My gas lasted 6 months when I learned this trick that a gas fitter showed me.

Do you feel your bottled or natural gas is running out faster than before? Many blame suppliers or appliance use, but the real culprit is often the burners themselves. A gas technician explained that dirty or clogged burners can drastically increase gas consumption without obvious signs.

When cooking, food scraps, grease, or spills can fall onto the stovetop and burn, clogging the gas outlets. If your flame looks orange or yellow instead of blue, combustion is inefficient. Weak flames cook slower and waste gas.

Cleaning burners properly is simple and inexpensive. You’ll need white toothpaste (not gel), 2 tablespoons of salt, 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 1 tablespoon of liquid detergent, hot water, a large container, and a brush or sponge.

First, make sure the burners are cool. Remove all parts, including caps, diffusers, and heads. Apply toothpaste to the metal pieces and scrub with a brush or sponge to loosen grease and residue without damaging the metal.