Are Gas Stoves Unsafe? Here's What to Know About the Gas vs. Induction Debate

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

On Monday, US Consumer Product Safety Commissioner Richard Trumka Jr. told Bloomberg that the federal agency would consider a nationwide ban on the installation of new gas stoves—or at least, a new set of standards intended to regulate their toxic fumes, such as the mandatory installation of high efficiency exhaust vents in home and restaurant kitchens. “Any option is on the table,” Trumka said. “Products that can’t be made safe can be banned.”

Following mass outrage over the news, Consumer Product Safety Commision (CPSC) chair Alex Hoehn-Saric released a statement on Twitter on Wednesday clarifying the claims of his colleague. “To be clear, I am not looking to ban gas stoves and the CPSC has no proceeding to do so,” he wrote. “CPSC is researching gas emissions in stoves and exploring new ways to address health risks.”

This isn't the first time gas stoves have caused controversy. Cities such as Los Angeles, Seattle, and New York have already outlawed them in certain residences. Earlier this month, New York Governor Kathy Hochul proposed an end to gas hookups in all new buildings in the state. But at least 20 other state governments, including those in Utah, Ohio, and Iowa, have passed laws to prevent cities implementing natural gas bans—moves now at odds with the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) concerns.

What’s the health and environmental impact of gas stoves?

For decades, scientists and activists have sought to expose the harmful effects of gas stoves, which are currently used in about 40% of US homes and almost 80% of restaurants. When they’re firing, gas stoves release nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde in amounts that would violate the outdoor air quality standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency. Even when they’re not actively in use, gas stoves continue to leak methane, a greenhouse gas that’s considered more potent than carbon dioxide, though it doesn’t hang around in the atmosphere for nearly as long.

https://www.bonappetit.com/story/gas-stove-ban

[Chainfire]

1. Stoves with automatic ignition don't leak methane when not in use.

If you run the exhaust fan, like you are supposed to, then there is no significant buildup of toxic gasses in the home either. Do they still make home appliances with standing pilot lights? I will give up my gas stove when they pry my cold dead fingers from it!

[jimfields33]

4. Well climate change must be priority

Can you imagine how better our world would be if 40 percent would change to electric like car owners are going to be forced to. Just those two small changes could change everything!

[Chainfire]

14. I could also improve climate change by cutting out eating altogether.

The electricity that I would use to replace my gas stove comes from a power plant, 40 miles away that uses natural gas for fuel. It is the same freaking source! It is easier, from a political standpoint, to go after a home range than after a diesel truck.

[DenaliDemocrat]

15. Diesel fuel is far less toxic than methane

It looks bad because of incomplete combustion but it’s a longer chain molecule thus less toxic

[senseandsensibility]

2. How difficult is it to change from a gas stove to an

electric one? I'd like to do it, but I don't know what it entails.

[cally]

3. I think it depends on whether you have 220 volt

Near where the stove is. Also, electric is less expensive than induction stoves but don’t provide many of the benefits of induction cooking.

I would like to change but just starting to consider costs and whether I can easily do it.

[jmowreader]

5. Look behind your range.

The difficulty could be anything from "super easy" to "really expensive."

If you already have a range outlet back there - a lot of homes have both services - then the process is to pull out the range, turn off the gas, disconnect the old range, cap off the gas pipe, plug in the new range and slide it into place. You will need to go to your breaker box and turn on the breaker for your range - it's really easy to tell which one it is because a range is the only household appliance that runs on a 50-amp double-pole breaker.

If there isn't a range outlet, this gets expensive quick. Someone who isn't you is going to have to install a double-pole 50-amp breaker in your load center then run a 6/3WG cable from the panel to the kitchen and then install a range outlet there. If you're buying the range at Home Depot, Lowe's or Best Buy there is a very good possibility the electrical work will cost more than the range.

[senseandsensibility]

6. Thank you so much.

Unfortunately, I am a TOTAL home improvement dummy, and although you went into a lot of detail (I appreciate it) it is still over my head. What I do know is that when our house was built over 20 years ago it was advertised as having a gas kitchen and we have never had anything but a gas stove. If you could tell me exactly what the range outlet looks like that might help. I assume you mean an electrical outlet that we are not using now because we have gas. Sorry to be so dense.

[Chellee]

8. I think it's one of those giant plugs,

like for the dryer, where the prong holes make sort of a circle. If it was advertised as having gas, I'll bet it doesn't have an electric plug. Mine doesn't.

[senseandsensibility]

13. Thanks.

We don't have it either.

[jmowreader]

9. It will look like one of two things

Three-wire outlet:



Four-wire outlet:



It could also be set into the wall. Basically, it's a huge receptacle that looks nothing like a regular outlet.

[senseandsensibility]

12. Thanks.

Very helpful. We don't have it.

[hunter]

7. If I was Emperor of the Earth I'd ban all fossil fuels.

How you all would deal with that is your problem. I'd be sitting pretty in my Space Fortress.

Just a thought experiment...

[Kaleva]

10. I don't think this applies to LP gas stoves

A number of articles I've read about this mentioned natural gas stoves but none mentioned LP gas stoves.

[maxsolomon]

11. What is creating the risk? Leaks & poor ventilation.

OLD gas stoves with pilot lights. I used to have my grandmother's gas stove from the 40s, I think. The apartment was so old (1860s) it didn't have a kitchen fan.

That's a bad combination, only alleviated by the single-pane drafty windows.

If you have a modern gas stove and a real range hood that vents to the exterior, you're probably fine.

Regardless, NEW gas hookups are basically thumbing your nose at the Earth. Induction is great, and yes, I know you need new cookware. I've been buying it for 4 years.