Where there is smoke, there is Fire. This is a mainstream expression known to gamers. In the event that you are not a gamer, you probably might not relate to this but you are welcome to join the community. The smoke without fire used to be our reality, not so much now.
As humans, eating is a necessity for survival and as the only animals who cook their food before consumption, it is only proper that as we progressed, we find easier and better ways to execute this operation.
History gives account of how the early men in the stone era used friction to generate fire, gradually cooking with firewood became a habit. If you were opportune to be born in a rural environment, cooking with firewood was business as usual. Going into the bushes to fetch firewood was an essential part of preparing meals. In a quest to improve the standard of living and make live comfortable and stress free, technology and innovation brought about the use of stoves with kerosene and even coals . As expected, technology advanced and brought about the use of gas cookers.
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According to Wikipedia, before the advent of gas, cooking stoves relied on solid fuels such as coal or wood. The first gas stones were developed in the 1820’s and a gas stove factory was established in England in 1836.
This new cooking technology has the advantage of being easily adjustable and could be turned off when not in use. The gas stove however , did not become a commercial success until the 1880’s. The first gas stove was developed on 8 March 1802 by Zächaus Winzler. James Sharp patent a gas stove in Nothampton, England in 1826 and opened a gas stove factory in1836.
You can’t discuss the famous Nigerian jollof rice without making reference to firewood. The firewood is believed to add a special aroma and flavour to the dish and you can’t persuade some people to think otherwise. How true is that? Do you think Jollof rice made with firewood tastes better? In any case, I would love to convey a survey on that and discover your reactions.
Up till date, many households still embrace this practice. Regardless of the function , be it naming ceremony, wedding, birthday party or even a burial, firewood is up to the task. The introduction of gas cookers though widely accepted has not been fully embraced. Old women and men have refused to evolve. The mentality of satisfaction with the status quo keeps them from moving forward. We cannot force them, but only educate them on the dangers and risk of this practice.
For the more youthful age, the innovation of gas cooker is a positive one. It has come to simplify the pressure that comes with using the firewood. No more blowing air to the wood to light the flames up or covering the back of pots with a paste made of palm oil, detergent, sand and water to prevent the back from turning black. Using a gas cooker has brought a halt to all these inefficiencies.
The inefficiencies of using firewood cannot be over emphasized. The adverse effect it has on our health is another thing to be concerned about. The smoke which the firewood emits is a major air pollutant. Aside that, residues from them could present grave perils to the human health.
According to the WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION (WHO), this results in some 4.3 million deaths per year from illnesses attributed to household air pollution; with people dying from pneumonia, stroke, heart and lungs diseases . Which is more than the percentage for malaria deaths.
The use of firewood would also require more practice of deforestation. Remember the crisis of climate change and global warming. Reforestation over deforestation. In other to move forward, we need to create awareness on the importance of following technological advancements to our aged parents and grandparents.
• Cooking gas is without hazardous smoke
• It is quick and easy to use
• It is durable and efficient
• It requires low maintenance for both the appliance and cooking utensils
• It gives you more cooking control
• It has an even heat distribution
• It has a quick response mechanism.
On a final note, I will say that using a gas cooker saves you time and makes cooking pleasant. In a couple of discussions, I saw that majority of people fear using gas cookers because they are exceptionally combustible and they dread the harm. Fear is a destroyer of peace and we should understand that nothing comes without a weakness. If properly managed and all safety protocols are adhered to, there is no cause for alarm. Cooking gas is a guarantee for healthy cooking in a cleaner environment. The choice is ours to make. Choose wisely and do not forget to help educate those who are oblivious of these dangers. We can change the mentality.
