Cooking gas has become one of the most convenient and popular ways to prepare meals in most homes. It’s fast, efficient, and cleaner compared to using charcoal or firewood. However, one major problem many households face is that cooking gas finishes too quickly — sometimes much faster than expected.
If you’ve ever filled your gas cylinder only to find it empty again in just a few weeks, you’re not alone. The good news is that there are simple and practical methods you can use to make your cooking gas last much longer — without reducing the quality of your meals.
Let’s look at some effective ways to make your gas last and save money in the process.
1. Use the Right Cooking Pot Size
The size of your cooking pot plays a big role in how much gas you consume. Using a small pot on a large burner wastes heat because much of the flame spreads around the sides of the pot instead of heating the food.
What to Do:
Match the pot size to the burner size — the pot should cover the flame without allowing it to go beyond the edges.
Avoid using pots that are too small or too large for your burner.
Use flat-bottomed pots and pans for better heat distribution.
This small adjustment ensures that all the heat produced by your gas stove is used efficiently, helping your gas last longer.
2. Always Cover Your Pots While Cooking
Cooking with the pot uncovered is one of the fastest ways to waste gas. When the lid is off, a lot of heat escapes into the air instead of staying inside the pot to cook your food.
Why It Matters:
Covering your pot traps heat and steam, allowing your food to cook faster while using less gas. It also helps retain nutrients and flavor.
Tip:
Always keep the lid on, except when you need to stir or check your food.
Use lids that fit tightly to prevent heat from escaping.
You’ll notice your meals cook much faster and your gas will last significantly longer.
3. Reduce the Flame Once the Food Starts Boiling
Many people make the mistake of cooking everything on high flame, thinking it will make food cook faster. In reality, once your food starts boiling, you can reduce the flame to medium or low.
Why This Works:
After reaching boiling point, food continues to cook due to retained heat. A lower flame uses less gas but still keeps the temperature steady enough to cook the food thoroughly.
Example:
When cooking rice, pasta, beans, or soup — start with high heat to bring it to a boil, then reduce it to medium or low heat to finish cooking.
This simple trick can reduce your gas consumption by up to 30%.
4. Avoid Using Wet Pots or Pans
Always make sure your cooking pots and pans are completely dry before placing them on the burner. When you put a wet pot on the flame, the gas first has to dry the water before heating the pot — wasting gas unnecessarily.
Tip:
After washing, wipe your pots dry with a clean towel before cooking.
This is especially important when you’re frying or boiling water, as even small amounts of moisture increase cooking time.
5. Prepare All Ingredients Before Lighting the Gas
Do you ever light your stove and then start cutting onions, tomatoes, or vegetables? That’s a common mistake that wastes a lot of gas.
What to Do Instead:
Always prepare all your ingredients first — chop, slice, wash, and measure everything you’ll need before turning on the burner.
Only light the stove when you’re ready to cook immediately.
By doing this, your gas is used strictly for cooking — not for waiting.
6. Use a Pressure Cooker for Hard Foods
Foods like beans, cowpeas, or tough meats take a long time to cook, which means more gas usage. Using a pressure cooker is one of the best ways to save gas.
Pressure cookers trap steam inside, increasing the cooking temperature and reducing the time needed to cook food by more than half.
Benefits:
Saves both time and gas.
Keeps food tender and full of flavor.
Preserves nutrients better than open-pot cooking.
If you cook foods that normally take long, investing in a pressure cooker is a smart move.
7. Check for Gas Leaks Regularly
Sometimes your gas may finish faster not because of cooking habits, but due to gas leaks. Even a small leak wastes a significant amount of gas over time and can be dangerous.
How to Check:
Mix soap and water and apply it to the gas hose connections.
If you see bubbles forming, that’s a sign of a leak.
Always turn off the gas at the cylinder after cooking.
Also, avoid using old or cracked hoses, and replace faulty regulators immediately. A well-maintained system ensures safety and prevents wastage.
8. Use the Right Burner for the Right Task
Most gas stoves come with different burner sizes — small, medium, and large. Each is designed for a specific type of cooking.
Tip:
Use the small burner for boiling water, making tea, or cooking small meals.
Reserve the large burner for bigger pots or meals that require more heat.
Using a big burner for small pots wastes gas because the flame spreads out instead of concentrating on the pot’s base.
9. Cook in Bulk and Reheat Later
If you have a busy schedule or cook daily, try preparing large portions of food at once. Reheating uses less gas than cooking from scratch every day.
Example:
Cook a large pot of stew, soup, or beans and store portions in the refrigerator. When you need them, reheat only the amount you’ll eat.
This method saves both time and gas while ensuring you always have food ready.
10. Maintain and Clean Your Gas Burner Regularly
A dirty burner can reduce flame efficiency and cause incomplete combustion, which wastes gas.
What to Do:
Clean your burners regularly to remove oil, food residue, or dirt.
Make sure the holes are not blocked — if they are, use a pin or brush to unclog them.
Check that the flame is blue. A yellow or orange flame means your burner is not working efficiently and may be wasting gas.
Proper maintenance keeps your stove working at its best and ensures maximum gas efficiency.
11. Use Flat, Heavy-Bottomed Cookware
Cookware with flat, thick bottoms distributes heat evenly, which means your food cooks faster and more efficiently. Thin pots and pans lose heat quickly, requiring you to use more gas.
Tip:
Choose stainless steel or cast-iron cookware instead of very light aluminum ones.
Ensure the base of the pot fits snugly on the burner.
This simple change can make a big difference in how long your gas lasts.
12. Avoid Frequent Opening of the Oven Door
If you use a gas oven, try not to open the door too often while baking or roasting. Every time you open the oven, hot air escapes, and the gas has to work harder to reheat it — using more gas.
Tip:
Use the oven light to check your food instead of opening the door.
Plan your baking well to minimize temperature loss.
Final Thoughts
Cooking gas doesn’t have to finish faster than expected. By following these simple but powerful methods, you can make your gas last much longer, save money, and cook more efficiently.
To recap:
Use the right pot size and always cover your food while cooking.
Reduce flame after boiling and use pressure cookers for tough foods.
Prepare ingredients before lighting the gas and check for leaks often.
Clean your burners and choose proper cookware.
With these habits, you’ll not only save gas but also enjoy faster, cleaner, and safer cooking every day.
Remember, gas management isn’t about cutting corners — it’s about being smart in the kitchen.
