Gas Load Shedding in Pakistan: 5 Ways to Keep Cooking in 2026
Updated October 2026
Quick answer: The most reliable way to keep cooking through gas load shedding is a stove that does not depend on gas alone. An LPG cylinder or an electric infrared cooker works as a backup, but a hybrid gas + electric stove lets you switch fuel on the same cooktop the moment gas pressure drops.
Every winter the story repeats itself in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar: the gas flame shrinks right at breakfast, disappears before dinner and comes back when everyone has already eaten. In Ramadan it is even harder, with Sehri and Iftar falling exactly in the hours when pressure is weakest. Here are five practical ways Pakistani families keep the kitchen running, with the trade-offs of each.
1. Plan Cooking Around Gas Hours
Gas pressure is usually best late at night and in the middle of the day. Many families now cook salan, daal and rice in larger batches when pressure is good, then only reheat at mealtime. A pressure cooker also cuts cooking time, so you need the flame for less time.
Good for: anyone, at no extra cost. Limit: fresh roti and tea still need heat at mealtime.
2. Keep an LPG Cylinder as Backup
Switching to an LPG cylinder is the traditional answer. It gives you a real flame when the Sui gas line is weak.
Good for: homes that want to stay on flame cooking. Limits: refills cost money and time, cylinders can run out mid-meal, and your stove must be set up for LPG (burners for natural gas and LPG use different jets). Always store the cylinder upright, in a ventilated place, and check the pipe and regulator for leaks.
3. Use an Electric Infrared Cooker
An infrared ceramic cooker plugs into a normal socket and heats within seconds. It works with any flat-bottomed pot, so roti, salan and chai cook the same way. A typical Glam Gas infrared cooker uses about 1.5 units of electricity an hour.
Good for: flats, hostels and homes without a reliable gas line. Limits: it stops during a power cut, and a single plug-in cooker takes counter space next to your main stove.
4. Switch to a Hybrid Gas + Electric Stove
A hybrid stove combines gas burners and an electric cooking zone on one cooktop. You cook on gas while the pressure is good; when it drops, you switch to the electric zone and carry on with the same pot. During a power cut, the gas side still works. That is why more families are now comparing gas and electric stove price in Pakistan instead of buying a gas hob and a separate backup cooker.
Good for: families who face both gas load shedding and power cuts. Limits: it costs more upfront than a gas-only hob and needs both a gas connection and a power point. Glam Gas hybrid options include the 3+1 Hybrid Hob, the 3-in-1 NG + LPG + electric stove, the GG-02B-E hybrid hob and the Hybrid 34 cooking range.
5. Cook Smarter With What You Have
- Keep a lid on every pot: food cooks faster and uses less gas.
- Soak daal and chana overnight to cut cooking time.
- Use insulated flasks and hot pots to keep food warm for late eaters instead of reheating.
- Clean burner heads regularly: blocked holes give a weak, yellow flame even when pressure is fine.
Which Option Suits Your Home?
| Option | Works in gas load shedding | Works in a power cut | Extra cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plan around gas hours | Partly | Yes | None | Every home |
| LPG cylinder backup | Yes | Yes | Refills | Flame cooking lovers |
| Electric infrared cooker | Yes | No | Electricity | Flats, hostels, small kitchens |
| Hybrid gas + electric stove | Yes | Yes (gas side) | One-time purchase | Families facing both problems |
Safety Tips During Gas Load Shedding
- Turn every knob off when the flame goes out. When pressure returns, gas can flow from an open burner without a flame.
- Choose a hob with a flame failure device, which cuts the gas automatically if the flame goes out.
- Keep the kitchen ventilated, especially when using an LPG cylinder or a heater nearby.
- On a hybrid stove, use one fuel at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best stove for gas load shedding? A hybrid gas + electric stove, because it keeps working on electricity when gas drops and on gas during power cuts.
Is an electric stove cheaper than LPG? It depends on your electricity tariff and LPG price. An infrared cooker uses about 1.5 units an hour; at Rs. 50 – 60 per unit that is roughly Rs. 75 – 90 per hour of cooking.
Can I use my natural gas stove with an LPG cylinder? Only if the burner jets are changed for LPG. Ask a qualified technician or buy a stove supplied for LPG.
Why is my gas flame yellow and weak? Low pressure or blocked burner holes. Clean the burner heads; if the flame is still weak when other homes have good pressure, have the line checked.
