Five Reasons Great Restaurants Cook With Gas – and Why You Should Too

If you’ve ever watched a restaurant kitchen in full swing, you know it’s a high-pressure dance of heat, hustle and precision. Pans clatter, flames flare and food flies from stove to plate with mind-bending speed. Behind all that culinary choreography? Gas.

From Michelin-starred Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen to South Africa’s favourite culinary queen Siba Mtongana,gas is the trusted tool of those who understand the power of flame.

You’ll spot the same preference in kitchens run by Lorna Maseko, where gas burners add both style and performance. While not every chef puts it in writing, the message is clear: gas isn’t just used – it’s relied on.

Whether it’s a fine dining restaurant in Sandton or a street food kitchen in Durban, gas gives South African chefs the control, speed and consistency they need. But this isn’t just a restaurant secret.

If you’re a weekday pasta warrior or a Sunday potjie master, cooking with gas isn’t just about copying the pros. It’s about cooking better, faster, smarter – in a way that suits your lifestyle, your budget and yes, even your load shedding schedule.

Let’s unpack the five reasons great restaurants choose gas – and why your home should too.

1. Precision That Makes the Difference

For chefs, heat control is everything – it’s instinct, control and timing. Gas gives that in an instant.

Unlike electric stoves, where the plates take time to heat up – and even longer to cool down – gas responds immediately. You see the flame. You feel the heat. Turn the knob and the change is instant. That real-time responsiveness is what makes the difference between a delicate sauce and a curdled mess, between a golden sear and a dry piece of steak.

Jamie Oliver, known for making home cooking feel approachable, has often spoken about this. He praises the visual and tactile nature of cooking with flame – the way gas lets him trust his senses, not just a dial. That instinctive control is what so many professional chefs rely on; and it’s a luxury home cooks can enjoy too.

With gas, you’re not guessing. You’re adjusting, adapting and reacting – just like a pro. Whether you’re melting chocolate over a low flame or flash-frying veggies for supper, gas gives you the confidence to cook the way you want, when you want.

2. Speed and Flow That Keep the Kitchen Moving

Gas doesn’t waste time. A pot of water reaches the boil quicker. A pan heats in seconds. The oven warms faster. And for restaurants where every second counts and every plate needs to fly out at the right moment – this is gold.

But even in a domestic kitchen, that speed changes things.

Imagine coming home after a long day. You’ve got half an hour to feed the family before settling the little ones down to do their homework and the lights go off. With gas, there’s no “preheat delay.” You’re cooking the minute you strike the match (or click the ignition). That means less time waiting – and more time enjoying the meal you’ve made.

Gas keeps the rhythm of your kitchen flowing, whether it’s a 200-seat dinner service or Tuesday night leftovers.

3. Smart Value That Lasts Beyond the Bill

There’s a myth that gas is more expensive than electricity. But that’s only if you’re looking at the initial setup – and not the full story.

Restaurants know that over time, gas pays for itself. It’s more energy-efficient, more responsive and more durable. Most importantly, it uses energy only when you’re cooking – not while a coil heats up or a plate holds residual heat for minutes after the food is done.

South African households feel the same pinch restaurants do when it comes to rising electricity tariffs. Every month, bills climb higher – and the value of gas becomes clearer. It’s no wonder so many local families are switching to 5kg or 9kg gas cylinders for their everyday cooking.

And unlike electricity which can be inconsistent, gas is always there when you need it. Affordable, refillable and usable wherever you live – whether it’s a flat in Braamfontein or a farmhouse in Mpumalanga.

4. It’s Made for the Way We Cook

South African cuisine doesn’t do quick or plain. We slow-cook. We braise. We boil big pots of chakalaka. We leave our potjie to bubble gently for hours. We cook for family, for community, for spirit.

These kinds of meals need consistent, controllable heat. And gas offers that kind of reliability – hour after hour, flame steady and sure.

More and more South Africans are also using their kitchens as income generators – home bakeries, small catering businesses, cottage industry side-hustles. For these cooks, gas isn’t just a convenience – it’s a business advantage. It helps them produce more at a lower cost, faster and without worrying about the next power outage cutting the oven off halfway through.

Gas gives your cooking the professional backbone it deserves – without needing a restaurant-grade kitchen.

5. Cleaner, Greener, Safer

In the past, gas may have been seen as old-fashioned. But today, it’s one of the cleanest and most environmentally sound choices available for cooking.

Modern LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) burns cleanly, with lower greenhouse gas emissions than coal-generated electricity – which is still the bulk of South Africa’s power source. That means your choice to cook with gas can help reduce your personal carbon footprint.

It’s also safer than ever. When you buy from a trusted supplier like SimsGas, your cylinder is filled legally and tested for safety. Plus, gas stoves cool down quickly, don’t rely on hot coils and are easier to clean. Say goodbye to baked-on electric stove grime and hello to a quick wipe and go.

Cleaner kitchens. Safer cooking. A greener choice for your home and the planet.

What This Means for You

It’s easy to see why chefs trust gas. But here’s the thing: they don’t have to be the only ones.

You don’t need stainless steel countertops or a Michelin star to benefit from the same speed, control and power. Gas works in modern homes, traditional kitchens, off-grid cottages and apartments with tiny countertops.

It helps you cook better, more confidently – and more reliably. It works for single students, for large families, for gogos cooking Sunday lunch and for side-hustle cake makers up before dawn.

And best of all? It works for you – right now.

SimsGas Makes It Simple

At SimsGas, we offer a full range of safe, refillable gas cylinders. Whether you’re new to gas or just need a top-up, we’ve got you covered – from Durban to Johannesburg and beyond.

You can even shop online from the comfort of your home:
🛒 https://simsgas.co.za/shop/

Have questions? Need a service? Reach out any time.
📞 Johannesburg: 011 494 4232
📞 Durban: 031 902 6533
📧 Email: jhbsales@simsgas.co.za

SimsGas is an authorised Oryx Energies South Africa distributor

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and not a substitute for professional advice. SimsGas urges all consumers to follow safety guidelines and buy gas only from verified suppliers. We are not liable for any harm caused by using gas from unregistered sources. Stay safe – choose sealed, reputable LP gas every time.

Order your LPG Gas online: https://simsgas.co.za/shop/

Phone: 0861 746 7427
Email: jhbsales@simsgas.co.za

We will deliver to your home or business, so order today!

Johannesburg: 011 494 4232

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Email: jhbsales@simsgas.co.za