Comment on Discussion Thread 🧀 Saturday 24 January 2026
PeelerSheila@aussie.zone 2 days ago
Kitchen tribulations: Miniest wants to learn to cook things, which I am totally ok with, but the problem is getting a stove lighter they can operate. They’re all childproof! Tough for me to operate let alone an almost 12yo.
melbaboutown@aussie.zone 2 days ago
Would it help for her to light the end of a strand of spaghetti and use that to safely light the burner from a distance? It’s a shame there isn’t that ignition button some stoves have.
Worst case scenario an electric frying pan or a usb hot plate could be some good options
Catfish@aussie.zone 2 days ago
IKEA has a portable induction plate about the size of a chopping board. But the 80s square electric frypan ic a ‘cultural’ icon
PeelerSheila@aussie.zone 2 days ago
That looks pretty good too actually.
melbaboutown@aussie.zone 2 days ago
I saw tiny usb ones that plug into a laptop, not sure how much heat they get but it would be adequate for noodles
PeelerSheila@aussie.zone 2 days ago
An electric frypan eh? 🤔 That’d be handy when she makes pancakes. It’s a good idea and I’ll look into it, bench and cupboard space be damned! She likes to cook noodles and pasta and she’s getting the hang of a Bolognese. The stove lighter we’ve got is a trigger one but it’s got a button thingy you have to push at the same time. Pushing both buttons to operate the lighter whilst being mindful to turn on the gas jet at the right time is a feat of coordination she’s still getting used to.
melbaboutown@aussie.zone 2 days ago
I hear you, I think mine has the button but I prefer to have the steady flame waiting for the gas to come on. It creeps me out to think of the gas seeping out into the air while trying to get it lit.
The big square pan is definitely space hungry but is good for large one pot meals
PeelerSheila@aussie.zone 2 days ago
That’s how we do it. But she’s got to light the lighter two-handed, let one hand go once it’s lit to turn the gas on without letting go of the trigger, get the gas lit and not accidentally turn the knob the other way, this lighting the stove and immediately turning it off again 🤣 we’ve had a few good laughs about it!