We all want to cut down on those energy bills, don’t we? If you’re using LPG around the house or for your business, there are several simple ways to make your gas last longer without compromising the things that make life comfortable. The great thing is, being smart with your gas doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Most of these changes are small — the kind you’ll barely notice after a while. But they make a real difference. Your gas lasts longer, things feel easier, and you’re doing something good for the planet without even trying.
Let’s take a look at a few simple ways you can make your LPG go further. Let’s go through some simple, practical ways to make the most out of your LPG.
In the Kitchen
1. Match Your Pot to Your Burner
You’d be surprised how much heat goes to waste when the pot doesn’t fit the burner. I’ve done it plenty of times — small pan, big flame, and half the heat just goes around the edges. Use the one that fits right and you’ll notice your food cooks quicker without burning through gas.
2. Keep Your Burners Clean
Dirty burners don’t do their job properly. When food spills or grease builds up, the flame turns uneven and starts wasting gas. Giving your stove a quick wipe after you cook keeps the heat even and your gas working harder for you.
3. Use Lids When Cooking
You’ve probably heard this advice from your mum more than once — and she was absolutely right. Putting a lid on traps the heat where it belongs, helping your food cook faster and cutting down on gas use. Simple, but it works.
4. Don’t Overfill Pots with Water
Don’t fill the pot to the top — it just takes forever to boil and wastes gas for nothing. If you’re cooking for a couple of people, half a pot’s plenty. No point heating water you won’t even use.
5. Turn Down the Flame
Once the water’s boiling, don’t leave it blasting. Drop the heat a bit — it’ll still cook just fine, and you won’t chew through your gas so quick.
Around the House
6. Service Your Heater Regularly
Your heater works a lot better when it’s looked after. Dust and lint build up over time and make it strain just to do the same job. A quick service once a year keeps it running smoothly and stops you from wasting gas.
7. Heat Only the Rooms You’re Using
No point heating up the whole house if you’re just in the lounge. Close off the spare rooms and keep the warmth where you need it. You’ll notice the difference next time the bill shows up.
8. Check for Drafts
Take a walk around and check near the windows and doors. If you notice a bit of cold air coming in, stick something over the gap — those rubber strips from Bunnings work fine. It keeps the heat in and is reasonably priced.
9. Set Your Thermostat Wisely
You don’t have to crank the heat all the way up. Drop it a few degrees — you’ll barely notice, but your gas bill will. Around twenty’s usually warm enough. If it still feels cool, just throw on a jumper and you’re sorted.
10. Use Your Hot Water System Efficiently
Hot water chews through gas faster than you’d think. Keep showers short, and if you’ve got a hot tap that drips, get it fixed — it adds up quicker than you’d think. Swapping in a low-flow showerhead helps, too; over time, it saves a heap of gas and water.
Understanding Your Usage
Paying a bit of attention can shave a good chunk off the bill without really changing much.
11. Insulate Your Hot Water System
If the tank’s sitting outside or in the garage, it’s losing heat all the time. Wrap it up with one of those insulation covers — it doesn’t take long to do. It keeps the water warm for longer, so the system isn’t always kicking back on and wasting gas.
12. Choose the Right Appliances
When one of your old appliances gives out, don’t just grab the first replacement you see. Have a quick look at the energy rating — it makes a big difference in the long run. The newer gas models are miles better than the old ones — they use less, run cleaner, and pay themselves off after a bit.
13. Don’t Preheat for Too Long
A lot of us preheat out of habit more than anything else. Unless you’re baking bread or something that really needs it, you don’t have to wait that long. Five minutes is usually enough — no need to waste gas while you’re still getting things ready.
14. Use Your Oven’s Residual Heat
When the food’s nearly there, switch the oven off. It stays warm for ages, so let it finish cooking on that heat instead. Works great for roasts, lasagna, and anything that just needs a few more minutes to finish through.
15. Batch Cook When Possible
If the oven’s already on, toss in a few extra meals. No point heating it again later. Freeze the leftovers — makes life easier and saves a bit of gas, too.
Smart Habits
16. Thaw Food Before Cooking
Frozen food always takes longer. Just pull it out the night before and stick it in the fridge to thaw. Way easier, cooks quicker, and you don’t waste as much gas doing it. You start to notice how the little uses of LPG add up when you do simple things like that.
17. Use a Pressure Cooker
If you’ve got a pressure cooker, use it. Cuts the cooking time right down and saves a heap of gas. Great for stews, soups — even those tough bits of meat that usually take hours to get tender.
18. Don't Open the Oven Door Often
Avoid opening the door to check what's inside every minute. Every time you do, the heat rushes out and it’s got to heat up all over again. Just leave it shut — it’ll cook fine. Just check through the glass if you can.
19. Continue to Use Appropriate Ventilation
If the area around the stove feels cramped, just open a window a little. Needs air to burn right — that’s all there is to it.
20. Monitor Your Gas Levels
Running out of gas mid-cook is the worst. Keep an eye on your cylinder so you can reorder before it’s empty — but don’t go checking it every day either. Once you get a feel for how long a bottle lasts you, it’s easy to time your refills. Some of the newer cylinders even have little gauges, which make it dead simple.
Little Habits Go a Long Way
You don’t need to change much. Just small things here and there, and you’ll start noticing the difference — cheaper bills, less waste, and just better cooking with LPG. If you need gas that’s easy and reliable, go with Plus Gas.
