Gas stoves can release hazardous emissions and are also costly to fix. Nonetheless, many people globally rely on gas as their primary cooking appliance.
A brand new electric stove and oven has been developed that can be easily connected to a standard household power socket without the need for professional electricians.
These stoves could be a valuable innovation in supporting a widespread shift towards cleaner energy away from gas.
Dealing with gas leaks
For years, Ed Yaker and his fellow board members, responsible for overseeing nearly 1,500 apartments in a New York City cooperative, have had to cope with gas leaks.
It's no surprise that Yaker was intrigued when he came across a California company making an electric stove and oven that could be easily plugged into a standard electrical outlet.
There will be no gas supply for several months until costly repairs to the local gas pipes are carried out.
Electricity rates are low during off-peak hours, enabling individuals to cook without incurring peak-rate electricity charges.
“Is this the way to go?” Yaker asked. "In terms of that, it's a no-brainer," he said, holding up a quart (about one liter) of water that boiled in about two minutes.
Yaker was also motivated by the energy efficiency of the electric stove, a concern that is reflected in the numerous books about energy and climate change in his apartment.
Cooking with electricity is a healthier option.
Gas stoves remain the most frequently used cooking method in developed countries, yet they emit pollutants like nitrogen dioxide, which has been associated with asthma, and benzene, a substance linked to cancer.
When gas stoves are used, they release pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter into the air. These pollutants can exacerbate respiratory issues like asthma and increase the risk of heart disease.
"Watching pollutant levels spike significantly every time I turned on the stove or oven was enough to prompt me to make a change,” Jackson stated.
You wouldn't stand next to a car's exhaust pipe inhaling its emissions, yet nearly 50 million households in the United States are exposed to similar pollutants in their own homes by cooking with a gas stove.
Even when turned off, gas stoves release pollutants into the air.
, and hot water.
Approximately half of a gas stove's heat dissipates into the room. In contrast, electric stoves can be up to 80 percent efficient. Among electric stoves, induction stoves stand out for their efficiency, reaching up to 90 percent, largely due to the fact that they only heat the area in direct contact with the pot.
It continues to contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, even when it is not in use.
– the primary component of natural gas – when they're turned off, from loose fittings and at connections between the stove and the wall.
The climate impact of leaky stoves in American homes was equivalent to the carbon emissions from approximately 500,000 gasoline-powered vehicles.
The latest electric stoves come with a higher price tag – and require some time to get accustomed to.
Early adopters of the Copper stoves are counting on government incentives to offset the high cost. When Yaker, a teacher, purchased his, a federal tax credit for clean energy appliances reduced the price from $6,000 to $4,200.
The company has also retrofitted an apartment building with the stoves.
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Some other tenants have experienced a more challenging transition to induction cooking.
“Honestly, I'm not a big fan of the way it cooks my food in the oven,” said Monica Moore, who has noticed a noticeable difference in the texture of her cornbread. She is pleased with how rapidly water boils, but misses the process of cooking with an open flame, and found it to be a bit of a hassle to swap out her pans with ones that are compatible with induction stoves.
For Jackson, however, the shift away from gas is significant:
I consider cars and homes to be the primary areas for reducing our carbon footprint.