Cooking

About 45% of India’s primary energy use is attributed to the residential consumption and cooking forms a major part of it.

Simple tips for energy conservation during cooking

• Use energy efficient chulas.
• Keep the vessels closed with a lid while cooking to reduce cooking time and energy use.
• Soak the food ahead of cooking.
• Dry grinding of food in mixers and grinders takes longer time than wet grinding.
• Microwave ovens consume 50 % less energy than conventional electric / gas stoves.
• Electric stoves can be turned off several minutes before the specified cooking time.
• Flat-bottomed pans that make full contact with the cooking coil reduce loss of heat.
• Pressure cookers should be used as much as possible
• Refrigerated items like vegetables, milk, meat etc should be brought to room temperature before heating / cooking.

General operational tips for use of LPG cylinders

1. Disconnecting the empty cylinder

• Put out all the flames and fires including incense sticks, candle, pooja lamp in the kitchen and adjoining rooms
• Close all the taps on the cooking stove
• Turn the switch knob of the regulator from ON position to OFF position
• Grip the regulator and pull the bush (black plastic locking ring) up and lift the regulator by giving a gentle swivel. Regulator will thus get detached from the valve on the cylinder
• Place the plastic safety cap on the valve of the cylinder. Press the cap firmly down until a distinct click is heard. Now the empty cylinder can be removed

2. Connecting the filled Cylinder

• To remove the safety cap, press it down, PULL the cord and keeping it pulled, LIFT the cap off the valve of the cylinder.
• Check whether sealing ring is in place inside the cylinder valve by feeling the same with the help of your little finger. Do not use the cylinder if the ring is missing, put back the safety cap and contact your distributor for replacement of cylinder.
• To mount the regulator on the filled cylinder, carry out the following steps:
• Ensure the switch knob of the regulator is in the OFF position
• Grip the regulator and pull up the plastic blush
• Place the regulator vertically on the valve and press it down till its edge touches the hexagon of the valve on the cylinder with a gentle swivel. Release the black plastic bush and then press it down.(you may hear click sound)
• The pressure regulator is now locked on the cylinder.

3. To light the burners

• Turn the switch knob of the regulator anti - clockwise till it is in ON position.
• Hold a lighted matchstick near the burner head of the stove and turn the knob of the stove to ON position

4. Others

• Do not wear nylon garments or similar fabric when cooking
• Never leave the cooking appliance unattended when in use
• Never try to Repair, Adjust or Inspect any part of the Gas Installation or allow fake mechanics to do so.
• Never leave the regulator in ON position after cooking is over or during night
• Always smell for leakage of LPG before lighting the stove
• Keep the kitchen clean as far as practicable to avoid rats, cockroaches etc.

General safety tips for LPG consumers

1. Points to remember about the rubber tubing and the pressure regulator

• It must be of approved quality, (ISI / BIS mark).
• Obtain BIS approved rubber tubes and LPG regulators from authorized distributors only.
• It should be as short as possible. Maximum length should be about 1.5 meters.
• Ensure that the nozzle of your appliance is of the same dimensions as the nozzle of your regulator and rubber tubing of the correct bore is used. Your dealer will advise you of the dimensions
• It should be easily accessible for inspection.
• Keep it away from heat and fire.
• Push it so as to cover the full length of the nozzle of the stove and the regulator.
• Make sure it does not get heated by the burner, or is looped/twisted.
• Clean it with wet cloth only. Don't use soap to ease the tube over the nozzle.
• Check it regularly for cracks, holes, softness, and porosity especially at the ends.
• Replace tubing every 2 years if not earlier.
• Do not cover rubber tubing by any other object or sleeve.

The Pressure Regulator is very important too. It is connected to the outlet of the cylinder valve. Its function is to regulate the pressure of the gas coming out of the cylinder and supply it at a constant pressure to the hot plate.

2. Things to remember while receiving gas cylinders

• Check the cylinder has been delivered with the company seal and safety cap intact
• If you are not sure about usage, please ask the delivery person for a demonstration
• Cylinders must be installed at ground level on a level surface

3. Things to remember before usage of the gas cylinders

• Check to see that rubber ‘O’ ring inside the cylinder valve is present
• Check for any visible signs of leakage − through visual inspection, soap solution or smell
• Never use lighted match-sticks for checking leaks
• Always keep the cylinder in upright position at ground level at a well ventilated place
• Do not install the LPG cylinder in the cabinet
• The LPG stove must always be installed on kitchen slab at height above the cylinder
• The cylinder must be kept away from other sources of heat

4. Things to do after usage of the gas cylinders

• Close the regulator knob to ‘OFF’ position when cylinder is not in use
• The empty cylinders must be stored in a cool and well ventilated place with safety cap put ON

5. Actions to be taken if one smells gas?

LPG in gaseous form is colourless and also odourless. So a special odour is added to it, to give it a distinctive smell for easy detection in case of leakage. Its smell is detectable in air at concentrations down to 1/5th of the lower explosive limit.

If the smell of gas is felt,

• Do not Panic
• Do not operate electrical switches. Isolate main electrical supply from the outside only
• Ensure that stove knobs are in OFF position
• Do not light a matchstick even to detect the leakage of LPG. Extinguish all flames, lamps, incense sticks, etc
• Switch OFF the pressure regulator by turning the knob clockwise to the OFF position.
• Open all doors and windows
• If the smell persists, call your Gas distributor during office hours. For emergencies after office hours or on holidays please call up the nearest Emergency service cell.
• An experienced person can detach the regulator. Fix the safety cap on the valve.

Source : Websites of Oil marketing companies