Age to use a gas stove?? First grader

[Anonymous]

We have a young relative that seems to have an interest in cooking. At the very lead an interest in self-sufficiency. This weekend she mentioned that she makes simple things, by herself on her family's gas stove. She will be 7 very soon and is pretty independent minded. Is that young? Or pretty typical?is it worrisome to those with kids of similar age? I only have a toddler, so my game is currently prevention in this area.

[Anonymous]

Crazy young if you ask me.

[Anonymous]

My only fear is that she'd burn something on the gas flame. When I first got my gas stove, I still used fabric pot holders and towels to open the pot lids (I had electric before). I singed and burnt a few until I bought silicone pot holders. Would she know what to do if there was a fire?

[Anonymous]

A 7-year old telling you she is cooking "by herself" is probably not taking into account that a parent is also in the kitchen doing stuff as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A 7-year old telling you she is cooking "by herself" is probably not taking into account that a parent is also in the kitchen doing stuff as well.

Yea, I could see letting my 6yo cook with supervision in another year or so if he were interested. He's cautious and careful. His younger sister, probably not. She's more impulsive and there's a mess left behind wherever she goes. She's the Oscar to her brother's Felix. I think at that age it depends a lot on the kid.

[Anonymous]

Brings back memories, but granted it wasn't a gas stove. My mom still tells the story of my going over to a friends house for a sleepover - age 4 - and making myself and her eggs in the morning on the stove (back in the mid-70's) before her mom got up. Always did it at home, but the mother freaked out a bit. Totally get it now, but it was normal in our house so I didn't think anything of it! I'm not sure I would be OK with a 7 year old cooking with a gas stove by themselves though. If I were around the house near by and I've taught them well, then probably OK.

[Anonymous]

I would never let my 7 yo cook on the gas stove anything close to unsupervised.

There is no lip to catch a stray pot and they can easily tip on those grates. Plus, little kids tend to use more force to move things, and too much force when pushing a pot on a top like that is sure to cause something bad to happen. Pans/pots get hotter with gas. And don't get me started on the controls!

[Anonymous]

Seven year old children around the world are building fires, cooking, using sharp knives, hunting and working paying jobs. So, yes, a seven-year-old is perfectly capable of using a gas stove.

[Anonymous]

My 6 year old does this supervised. She turns on the stove, melts the butter or oil and then helps cook whatever we're making.

[Anonymous]

I think it's awesome. My oldest started cooking on the stove when she was tall enough. Probably 1st grade. It's electric though. I'd let her do the same with gas. Her friend is a pretty good cook and uses their gas stove. Her mom made her start learning to cook simple dishes early so she could be self sufficient if necessary.

There's a world of difference between what toddlers and 7yos are capable of. You'll be growing right along with him, and hopefully encouraging him to explore and learn to do things for himself.

[Anonymous]

It's on the young side, but whether or not it's appropriate depends on the kid. My DD is in K and has been helping me cook on our gas stove since she turned 5. She started helping me in the kitchen at 18 months; was helping to cut fruits/vegetables at 3.5; so the stove seemed to be the natural next step. She's naturally very cautious and a rule follower though.

[Anonymous]

Ever watch MasterChef Junior? Children between 8 and 13 can apply.

8 isn't that far off from 7.

I'm pretty sure they started cooking before 7.

[Anonymous]

It's fine. Watch her a few times to see that she's careful and safe, and if you feel she is, let her do it.

I have four children and by age 7 they could all boil water and make tea, oatmeal, pasta (I poured the pasta and water into the strainer though, because of how heavy it was), etc.

At that age they could also make eggs in a frying pan - scrambled, omelets, etc. Which led to making French toast.

Generally someone older would be in the kitchen for anything other than boiling water.

[Anonymous]

If they've been taught what to do and how to be safe about it, it's fine.

My 7 year old boys often cook eggs on the gas stove while I'm not there. I started cooking with them when they were about 3, so they've worked up to it. They can also safely use a sharp knife, although they use knives with rounded tips. I will admit that they once set the toaster oven on fire one Saturday morning. But they put it out; they knew how because I had gone over with them what to do. I only heard about it afterwards. Bet it never happens again.

Kids are capable of more than we give them credit for.

[Anonymous]

No, I've still got scars from a gas stove accident.

I'm thinking about getting a toaster oven for my soon to be 8 year old to cook something.