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Some cooks have a bad habit of turning the burner up all the way anytime they need to heat something. Instead, try to only use as much heat as necessary to reheat or cook your food through. Anything beyond the minimal required temperature will be a waste. Water, for example, boils at 212F (100C). Once it's boiling, leaving the cooktop on full blast won't make it any hotterit will only use up more gas. When cooking from a recipe, always follow the instructions to a T. Most recipes specify what level of heat to use ("low," "medium," "medium-high," "high," etc.). If you can see the flames licking the sides of the pan, it means the stove is turned up too high. Lower the temperature until the flames are confined to the bottom surface of the pan. Otherwise, their heat will escape into the surrounding environment. For best results, only use flat-bottomed cookware. With these pieces, the entire heating surface will remain in contact with the flames at all times. If your stove has multiple burners of different sizes, choose a burner that's smaller than the pot or pan you're using to ensure that it's not putting off excess heat. To clean your burners, first make sure they're off and cool to the touch. Then, remove the protective grates and wipe away any lingering debris with a damp paper towel. Finally, scrub the area around the burners with soapy water until they're completely free of residue. The flames emitted by your gas stove should burn a bright blue color. Yellow or orange flames could be a sign of incomplete combustion, which means that the gas in the lines isn't being used to its full potential. If cleaning the burners doesn't solve the problem, call a repairman to come take a look at it and replace it if necessary. A weak burner isn't just irritating, it's actually dangerousincomplete combustion can result in the release of hazardous carbon monoxide gas. Pay close attention to strange smells or faint hissing sounds originating from around your stove. These symptoms could indicate a leak. If your stove has a faulty gas line, you'll be losing gas even when you're not cooking. The simplest way to test for a leak yourself is to pull out the stove enough to access to the gas line and brush the fittings with soapy water using a cotton swab. If one of them begins to bubble, you've got a leak on your hands. Leaks should be dealt with immediately, as they can pose a serious safety risk.
Reduce the heat as much as possible. Make sure the pot or pan is covering the flames completely. Keep your stove's burners clean to ensure that they're working properly. Check for potential leaks.