There’s no doubt that stoves are amazing cooking appliances that offer many benefits. That’s the reason why many chefs prefer using them. They are durable, cost-effective, and cookware friendly. However, many reported accidents are arising from cooking equipment. There’s a need to know how to prevent a stove from blowing up so that you can be safe.
We are going to offer you some tips that will help you prevent gas stove accidents. Before that, let’s find out the things that might trigger gas stove accidents.
What can cause a stove to explode?
Whether you are using a gas stove or kerosene stove, sometimes they might blow up if something wrong happens. Stove accidents can occasionally occur due to various reasons. Below are some common causes that you should note.
Leaking gas
Did you know that a broken leaking gas line can result in the blowing up of your stove? However, before this happens, you might notice some signs showing that everything is not okay. Some of the warning signs include some changes in the environment of your house.
You might smell a stench of rotten eggs around your kitchen. Besides that, you may smell something else around your stove that makes you feel dizzy or nauseous. Leaking gas can be very dangerous because when you switch on the light in that particular area, it will explode.
Besides that, opening a fridge or microwave in a room with leaked gas can also lead to an explosion. This indicates that you need to look for a professional to check you’re your gas line.
The build-up of gas or dirt on the stove
Gas stoves rarely explode. However, that can happen if there’s a build-up of gas in the stove. When you try to light a stove with gas build-up, it will explode. Gas build-up can happen when you pour water in the stove or when your burners develop a build-up of dirt.
You need to keep your gas clean to avoid this. Pellet stove accidents commonly arise from a build-up of ashes. When you use them regularly, you need to get rid of the ashes that build up.
Lack of general maintenance
When using your stove, you need to always check on them to ensure that everything functions well. Otherwise, you may be taken by surprise when an explosion happens. Maintenance involves many things like cleanliness.
Since you always use your stove regularly, food debris may block some parts. Always keep it clean and ensure that all parts function well.
Tips On How To Prevent A Stove From Blowing Up
Sometimes carelessness is the reason for stove explosions in our homes. For example, you may leave the stove on when it’s not in use. You might also turn on the buttons by accident. This causes the room to be filled with gas. As a result, the slightest trigger can cause a fierce explosion.
We have covered some common things that might cause your stove to explode. Now let’s find out how we can avoid these hazards.
It’s mandatory to use the right cooking equipment when dealing with stoves if you are looking for tips on how to prevent a stove from blowing up. It would be great if you ensure that the bottom of your cookware covers the whole flame.
Ensure that the fire doesn’t escape from the bottom of the utensil to its sides. There’s need to choose the right size if utensils.
Besides the size of the cookware, you should also ensure that the material used to make it is non-flammable and also anti-corrosive. Before putting the cookware on top of the stove, ensure that you clean it thoroughly. It’s essential to consider using cookware made from copper.
Preventing gas leaks
We earlier mentioned that gas leaks could cause terrible gas explosions that might take away someone’s life. You can sense that there’s a possible gas leak when you smell rotten eggs or something similar to that in your kitchen.
You need to be alert when using your kitchen and take action when you smell unusual odors. If you are sure that theirs a leaking gas, consider turning off the burners. Don’t attempt to turn them on until you are sure that you have expelled all the leaked gas from your home.
If you still suspect that there might be leaking gas, check the gas cylinder, pipe, and burners’ connection. Sometimes you may not be sure if the leakage issue is resolved. You might want to get an expert to help you sort out this issue.
Install a clock alarm
Are you planning to cook something that may take long hours? Sometimes the best meals are the ones prepared on a slow cooker. You may not be able to spend the entire tie there, monitoring your kitchen. Fortunately, most homes built recently have in-built mechanisms for fire safety.
If your home doesn’t have any, consider having it as it will save you from many hazards. With a smoke alarm, it’s easy to prevent fire hazards before they get out of hand. When you are cooking something in the kitchen, sometimes it may burn longer than it should do.
Immediately when flames start cooking your food, smoke will cause the alarm to alert you. Someone will rush in the kitchen and stop it immediately.
Always keep your stove clean
Stoves are among the things that you use daily because you cook frequently. This means that food debris can fall on top of the burner among other areas. Carelessness in handling your stove can lead to hazards like stove explosion.
You need to clean your stove daily. Take away the heavy grates and burner’s then wash them with soap. Remember also to check the burner’s holes. Sometimes food debris and solidified oil might block them. In this case, consider unblocking them using a toothpick.
Be careful when removing the burners. Don’t remove them immediately after cooking as they may be too hot. Let them cool properly first.
Cook carefully
You must exercise proactive and careful cooking to avoid stove accidents. Ignoring small details while cooking that might lead to stove explosions. Remember always to keep cookware handles to the side; otherwise, they may protrude outside the countertop.
Doing this can save you from the risk of knocking utensils while moving around and spilling hot food randomly.
You may also knock the stove accidentally, which might lead to a fire hazard. You might as well use back burners. Another safety tip in the kitchen is turning off the burners immediately you complete cooking. You should also focus on the flames and never leave the stove unattended while cooking.
Keep away inflammable objects
When preparing some food, you may unknowingly put some flammable objects near the burners. Maybe there might be a plastic tin of rice that you might be using while preparing rice and put it near a burner.
The burner may end up burning the tin or anything else held near it. You might as well place foil wrappings or air-tight containers near the stove. When they catch fire, the stove might explode and hurt you.
It would be great if you stop placing anything flammable near the stove. Only use utensils and cookware on the stove and be careful with other appliances.
Take personal precaution
There are simple precautions that you need to observe while handling a stove to avoid mishaps. Never wear clothes that are made from a material that quickly catches fire when cooking. Your clothes should also not go near the stove.
You might want to avoid long-sleeved shirts or dresses while using your stove. If you are a lady, consider tying your hair as it can catch fire if it’s too long. Keep children away from the kitchen, as for teenagers learning to cook, consider monitoring them.
Choose the right range hood
Gas stoves use propane or gas to ignite flames. Should the fire get in contact with cookware, it produces fumes. The fumes need to be vented outside immediately. This shows that your kitchen should have windows located in strategic places for proper ventilation.
You might also want to install a large chimney that helps in outward ventilation. Otherwise, your kitchen will be filled with smoke and fumes that might be dangerous.
How to prevent a stove from blowing up involves simple practices at home that most people avoid. Always avoid leaving your stove unattended while cooking something. You should as well remember to close the valves of your stove once you finish using your gas.
Don’t forget to check the tightness of your stove’s horses using soap suds. Cleanliness is also an important aspect to avoid the build-up of debris and blockage of the burners of your stove.
If you smell unusual odors, find out if your gas stove has gas leakage.
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Conclusion
We hope the above tips will help you in learning how to prevent a stove from blowing up. What else do you do to ensure that your stove doesn’t blow up? Let us know your ideas in the comment section below.
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