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Let’s be real for a moment – life is getting more expensive by the day. Electricity is unreliable because of load shedding. Firewood prices have gone up. Paraffin? Still smelly and risky. Everyone is trying to find smarter, safer, and more affordable ways to keep the household running.
That’s why many people across South Africa, from townships to villages to suburbs, are choosing LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) as their main energy source for cooking; and even for heating water or space during winter.
If you’ve been wondering whether gas is really better than firewood or paraffin, keep reading. You might be surprised by how much easier your life could be.
Firewood Isn’t as Cheap as It Used to Be
People often say, “But firewood is free.” That might’ve been true 10 years ago. But nowadays, most people have to buy firewood or walk far distances to find it. And even if you still collect it for free, it costs you time, energy, and sometimes even your health. Wet wood? It won’t burn well. And when it does burn, the smoke fills your home, blackens your pots and walls, and causes lung problems over time. LPG, on the other hand, gives you a clean flame; no smoke, no soot, and no heavy lifting. It’s just a turn of a knob and you’re cooking.
LPG Is Reliable – Even During Load Shedding
During load shedding, when the power is gone, so is the stove, the kettle, and the microwave. That’s when you see people struggling to make even a simple cup of tea. But with LPG, you’re sorted 24/7, no matter what stage of load shedding it is. You don’t need to rely on electricity to cook dinner, boil water, or warm up food. Gas doesn’t get affected by load shedding, so you’re always in control of your kitchen.
It Saves Time and Cooks Fast
I’ve had many consumers tell me the same thing after switching: “Gas saves me so much time!” Whether it’s boiling water for maize meal, making tea, or cooking a full Sunday lunch; LPG cooks faster than both firewood and paraffin. And when you’re done, you don’t need to wait for coals to cool down or clean ashes. You just close the gas, and you’re done. Simple and efficient.
It’s Cleaner for Your Home and Your Health
Let’s not forget how dirty firewood can get. The black soot on your pots, smoke on your curtains and walls, and even that smell that sticks to your clothes after cooking. With LPG, your home stays clean. Your pots keep their shine. You don’t need to repaint your walls every year. And most importantly, you’re not breathing in toxic smoke every day. This is especially important if you’ve got children, elders, or anyone with asthma in the home.
It’s Better for the Environment
Every time trees are cut down for firewood, we lose part of our natural environment. Over time, this leads to deforestation, soil erosion, and water shortages. LPG is more environmentally friendly, it burns clean and helps reduce the need to chop down trees; By switching to gas, you’re making a greener choice, and protecting our country’s future resources.
It Saves Money in the Long Run
From my experience, investing in a 9 kg LPG cylinder is a wise long-term decision. Although the initial refill might feel like a splurge, it typically lasts 3 to 6 weeks in an average household, which works out to under R10 per day. That’s far less than what you’d spend on firewood, paraffin, matches, and the extra cleaning and maintenance involved. Plus, you eliminate the stress of scrambling for firelighters, resorting to takeaways during load shedding, or replacing cookware damaged by soot. For me, LPG is not just convenient; it truly delivers excellent value for money.
It’s Safer (When Used Properly)
Yes, like any fuel, LPG must be handled responsibly. But with a proper gas regulator, quality hose, and following the safety steps (which your gas supplier should always explain), LPG is extremely safe. In fact, compared to open flames from firewood or candles, gas is less likely to cause house fires, especially in confined spaces or shacks where fires spread quickly.
People are switching to LPG for good reasons. It’s faster, cleaner, safer, and—over time—cheaper. It keeps you going when the lights are off. It gives you back time, saves your pots, protects your health, and helps the environment.