Most homes use natural gas for cooking in Bolivia. Some homes (mostly condos and apartments) have connections to gas that is piped in directly from the local company EMCOGAS, but most homes that don’t use electric stoves and ovens must purchase canisters (called “garrafas”) as well as a valve-regulated hose (“manguera con válvula reguladora para garrafa”) that connects the garrafa to the stove/oven. There is no citywide gas grid to connect to (only some buildings and apartment complexes have their own grid).
In order to get connected to gas in Cochabamba, you will have to go to the local company EMCOGAS and request the connection (if you rent, it’s probably already connected). They will request identification from you and probably a copy of your rental contract, the last month’s bill (your landlord should have one), or a copy of last month’s electricity or water bill (again, ask your landlord) because these contain the location information they need in order to properly direct gas lines to your home.
If your home has piped-in connections to EMCOGAS, you will have a constant supply of natural gas and won’t have to worry about purchasing garrafas, hooking anything up, running out at inconvenient times, etc. You will simply find a small lever on the wall somewhere near the space where your stove will fit in your kitchen. If you lift the lever up, it will cut off the gas supply to your stove. If you push it down it will begin the flow to your stove. You can regulate how high the flames burn on your stove simply by moving the lever up and down until you find the level you are comfortable with. The you leave it there. Use the knobs on our stove to regulate each burner.
If you have connections to gas in your home, you will be sent an “aviso de cobranza” or “pre-invoice” indicating how much you owe. You monthly bill must be paid in full each month at the local utility office, or any bank or credit union. Your gas will be cut off if you are late paying your bills more than three months in a row. Typically, if used just for cooking and your water heater, your gas bill should be under Bs. 50 a month (currently equivalent to about $8 U.S.)
If your home has no piped-in gas connection, you will need to purchase your gas in garrafas every time you run out. For this, you must first purchase a brand new empty garrafa for gas (an initial investment of about Bs. 200 (about $27 U.S.) You can do this at local outdoor markets (just ask “donde hay garrafas?”) or small local stores around your neighborhood usually have some.
With this empty garrafa you go to a store that sells gas. EMCOGAS does NOT deliver garrafas, it only provides piped connections. You trade your empty garrafa for a full one. A full garrafa will cost you Bs. 24 (that’s roughly 3 dollars). Depending on how much you cook or bake, it should last you 20-30 days, if not more. Cooking with gas is MUCH CHEAPER than using electricity.
During the day you might hear trucks driving by making a clanging sound as they make their way slowly from one street to the next through the neighborhoods. These are the gas trucks. They carry several dozen garrafas of gas and as they pass by your house you can flag them down, trade in your empty garrafa for a full one, and pay the driver or his assistants directly (in cash).
It is smart to buy two garrafas. That way you always have a full one on hand and if you run out while cooking or baking, buying a new one isn’t an emergency.
The following are gas companies that supply garrafas (full and empty, 10 kilograms and 45 kilograms) and deliver to your home. I find this is easier than finding a local store or market because garrafas weigh about 20 lbs. empty and are heavy to carry around. They weigh nearly 40 pounds when full, so save yourself the hassle.
COMPANIES THAT DELIVER NATURAL GAS
COMMON SENSE AND BASIC PRECAUTIONS
1) They are heavy stainless steel canisters weighing a lot when empty and even more when full. Be careful when lifting them, ask someone to help you if needed, and be careful not to smash your toes when setting them down.
2) Be sure the valve is completely turned to the OFF (Cerrar) position when you are connecting the garrafa to it’s hose.
3) Be sure the part of the hose that connects to your stove is properly connected and tightly closed so there are no leaks.
4) Once connected, slowly turn the round valve on the garrafa to the OPEN (Abrir) position. You will hear a very quiet hiss. Do NOT open it fully, just open it enough to be able to light your stove.
5) Prepare a match or lighter, light it, THEN turn the knob for one of the burners on your stove and light the burner. If you think there is not enough flow of gas to your stove, turn the knob on the garrafa just a little more to the ABRIR position until you achieve the flow you want. From then on you shouldn’t have to bother with the garrafa at all any more until you need a new one.
6) Always light your ligher or match BEFORE you turn on the gas on your stove.
7) Always make sure there is not too much wind blowing in through open kitchen windows. If the wind blows out the flame on your stove, the gas will still be flowing.
8) Never smoke in your kitchen.
9) It helps to tie a rag around the garrafa knob to ensure no gas leaks out. Not usually necessary, but there’s no such thing as being too safe.
10) Never let kids near a garrafa.
11) Always make sure the gas is OFF when you’re not cooking.
12) It helps to always have a little ventilation in your kitchen so gas doesn’t accumulate if you should accidentally leave it on, or if there is a leak.
