame is under the pot.
3. Heat and temperature
The flame from burning gas produces heat energy. The heat is then absorbed by the pot and the contents. It's the temperature then that rises and cooks the food or water. This means the higher the temperature in the pot, the faster the cooking.
Therefore, once the boiling point is reached, increasing heat by burning more gas will not increase the temperature further. So instead of increasing the heat, maintain the minimum flame to sustain the boiling.
In addition, gradually add water to a pot instead of using excess water at the beginning. Avoid cooking excess water for long periods over a high flame.
4. Keep the lid on the cooking pot lid as much as possible
To use minimal gas while cooking, make sure the pot lid is always covering the pot properly. This way, steam is always trapped which makes the food cook faster. You will also spend less time cooking.
5. Prepare before cooking
Make sure you have everything you need before you light the burner. If you take extended periods of time to get every ingredient or item, you risk not only wasting gas but also burning your food.
6. Service and maintenance of gas cylinder and burner
Have a weekly check and clean of the cylinder and gas cooker. This way you can catch any leakage or damage on time. After each use, make sure your gas regulator is turned off properly.
7. Invest in a quality pressure cooker
Pressure cookers cook at about 125 degrees centigrade compared to ordinary pots which cook at about 100 degrees centigrade. This means a pressure cooker will convert small amounts of burnt gas to faster cooking.
8. Metal pots and colour of the flame
Lastly, make sure your pots are metallic. Metal is a better conductor of heat and requires less heat energy to cook compared to non-metallic cookware.
Ensure that the cooking flame is blue. Yellow and any other colour might be a sign of grease, soot, or food residue on the burner.