A dozen reasons to cook with propane this Valentine's Day

It’s Valentine’s Day. And what better way to impress than with a romantic, home cooked meal? Whether you’re searing a steak or simmering sauces, cooking with propane is a sure-fire way to win over your significant other’s heart (and their taste buds). So skip the roses and share a dozen reasons to choose propane with your sweetie.

1. Cooking with propane costs less. Less than half when compared to cooking with electricity, in many cases actually. And saving money means you can splurge and buy someone that perfect Valentine’s Day gift.
2. Propane-fueled cooktops offer precise temperature control, allowing you to adjust from a boil to a simmer in seconds. Think: perfectly melted chocolate for those chocolate-covered strawberries.
3. Unlike electrical appliances, many propane cooking appliances are not affected by power outages. That means you can enjoy a candlelight dinner and warm food, no matter the weather conditions outside!
4. Propane provides more even heat across the bottom of pots and pans, which means fewer hot spots and scorched sauces. Say, hey good lookin', what you got cookin'?
5. While electric appliances require flat-bottomed pans to maximize their cooking ability, gas burners have no problem handling warped-bottom pans. So that means you can use that pan from Grandma without worrying about the evenness of her triple chocolate brownie recipe that’s baking.
6. Propane appliances are available in all the latest designs and technology, such as energy-efficient models, convection ovens, and sealed burners for easy cleaning. Need a Valentine’s Day gift that says it all? Go with a new propane-powered appliance.
7. Gas ovens can provide a moister heat, as the gas creates some humidity as it burns. So you can say goodbye to dry chocolate cake!
8. 96% of professional chefs say they prefer cooking with gas… and we know plenty of “amateur” chefs who prefer it, too. With propane, you’ll be sure to impress your loved one with your pure culinary genius.
9. Instant gas flames allow you to cook without waiting a long time for burners to warm up. It’s getting hot in here!
10. Propane burners also cool quickly, making the stove safer when the heat is turned off. So you can be cool, calm, and collected – always.
11. Propane ranges and cooktops emit approximately 30 percent fewer carbon dioxide emissions than electric units. Because, let’s be honest, being environmentally friendly is sexy.
12. Add a little variety to whatever you’re cooking with propane. Gas stoves give you the ability to char and toast food, which is something electric models can’t do. See? Propane keeps you warm and toasty in more ways than one.

Find these stats and more about the benefits of propane appliances at Propane.com and Propane101.com.

If you’re in love with propane, but still not sure what to make for your significant other, give this recipe a try. It’s one of our favorites.

Red Velvet Trifle courtesy of delish.com

Ingredients

1 box red velvet cake mix (plus ingredients called for on box)

16 oz. cream cheese, softened

5 c. heavy cream, divided

1 ½ c. sugar

½ c. powdered sugar

1 c. semisweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare red velvet cake mix batter according to package instructions and pour into one or two round baking pans roughly the same circumference as trifle dish. Bake according to package instructions, then let cool completely. Remove cakes from pans and wrap in plastic wrap, then place in the freezer for at least 2 hours.
2. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese on high until light and fluffy. Slowly add 3 cups heavy cream and sugar and beat until soft peaks form. Transfer to the fridge until ready to assemble.
3. In another bowl, beat 1 cup heavy cream and powdered sugar on high speed until soft peaks form. Transfer to the fridge until ready to assemble.
4. Make ganache: Place chocolate chips in a medium heatproof bowl. In a small saucepan over low heat, heat remaining 1 cup heavy cream until small bubbles appear around the edge. Immediately pour cream over chocolate chips and let sit 5 minutes. Stir until glossy and smooth. Transfer to the fridge until ready to assemble.
5. Assemble the trifle: Remove cakes from freezer and slice crosswise into 1/4” layers. Place one layer on the bottom of trifle dish and top with a layer of cream cheese mixture. Repeat layers of cake and cream cheese until dish is almost full, then add a layer of whipped cream. Let trifle sit for 1 hour.
6. Just before serving, drizzle trifle with ganache, then serve with remaining ganache.
7. Enjoy!

For more information about cooking with propane, visit our Propane Appliances page.