“The truth is somewhere in the middle of funny and serious.”
Steve Coogan, British actor and comedian
If you have missed the buzz about gas stoves lately, you must have been stranded on a desert island. So what’s going on?
Unheating the controversy over gas stoves
A new study came out a few weeks ago about health problems and gas stoves. Although other studies have reported a link before, this one caught on fire. It showed 13% of childhood asthma cases can be attributed to the use of gas stoves.
In response to the study, an official from the Consumer Product Safety Council made an offhanded comment about looking into banning gas stoves. From there, things started to spin off the rails on social media. To be clear, a ban is not being considered, nor will it ever happen.
This story is the poster child for my blog. A lot of climate-related issues get unnecessarily heated. So let’s take a collective deep breath – nobody is coming to your home to rip out your stove.
On the positive side, the drama is creating interest in other cooking options, primarily induction. Induction stoves use electricity, and get their energy from an electromagnetic field. There are several myths, and also some pros and cons.
Benefits of induction stoves:
- They heat food and boil water more quickly
- The temperature is precise
- The surface isn’t hot when the pan is removed
- Because they are electric, they reduce fossil fuel demand
- No toxic chemicals are emitted
- They are easier to clean
- You may qualify for a tax credit
Disadvantages of converting to induction:
- You might need to buy new pans – they need to have a magnetic bottom
- There may be upfront cost to converting your power source (but you could get a tax credit)
I own a gas stove, and while I’m not a gourmet chef, I do produce a meal for my family most nights. So, do I plan to run out and buy an induction stove? No. I don’t have young kids and nobody in my home has asthma. However, when it’s time for a replacement I will most likely be shopping for induction.
What can we do:
- Have a laugh with Jonathan Scott from the Property Brothers
- If you have a gas stove and are concerned, educate yourself
- If you’re replacing a stove, research your options and consider electric
Let’s do something about climate change. Learn about it. Think about it. Talk about it.