Stressed About LPG Shortage? 9 Kitchen Appliances From Induction To Kettles, To Cook Without Gas
Stressed About LPG Shortage? 9 Kitchen Appliances From Induction To Kettles, To Cook Without Gas
The global crisis surrounding a shortage of natural gas and oil has landed onto Indian shores as well, leaving the home cook slightly out of sorts. A dearth of LPG cylinders has necessitated looking at other appliances that can be used to cook without gas such as an induction stove or induction cooktop, that can make kitchen life smoother and efficient.
A shortage of LPG gas cylinders reaching Indian households amidst global unrest and curtailments on imports of oil and natural gas has put home cooks in quite the quandary. LPG gas cylinders are the backbone of several Indian kitchens, however the current crisis has necessitated swerving towards newer appliances which facilitate efficient no-gas cooking. From induction cooktops to sandwich makers to electric rice cookers, full meals comprising curries and gravies and snacks like pakoras or grilled sandwiches can all be made in appliances that operate without gas.
Household kitchens that are home to an induction cooktop can benefit greatly from this appliance if the scarcity of LPG cylinders should persist. From preparing curries and every day sabzis to boiling milk and making breakfast, an induction can be a multi-purpose, functional appliance. With even heating and good temperature control, an induction makes cooking full meals including rotis, curries and sabzis possible in the absence of gas.
A slight departure from the induction stove, the infrared cooktop can sometimes take longer to heat up and cool down. But the defining feature of this appliance is that it is compatible with versatile cookware including glass, ceramic and aluminium. Making eggs, toast and tossed vegetables is easier on the infrared cooktop. It also facilitates reheating food in a much more efficient manner so it can be used in tandem with other appliances, for cooking without LPGs.
Not only does the functionality of the multipurpose kettle lie in the many heating options it offers, it is also embedded in the portability that this appliance holds. Having multi kettles in the kitchen is useful for cooking various foods such as instant noodles, eggs, soups and rice. A handy multi kettle makes preparing a simple breakfast like boiled eggs and coffee without using the LPG stove a very smooth activity.
If there is one no-gas appliance that makes many grilling and toasting tasks simpler in the house, it is the sandwich maker. Grilled sandwiches, soft-shell tacos, chapati rolls and frankies and wheat roti pizzas can be made with supreme efficiency in this appliance. It is a very useful apparatus to have in the kitchen for making quick snacks or even some clever no-gas meals, alongside an induction cooktop.
From using it for frying tikkis and samosas to turning it into an appliance that makes roasting groundnuts, semolina and other kitchen essentials easier and faster, the presence of an air fryer in a large household cannot be overstated. In fact, amidst this dearth of cylinders, the air fryer can come in handy for performing more elaborate tasks such as roasting, frying and grilling in a faster, hassle-free manner – all the while cutting down excess oil consumption.
A very intelligent appliance to have in an Indian household that typically is home to multiple members, rice cookers can be used with an induction cooktop to prepare no-gas meals. The rice cooker can steam rice to a soft, fluffy perfection as a gravy cooks on the induction. It can also be used to keep soups and curries warm until it is time to sit down to eat. Electric rice cookers are also larger appliances that can often be used for preparing make-ahead dishes in greater quantities consumed for both lunch and dinner. This means, the rice or soup made in advance can be warmed up in the electric cooker itself, without the need to use gas for reheating.
For a long time, Indian kitchens have had OTGs set-up in one corner of the kitchen island, waiting to be used on the rare occasion when cakes, casseroles or other baked dishes are being prepared. However, this current move essentialising no-gas cooking has brought the good old OTG to the fore as a reliable appliance which can bake potatoes, make cakes and breads, grill proteins like paneer or chicken and craft delicious recipes like tikkas and kebabs without using a regular cooktop.
Breakfasts and mid-day meals are made easier with egg boilers that, as the name suggests, produce perfect hard-boiled eggs. The boilers can be stationed in a small corner of the kitchen as they are very compact. Perfect for nuclear families or bachelors, egg boilers are handy in the middle of this crisis as clever appliances that ensure the protein is cooked efficiently and quickly. Put the eggs on toast, add them to salad, toss them in rotis or have them by themselves, hard-boiled eggs can be consumed in multiple ways.
Excellent appliances for those who prefer to make warm, round rotis with a precision that eludes them when rolling dough using the rolling pin, roti makers are now more useful than ever with the existing shortage of LPG cylinders. Traditionally, rotis are made on the induction or on the regular stove, rolled out one by one. However, the roti maker is an electric appliance that cuts down the use of gas substantially. It can be used with an induction cooktop where the former is used to prepare rotis for a warm meal and the latter works as an efficient appliance to make sabzis paired with the staple flatbread.
