Cooking stoves

Cooking stoves

Cooking stoves are classified according to the type of energy source used. Energy sources used include fire-wood, kerosene, charcoal, gas and electricity. Cooking stoves are important because they are used for cooking food and boiling water. For example, when you have flour, water and sugar you cannot get porridge without a cooking stove. Our communities use different types of stoves for cooking depending on the availability and cost of energy sources.

Types of cooking stoves commonly used in our communities

Most stoves in Tanzanian communities use firewood and charcoal as source of energy. However, excessive use of firewood and charcoal requires cutting trees which results into environmental degradation. The use of charcoal and firewood produces smoke that leads to indoor air pollution. Other stoves use kerosene, gas or electricity.

These stoves reduce environmental pollution but their sources of energy are more expensive.

1. Kerosene stove A kerosene stove uses kerosene as a source of energy to produce flame. There are two types of kerosene stoves. The first uses a wick and the second uses pressure.

   

2. Charcoal stove There are two types of stoves that use charcoal as a source of energy. These are metal and clay stoves. The stoves made from clay use less charcoal than those made from metal. This is so because stoves made of clay preserve more heat compared to those made from metal, which have more heat loses. Therefore, stoves made of clay have more heat available for cooking food than metal stoves.

   

3. Gas stove A gas stove uses gas as a source of energy. Some of the gas stoves have an oven which is used for baking and grilling. The gas that is used in a gas stove is stored in a gas storage tank known as a gas cylinder. When a stove is lit, gas burns and produces flames used for cooking.

   

4. Electric stove An electric stove is a heating device which uses electricity to produce heat for cooking. Electric stoves are of different types; some stoves have ovens and others do not.

   

General safety precautions when cooking

1. Use pot holders to handle hot pans or pots to prevent burning.
2. Do not let children cook without adult supervision.
3. Avoid loose clothes or leaving kitchen towels near hot areas. They can catch fire.
4. Do not use metal spoons to stir food while cooking. Metal spoons heat up quickly and can burn your hands.
5. Always wear shoes when cooking using an electric stove.
6. Prepare all food ingredients before turning ON the stove.
7. Do not leave food on a turned ON stove when you are not in.
8. Turn off the electric switch after using an electric stove.
9. Turn off the gas supply when you finish using the gas stove.