With LPG supply disruptions continuing in Bengaluru, many households are becoming more conscious about how efficiently they use cooking gas. While the current situation has made fuel conservation urgent, mindful kitchen practices are always useful — helping reduce wastage, lower household costs, and make cooking more energy-efficient. Health coach and author Dr Nandita Iyer says just three simple practices — using a pressure cooker, soaking ingredients, and cooking with a closed lid — can reduce kitchen fuel use by nearly 30%. Here are her top 10 tips to cut your gas bill.1. Use pressure cookerPressure cooking is one of the most efficient ways to cook. It can reduce cooking time by 30–70%, especially for foods like: Dal Beans and legumes Potatoes Meat2. Soak pulses, beans and riceSoaked ingredients can cook 30–50% faster, saving both time and fuel. Recommended soaking times: Rajma / chana: 8–10 hours Dal: 30–60 minutes Rice: 20–30 minutes3. Use right burner sizeMost Indian gas stoves have different burner sizes. Use them strategically: Small burner: Tea, tadka, reheating Large burner: Boiling water, pressure cookingUsing large burner for small vessels wastes gas. Also ensure the flame does not extend beyond the circumference of the pan.4. Always cook with a lidThis simple habit can reduce fuel consumption by 20–25%. It… Retains heat Reduces evaporation Speeds up cooking5. Cut vegetables into smaller piecesThey cook faster because: They have more surface area Heat penetrates them more quicklyFor example, diced potatoes cook faster than large chunks6. Cook multiple items togetherUse stacking in a pressure cooker to cook several dishes at once. Example: Dal at the bottom Rice in vessel above Vegetables in small bowl on topEven in smaller cookers, you can cook vegetable directly in the cooker and place another in a small cup above it.7. Keep burners cleanBlocked burner holes lead to inefficient combustion. Clean burners every few weeks to ensure: Steady blue flame Faster heating Lower LPG useYellow flame indicates incomplete combustion, which wastes fuel.8. Use residual heatMany foods continue cooking even after the flame is turned off. So, switching off gas 2–3 minutes earlier can help save fuel. Examples include: Rice or khichdi Pasta Boiled vegetables Dal after pressure cooking9. Use heavy, flat-bottomed cookwareHeavy-bottom cookware distributes heat more evenly and cooks food faster. Recommended materials: Stainless steel with thick base Triply steel Cast iron (for slow cooking)Thin vessels lose heat easily and can increase fuel usage10. Cook smarterAdopt a few efficient cooking habits: Use electric kettle to boil water for tea, pasta, blanching vegetables or adding to pressure cooker. It is often more energy-efficient than LPG for heating water Batch-cook rice, dal, beans or potatoes for 2–3 meals at once and refrigerate the extra portionsThis way, the same fuel consumption yields multiple meals, making cooking more efficient
