LPG Crisis: What Are the Cooking Alternatives?

The US-Israel-Iran conflict has disrupted the supply chain of the LPG in India so much so that dozens of restaurants and dhabas have downed their shutters and numerous households are waiting days for the LPG refills.

The Strait of Hormuz, which is the major energy shipping channel, is choked due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East region. With not many facilities for stockpiling of LPG in the country and  demand for cylinders increasing exponentially in the last decade due to Central welfare schemes, there is significant stress on LPG supply chain in the last one week.

According to the International Energy Agency, India has LPG storage caverns in Mangaluru and Visakhapatnam with a combined capacity of about 1.4 lakh tonnes. Considering that India consumes roughly 85,000 to 90,000 tonnes of LPG per day, this underground storage would be enough for around one and a half to two days of national consumption.

However, this figure refers only to underground cavern storage and does not represent the total LPG available in the country, as additional quantities are stored in above ground facilities at refineries, terminals, and bottling plants, along with continuous domestic production and imports.

The best alternatives in the current crisis scenario are:

1. Induction cooktops are the most popular alternative for cooking in households. According to reports, there is a 30x surge in the sales of induction stoves following the Middle East war. Vessels get heated and cooking is done due to electromagnetism.

2. Electric rice cookers also come handy to cook rice, dal and some stews. By cooking rice and dal in the electric rice, consumption of LPG can be reduced to a considerable extent.

3. To boil water, eggs and noodles, electric kettles can be used. Tea also can be made in the electric kettles.

4. Biogas can also be used by households having access to biogas plants, which use kitchen waste and dung to produce methane for cooking.

5. Solar cookers work both on solar and auxiliary energy, becoming the best option for cooking without fuel.

6. Another alternate source to reduce LPG consumption are microwave ovens and air fryers which offer oil-free cooking. These are also effective in reheating.

7. The demand for LPG can also be reduced  by opting for alternative fossil fuels like kerosene and coal.

8. In addition to the above, the traditional firewood is a major source of fuel in the rural areas.

The big question is would the consumers shift to alternate sources of fuel having enjoyed the convenience of LPG for decades.