Apparently, we need to talk about gas stoves. So this week’s top 5 Friday is all about that.
1. The background.
Gas stoves debate explodes in Washington
By Arianna Skibell, Politico, Jan 12, 2023
“The brouhaha kicked up after a peer-reviewed study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that 12.7 percent of childhood asthma cases in the United States can be attributed to gas-burning stoves.
….
This much is true, though: Dozens of local governments either have moved or are moving to decrease their carbon footprints by prohibiting natural gas hookups in new buildings, which would bar both gas stoves and furnaces.
Buildings account for 40 percent of planet-warming pollution in the U.S., making the sector a prime target for cuts. And that means the stove wars are unlikely to burn out anytime soon.”
2. This is not new. Here’s an article from Feb 1 of last year.
Gas Stoves Are Worse for Climate and Health Than Previously Thought
Corryn Wetzel, Smithsonian Magazine
“If you live in one of the 40 million American households with a gas stove, it could be leaking even when it’s turned off.
According to a new study from Stanford scientists, many stoves are constantly emitting gasses that can warm the planet and pose serious health risks when inhaled.”
3. Politicians took to the inter webs. And content creators obviously followed. Just watch.
A member of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which regulates dangerous household items, then told Bloomberg that a ban on gas stoves should be on the table.
4. But aside from the climate talk, some are highlighting that this is more inflammatory because of the cultural implications.
Gas or Electric? Talk of a Stove Ban Sparks Debate About Which Cooks Better
By David R Baker and Immanual John Milton, Bloomberg, January 12, 2023
"When it comes to cultural topics that are close to our hearts and stomachs — mine are one and the same — people have some pretty big opinions,” Gruel said.
The issue raises some genuine cultural questions, too. For instance: Can authentic Chinese food be cooked without a flame or a wok? Can an electric stove produce the quick sear essential to certain cuisines?
5. We’ve talked about the options before here at Velocity, so we are once again highlighting Canary Media’s deep dive into the induction cooktop. Our take: we would like to try it!
Video: Cooking without gas? Induction stoves are the future, so we test one out
By Julian Spector, Canary Media, May 2, 2022
