This week, a federal regulator called gas stoves a “hidden hazard,” saying a ban on them was in the realm of possibility. President Biden and the Consumer Product Safety Commission quickly walked back that statement, but not before it ignited a firestorm among Republican politicians. So why the big kerfuffle over gas stoves? In 2021, we investigated the debate over gas vs. electric stoves, including the ad campaigns that have fueled it for over a century. While more people in the U.S. today have electric, gas stoves have won the battle for prestige — chefs prefer it. Now, as the gas stove is at the center of a much bigger fight about climate change and public health, gas companies are using the gas stove to try to ensure their future. Sporkful producer Andres O’Hara explains, then tries to convince Dan, a gas stove loyalist, to try a different way of cooking.

Correction: Due to an error, we misstated when the federal regulator commented on gas stoves. It was this week, on January 9, 2023, not last week. We have edited the episode to reflect this correction.

This episode originally aired on June 28, 2021. The Sporkful production team includes Dan Pashman, Emma Morgenstern, Andres O'Hara, Tracey Samuelson, and Jared O'Connell. 

Transcript available at www.sporkful.com.