Gas stove
Gas stoves became more common when the oven was integrated into the base and the size was reduced to better fit in with the rest of the kitchen furniture.
Most modern gas stoves have electronic ignition, automatic timers for the oven and extractor hoods to remove fumes.
[5] They also expose users to pollutants, such as nitrogen dioxide, which can trigger respiratory diseases,[6] and have shown an increase in the rates of asthma in children.
[12] About 80% of methane emissions were found to occur even when stoves are turned off, as the result of tiny leaks in gas lines and fittings.
[15] The first gas stove was developed in 1802 by Zachäus Winzler (de), but this along with other attempts remained isolated experiments.
An important figure in the early acceptance of this new technology, was Alexis Soyer, the renowned chef at the Reform Club in London.
By the early 1920s, gas stoves with enameled porcelain finishes for easier cleaning had become widely available, along with heavy use of insulation for fuel-efficiency.
[19] In the 1960s the American Gas Association ran a $1.3 million dollar advertising campaign called "Operation Attack" to promote gas stoves while also downplaying science showing their health risks, mirroring the tobacco industry playbook of creating uncertainty.
A small spark, such as an arc from a light switch being turned on, could ignite the gas, triggering a violent explosion.
The sparks are initiated by turning the gas burner knob to a position typically labeled "LITE" or by pressing the 'ignition' button.
[1] Some high-end cooktop models provide higher range of heat and heavy-duty burners that can go up to 6 kilowatts (20,000 BTU/h) or even more.
These may be desired for preparing large quantities or special types of food and enable certain advanced cooking techniques.
LCD displays and some other complex cooking routines are some of the standard features present in most of the basic and high-end manufacturing models.
Japan, South Korea and China have regulated the addition of electronic safety devices to prevent pan overheating.
The devices use a thermistor to monitor the temperature close to the pan, and cut off the gas supply if the heat is too high.
[38] A 2020 Lancet systematic review surveyed 31 studies on gas cooking or heating, finding a pooled risk ratio of 1.17 for asthma.
[39] One study found that in households with gas stoves those that report using ventilation had lower rates of asthma than those that did not.
[40] A 2023 meta-analysis estimated that in the United States, one in eight cases of asthma in children are due to pollution from gas stoves.
[44] A 2020 RMI report found pollution from gas stoves causes exacerbation of asthma symptoms in children.
Among all gas appliances, the stove is unique in that the byproducts of combustion are emitted directly into home air with no requirement for venting the exhaust outdoors.
[13] Cooking, especially high heat frying, releases smoke (measured as fine particulate matter), acrolein and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
[46] The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is investigating reducing the health effects of gas stoves, including emissions and ventilation standards.
[47][48] A 2023 study found benzene, a known carcinogen, accumulated in homes to unhealthy levels when natural gas or propane stoves were used, especially when vent hoods were not used.
[1] A 2002 study of pipelines in Boston found that natural gas contains non-methane impurities including heptane, hexane, cyclohexane, benzene and toluene.
[12] About 80% of methane emissions occur when stoves are turned off, as the result of leaks in gas lines and fittings.
[59][14] Some places, such as the Australian Capital Territory and New York State, have curtailed installation of gas stoves and appliances in new construction, for reasons of health, indoor air quality, and climate protection.
