In a recent survey, an astonishing 96 percent of professional chefs said their preferred cooking fuel was gas. If you poke your head into almost any professional kitchen, you’ll see rows of gas flames. At Sierra Propane, we can attest that New Mexico and Arizona homeowners love the propane gas stoves and propane-powered off-grid kitchen appliances we sell.
Propane ranges offer energy efficiency, superior temperature control and quicker cooking times. So why are lawmakers in New York, California and other states talking about banning gas stoves?
The debate surrounding gas ranges involves their effect on air quality in the home. Some studies have claimed that gas stoves have a negative impact on the air we breathe. For example, a December 2022 study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health concluded that “12.7% of current childhood asthma nationwide is attributed to gas stove use.”
These concerns about respiratory issues are significant, but they aren’t as cut-and-dry as some claim.
While we often see the term “gas stoves” in this debate, the studies in question primarily focus on natural gas stoves, not propane. A January 2022 Stanford study found of natural gas stoves, “In addition to methane emissions, co-emitted health-damaging air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) are released into home air and can trigger respiratory diseases.”
Propane contains no methane, which is the primary component of natural gas. Similarly, studies dealing with nitrogen oxides, 2016 study at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, concern natural gas appliances, not propane.
There’s also discussion about particulate matter, the microscopic solids or liquid droplets so small that they can be inhaled and cause health problems. But all cooking produces particulate matter, regardless of whether it involves natural gas, propane, wood or electricity.
Indeed, considerable research refutes the claim that gas cooking is bad for respiratory health. For example, a Lancet Respiratory Medicine abstract found “no evidence of an association between the use of gas as a cooking fuel and either asthma symptoms or asthma diagnosis.”
The most important thing you can do to prevent poor air quality near your stove is to ensure good ventilation, whether a high-quality hood and fan or an open window. Dr. Ravi Kalhan of Northwestern University suggested in the New York Times article that an air purifier with a HEPA filter can effectively lower the level of nitrogen oxides.
If you’re looking for a way to elevate your home kitchen in Cibola, Catron or Socorro County in New Mexico, or Navajo or Apache County in Arizona, Sierra Propane is here to help. We sell a variety of top-quality propane products for your home and outdoor spaces. Our professional technicians will work with you to find the right product and get it installed promptly and safely.
Reach out to Sierra Propane to begin exploring your gas-fired appliance choices.