By Izah Morales

WITH the rising prices of commodities, you can cope with it not just by tightening your belt but by being a wise consumer.

During 8th Consumer Trade Fair, Rene delos Reyes, technical engineer of Petron Gasul Trade, offered tips on how you can economically use your liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

“Kapag magluluto ka, ‘wag ‘yung nakasalang ‘yung kawali mo, tapos dun ka palang maghihiwa ng ingredients mo. I-ready mo na ‘yung ingredients mo para ‘pag magluluto ka, hindi ka na magtatagal [When you’re cooking, don’t put the pan on the fire and only start preparing the ingredients. Prepare the ingredients even before you start cooking so you won’t have to wait],” says Delos Reyes.

Delos Reyes says consumers should make sure gas stoves produce a blue flame, which gives more heat. In this way, gas consumption can also be reduced.

Delos Reyes also gave the following safety tips in using the LPG:

1. Check whether your tank is branded. He explained that the Philippine National Standards require every supplier to put a label on their tanks.
2. Filled cylinders supplied by authorized dealers are provided with valve safety plastic caps. Always put these caps on valves to prevent dirt from entering valve pins.
3. Always test for leaks. If ever you install a hose, regulator on a tank, you should just use soap and water. Spread the soap on the hose. When bubbles are produced, it means that there’s a leak.
4. If LPG is present, don’t strike a match or use an open flame to test for leaks. LPG is odorized with ethyl mercaptan to attract the attention of the consumer for possible leaks.
5. When lighting a non-automatic gas stove or oven, first strike a match and hold burning match about one-half inch from burner then turn on gas.
6. Tanks should be requalified. Requalification should be done through hydrostatic testing after 10 years from the date of manufacture and every 5 years thereafter.
7. When turning off the gas, make sure to close the knob completely.