The biggest nightmare for any Indian household is “Gas Cylinder Finished, What To Do?” But with tensions arising in West Asia, India is already witnessing a gas shortage and a rise in prices of LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas). This has put survival pressure on both households and restaurants. Until these geopolitical tensions come under control, we thought of bringing you some emergency cooking ideas without a gas cylinder. Keep reading.
How To Cook During LPG Shortage India
Why Is India Facing A Shortage of LPG?
India is currently facing a huge shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG, because of a severe disruption in the global supply chain. The reason behind this is the Iran war and blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, which has led to a major drop in imports from the Middle East. This has led to a crisis in the hospitality industry as well as households in India.
LPG Shortage Cooking Alternatives 2026
If you’re wondering how to cook food without LPG at home, we have some amazing alternatives to a gas stove.
Induction Cooktop
The very first option to cross anyone’s mind while mentioning alternatives to an LPG stove is an induction cooktop. They are electric wonders that help you prepare meals without using gas. It is a faster alternative, and all it needs is a stable connection and proper induction-safe utensils. A proper tutorial on how to use it, and you can easily cook any Indian meal on this device at home.
Air Fryer
No, before you think air fryers are just for crispy snacks, let us introduce you to their versatile use. You can easily cook marinated chicken, grill fish and vegetables, chana dal vada, pakoras, kothimbir wadi, banana bread, and many such dishes. The best part is that it uses minimal oil while preparing the mentioned dishes, making it a healthier alternative to a gas stove. You can also search for “air fryer Indian meals” for more recipes to prepare on this device.
Electric Cooker
A one-in-all device, an electric pressure cooker offers electric cooking options during a gas shortage. It uses electricity and cuts cooking time by 60 to 70%. The best part is that you do not have to keep checking. It has an automatic timer that is set based on the dish’s manual information, which alerts you when the food is ready. You can easily prepare rice dishes, hearty soups, stews, steamed vegetables, and even steamed cakes in this electric cooker.
Solar Cooker
Solar Cookers will never face a shortage of fuel as it works of free fuel from the sun. Paired with utensils, this device can easily help you cook basic dishes at home, especially on sunny days. It is a one-time investment with no maintenance cost. You can easily cook rice, stews, soups, tender vegetables, legumes, and hearty curries in a solar cooker. The only drawback it has is that the cooking takes a little longer, but is surely a good alternative amid shortages.
OTGs
OTGs (Oven-Toaster-Grill) are the perfect alternative for preparing food dishes that need roasting, toasting, and grilling. You can easily prepare healthier dishes like toasted bread with eggs, grilled vegetables, or baked food items. They are convenient options for elderly people as this device does not need much supervision. Though it cannot completely replace a gas stove, it can be an answer to “no gas cylinder, what to cook at home.”
Microwave Ovens
If you ever thought microwave ovens are meant to only warm up your food or make pizzas, well, you are yet to discover their power. A microwave oven is way more versatile than you can ever think. You can easily boil eggs, prepare oatmeal or lentil dishes, and also steam vegetables in an oven. All you need is a good tutorial to teach you about the temperatures and microwavable utensils. It can be a good answer to how to cook food without LPG at home.
Electric Kettle
Whoever thinks an electric kettle can only give you boiling water is surely underestimating this amazing electric device. It can help you prepare softened lentil preparations, herbal teas, soups, and also oatmeals. Also, students living in hostels have also invented another use of this kettle, and that is preparing instant noodles. Although the kettle cannot help you prepare a full-fledged meal, it can surely help with your small cravings.
Other Option: No-Cook Meals
While we discussed alternative appliances that can help you replace an LPG stove, you can also opt for no-cook means sometimes. Infact war fruits and vegetables have comparitively high nutritious value than cooked meals. You can easily prepare salad bowls, fruit bowls, smoothies, Buddha bowls, and such no-cook meals, which are both easy and nutritious.
Summing Up
India is facing a severe shortage of LPG cylinders, while the country is trying to solve the problem, you can easily choose between various alternative appliances for cooking. From an electric cooker to an electric kettle, we have given you enough options to explore and use amid the crisis.
