We found a really nice new gas stove this weekend (one with NO electronic stuff on it!) Husband is running the pipe from our propane tank (we already have a five brick propane heater and husband is a handyman who has propane tools and checks for leaks stuff)....any way, we should have the stove delivered close to the end of next week.

It has been nearly 30 years since I've cooked on a gas/propane stove. Any suggestions? I think I'm going to love it!!!!

-- Suzy in Bama (slgt@yahoo.com), September 30, 2001

Answers

Hi Suzy......I sure love to cook with propane because you can really control the fire. When I first started using it I tended to have the fire to high. You really want to see just blue tones. I find that I can cook things on quite a low temperature once I get it warmed up. I love it that I can cook even if the power goes out. I was amazed when we were without power for 10 days a couple of years ago that all my neighbors except the Amish couldn't cook because they had electric stoves.

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), September 30, 2001.

Hi Suzy, If your kitchen is drafty (like mine is) and your honey is handy (like mine isn't) you might want to make a 'draft guard' to keep a low flame from blowing out. My son (who IS handy) made one from scrap copper it's just a 3 inch high collar with 'feet' to keep it stable about the same size as the stove that I set on the top. The height is perfect to allow me to fuss with the pots while keeping the drafts from blowing the flame out...now to deal with the drafts.....another story!

-- Kathy (catfish201@hotmail.com), September 30, 2001.

Drafts oh no , winter is coming chaulk and insulate now ! I am doing this in the kitchen now cause I'm tired of freezing my butt off .

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), September 30, 2001.

Yes keep the flame low, cooking on propane is a bit slower to start up so the heaviest cookwear is best. If you do not have cast iron, now is the time to start. There was a post about someone being new to propane about 5 or so days ago that has good info on the subject.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), October 01, 2001.

I really like cooking with propane gas. We have a very old 1920's model ..light with a match and all....and it works fine. Thanks to a Countryside friend I was able to keep it running when the gas company condemed mine a while back...but I'm safe for a while anyways. I like how you can control the heat better than electric and like you said no electronic stuff to worry about if the electric goes out. You made a great choice...Good Luck and Enjoy !!

-- Helena (windyacs@ptdprolog.net), October 01, 2001.

After many years of burning stuff on the electric stove, I am getting a countertop gas unit. Will be coming this week and I can hardly wait. I use an antique 3 burner Caloric gas stove for canning but it is not practical for everyday use. Mary in Virginia

-- Mary Zastowny (foxpawz@gamewood.net), October 01, 2001.

Really love my propane stove, Suzy!!! Just keep the flame within an inch or inch and a half of inside the outer egde of your pot or pan on the burner, any farther out, and you just waste fuel heating the air in your kitchen.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), October 01, 2001.

thanks for the hints so far! I cook mostly with cast iron so I should be o.k. there.

-- Suzy in Bama (slgt@yahoo.com), October 02, 2001.