Cooking with Electrons Is the Future

This week, California's Governor Newsom signed a bill to ban the ubiquitous one-pound propane canisters that are the scourge of campgrounds everywhere. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that between 4 and 7 million of the single-use cans are sold just in California every single year. And because they are hazardous and can pose an explosion risk, proper disposal can cost as much as $65 per cylinder for local jurisdictions that need special equipment to empty them before they can be recycled. Campers will still be able to use small propane containers, but they must be reusable. Right now, these refillable canisters are about twice as expensive as the single-use version, and the infrastructure for refilling them is still being developed. It's a classic example of the tragedy of the commons. People purchase the cheeper option, even though the total cost when factoring in disposal is much higher. The new law is a good first step at addressing the externalized costs, and California's massive market will undoubtably help move the industry in this direction all over the country.

But, imagine if you could avoid cooking with propane altogether, even while camping. The induction cooktop that comes with every Thunderbolt Adventure Supply kitchen is a game-changer. The secret to induction’s efficiency is that there is virtually no wasted energy. When you cook with an open flame, you are heating the pot, but also the air around the stove. Even more energy is wasted producing the glow of the flame. In fact, induction cooktops are up to three times more efficient than gas, with none of the noxious fumes. If you’re driving around in a Rivian, you already have a readily available power source for your electric appliances. Why not use it?

If you must use propane to cook, reusable canisters are already available. In the Bay Area, Sports Basement even has a program for free refills. When you purchase a Flame King refillable canister, you can get it refilled up to 5 times per year (see their website for details). Though it requires a bit of planning, this program quickly becomes less expensive than purchasing the old single-use fuel cans. We are not sponsored by Sports Basement, but I think this program is fantastic (and they just let our Mountain Bike team hold a meeting in their community space).