Cooking on gas, electrical or ceramic?

Cooking on gas, electrical or ceramic?

Recommendation 139
Depending on the person, making a choice for cooking on gas, through induction (electrical) or ceramic

Chapter (theme)
installations and appliances (kitchens)

Because of
Insight into cause and effect, executive functioning, Central coherence, sensory sensibility, motor awkwardness

In order to
improve the possibilities for independent meal preparation.

Elaboration
As explained in the theme ‘kitchens’, this space poses exceptionally high demands on many senses and also on bodily and cognitive functioning. Those with autism who respond well to these challenges are richly rewarded, those who don’t will experience considerable disadvantages in daily life because of it. For these reasons it is crucial that optimal conditions are created through building, interior design and the choice and use of machinery such as cookers and ovens which are at issue here.

The rule of thumb is ‘cook on gas, unless…’. So, if possible, the advice is to cook on gas. For one, it’s the most common way of cooking, so most houses are equipped with gas stoves. One who lives independently will almost always have sufficient understanding of cause-and-effect relationships. In the rare cases in which this is a problem, there is an extra argument in favor of gas because the visibility of a gas flame under a pan helps to see this connection. When cooking electrically or ceramically there is a larger time-lapse between regulation and effect.

The counter-arguments against gas will only rarely apply to those living independently. We mention them just to make sure because they have to do with safety. Working with open fire can only be done safely if there is sufficient understanding of the dangers (mainly a matter of intelligence), sufficient concentration and the motor awkwardness (bumping and falling) is not too great. Another danger is an open gas valve without a flame. This threat can be countered through the implementation of an automatic coupling of extraction and furnace and/or a gas leak valve.
When cooking electrically (through induction), there is no fire hazard, but overboiling and dry boiling are possible. On the other hand one cannot burn oneself on an induction plate, while one can on a ceramic one. So, if one decides against gas, the alternative needs deliberation.

In conclusion cooking on gas is advisable while among those living independently only a few will have too much cognitive and/or bodily limitations to make this too dangerous.

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