Can someone explain precisely why it's dangerous to heat a room with stovetop gas burners?

[closeupready]

Is it the carbon monoxide buildup? If so, side question would be, why isn't that a concern when one is cooking? Thanks.

[jobycom]

1. I would think the flames are too exposed.

Carbon Monoxide shouldn't be the problem, since they make gas space heaters. I grew up with gas heaters in every room, and they weren't vented to the outside. But the flames were behind a grill so nothing could accidentally come in contact with it, unlike a stove top. When you are cooking, the pot covers the flame, but if there's no pot, then the flame is just exposed.

Dunno, though. Just guessing. Never thought of trying it.

[closeupready]

2. Certainly, that is a very big danger.

Depending on how cluttered your kitchen is - paper towels and napkins can flutter near the flame, and voila, disaster.

[jobycom]

3. Or pets and small children, or even distracted adults, can get burned.

I caught a towl on fire once on a gas stove because I spilled something, grabbed the towl to blot it up before it ran between the counter and fridge, and trailed the towl end through the flame. Suddenly the spill wasn't important anymore. :)