Gas stoves might emit hazardous contaminants and tend to be costly when needing repairs. Nevertheless, numerous people globally rely on them as their main tool for cooking.

A newly developed electric stove and oven can now be connected directly to a standard power socket without requiring an electrician’s assistance.

These stoves have the potential to be a valuable advancement facilitating a widespread shift towards cleaner energy sources, moving us away from reliance on gas.

Dealing with gas leaks

For many years, Ed Yaker along with his fellow board members—who oversee approximately 1,500 apartments within a New York City co-op—have faced the persistent issue of gas leaks.

It's not surprising that Yaker’s interest was sparked upon discovering a California-based start-up that was producing an electric stove and oven capable of being connected to a standard electrical outlet.

In case of a leak, the gas supply for the whole building is cut off, preventing residents from using it. stove For several months until costly repairs are conducted on the nearby natural gas pipelines.

Nevertheless, the modern, conventional four-burner electric induction cooker from Copper operates at 120 volts, so you won’t have to spend large sums of money hiring an accredited electrician to modify your wiring for 240 volts as required by numerous electric cookers. The advanced design includes a built-in intelligent battery, allowing it to recharge whenever needed. electrical rates are minimal, enabling individuals to prepare meals without facing high peak-rate electricity fees.

“When it comes to whether this is the right approach, it’s obvious,” Yaker stated, showing how a liter of water came to a boil in approximately two minutes.

Yaker was also drawn to the energy-efficient electric stove because his apartment is filled with literature on energy conservation and climate change.

Preparing food using electric appliances is more health-conscious.

Gas cooking Remains the prevalent technique for cooking in developed nations; however, gas stoves emit contaminants such as nitrogen dioxide, associated with asthma, along with carcinogenic benzene.

"I used a gas stove until I began this line of research," stated Rob Jackson, an environmental scientist from Stanford University and the principal author of the study. study Regarding contamination caused by gas stoves.

"Every time I ignited a burner or turned on my oven, I noticed an immediate increase in pollutants, which convinced me to make the change," Jackson said.

You wouldn't breathe in the exhaust from a car's tailpipe. Yet, approximately 50 million U.S. households hover around a gas stove, inhaling similar contaminants indoors.

Even when not in use, gas stoves release emissions.

Induction stoves can likewise tackle the significant volume of greenhouse gases emitted by buildings – particularly those produced during cooking processes. Heating and air-conditioning of residential areas , and hot water.

Approximately half of the heat generated by gas stove flames dissipates into the surrounding area. In contrast, electric stoves can achieve efficiencies as high as 80 percent. Among these, induction cooktops lead the way with an efficiency rate of up to 90 percent, largely due to their ability to direct heating solely at the point of contact between the pan and the cooking surface.

Simply having a gas stove present in a home leads to an increase in greenhouse gases, even when it remains off.

Jackson’s group discovered that gas stoves release methane — the primary component of natural gas — can escape when appliances are turned off due to loose fittings and at connection points between the stove and the wall.

The climate effect of faulty stoves in American residences was found to be similar to the carbon emissions produced by approximately 500,000 vehicles fueled by gasoline.

The latest electric stoves come with a hefty price tag – and it takes some time to adapt to them.

The early buyers of Copper stoves depend on governmental incentives to offset their high cost. For instance, when Yaker, who works as a teacher, purchased one, a federal tax incentive for eco-friendly devices reduced the price from $6,000 (€5,722) to $4,200 (€4,005).

Buying the stoves in large quantities also results in significant cost savings. The manufacturer has a deal with them. New York City The Housing Authority plans to purchase 10,000 stoves with a maximum cost of $3,200 (€3,052) per unit, scheduled for delivery in 2026. Meanwhile, a nonprofit organization focused on developing affordable housing will also be involved. California has also upgraded an apartment building by installing the stoves.

"It’s really neat; it looks great and is simple to keep clean," remarked Jolene Cardoza. When her grown-up daughter came over to cook, her old gas stove used to aggravate her asthma condition. She’s pleased that the new electric stove does not emit pollutants .

Nonetheless, some residents have encountered a bumpier adjustment period when switching to induction cooking.

Monica Moore expressed dissatisfaction with how her food is cooked in the oven, noting that her cornbread has a different texture than usual. Although she appreciates the rapid boiling of water, she laments the lack of a traditional open flame for cooking. Additionally, she found it inconvenient to use pots and pans specifically designed for induction cooktops instead of her regular ones.

For Jackson, however, moving away from gas is crucial:

I believe turning off the gas supply to our houses and converting to electric power for our households is one of the most effective individual actions we can take to decrease our personal carbon footprint. greenhouse gas emissions I believe that when it comes to decreasing our greenhouse gas emissions, we should begin with automobiles and residences.