Usability of a gas cooker
Nov 12, 2010
Cooking with gas is becoming is a neccessity. It is cheaper than electricity and is also a hygenic way of cooking and is environmentally friendly.
By Samuel Lutwama
Cooking with gas is becoming is a neccessity. It is cheaper than electricity and is also a hygenic way of cooking and is environmentally friendly.
Scovia Bejura, a manager at a fuel station in Kampala, says the fact that gas is available in almost all petrol stations and supermarkets makes it the better option to use.
Bejura says gas is affordable compared to the cost one incurs while using other fuel sources. Unlike electricity, the heat on a gas cooker is instant. The moment the gas is turned on, heat is generated from the flame. If the electricity goes out, you can still use gas.
The burners are of various sizes and heat generated depends on the size of the burner. So the user has a choice of which burner to select for a specific task. Also, the flame can be controlled. Depending on what you are cooking, you can opt to use a low flame, medium flame or a high flame.
Some utility gas cookers are fitted with an option for cooking with electricity. This includes the grill and burner.
However, there are dangers associated with using utility gas, some of which are fatal.
Gas leakages are the most common cause of gas-related accidents. These occur in two forms:
Unburnt gas through a leakage on the cylinder nozzle, gas pipe or tank. In other case a person may leave the cooker turned on. If this reacts with fire the result can be fatal. Besides the outright explosion of fire, once the leakage gas comes into contact with your skin, it can cause frostbite.
There is the case of leaking burnt gas which usually occurs when the gas cooker is in use. The biggest danger associated with partially burnt gas is carbonmonoxide poisoning.
A gas leak can be detected by smell. To combat this, turn off the gas cooker and then turn off the switch at the cylinder. If you detect a gas leak evacuate the room until the air clears.
Do not be tempted to strike matches or smoke cigarettes, when you detect a gas leak. Open all the windows to ventilate the premises and keep children away from the affected area.
It is better to handle the prevention of the damages than dealing with the fatal incidences of using gas. As preventive measures, always ensure that your gas cylinder is in good condition with no apparent leakages.
All gas users should ensure that the gas cylinder is switched off when not in use and all the knobs are in the off position. It is the onus of the gas owner to sensitise all household members on how to use gas safely.
Gas cookers ought to be placed at a height where children cannot access the gas knobs. For home owners who are construcing their houses, but with the hope of using gas, consider building an outside storage room for the gas cylinder and simply pipe the gas from outside. Also consider installing a flame failure sensor to avert the risk of a gas explosion.
Cooking with gas is becoming is a neccessity. It is cheaper than electricity and is also a hygenic way of cooking and is environmentally friendly.
Scovia Bejura, a manager at a fuel station in Kampala, says the fact that gas is available in almost all petrol stations and supermarkets makes it the better option to use.
Bejura says gas is affordable compared to the cost one incurs while using other fuel sources. Unlike electricity, the heat on a gas cooker is instant. The moment the gas is turned on, heat is generated from the flame. If the electricity goes out, you can still use gas.
The burners are of various sizes and heat generated depends on the size of the burner. So the user has a choice of which burner to select for a specific task. Also, the flame can be controlled. Depending on what you are cooking, you can opt to use a low flame, medium flame or a high flame.
Some utility gas cookers are fitted with an option for cooking with electricity. This includes the grill and burner.
However, there are dangers associated with using utility gas, some of which are fatal.
Gas leakages are the most common cause of gas-related accidents. These occur in two forms:
Unburnt gas through a leakage on the cylinder nozzle, gas pipe or tank. In other case a person may leave the cooker turned on. If this reacts with fire the result can be fatal. Besides the outright explosion of fire, once the leakage gas comes into contact with your skin, it can cause frostbite.
There is the case of leaking burnt gas which usually occurs when the gas cooker is in use. The biggest danger associated with partially burnt gas is carbonmonoxide poisoning.
A gas leak can be detected by smell. To combat this, turn off the gas cooker and then turn off the switch at the cylinder. If you detect a gas leak evacuate the room until the air clears.
Do not be tempted to strike matches or smoke cigarettes, when you detect a gas leak. Open all the windows to ventilate the premises and keep children away from the affected area.
It is better to handle the prevention of the damages than dealing with the fatal incidences of using gas. As preventive measures, always ensure that your gas cylinder is in good condition with no apparent leakages.
All gas users should ensure that the gas cylinder is switched off when not in use and all the knobs are in the off position. It is the onus of the gas owner to sensitise all household members on how to use gas safely.
Gas cookers ought to be placed at a height where children cannot access the gas knobs. For home owners who are construcing their houses, but with the hope of using gas, consider building an outside storage room for the gas cylinder and simply pipe the gas from outside. Also consider installing a flame failure sensor to avert the risk of a gas explosion.