In autumn 1940, facing severe shortages of fuel, people who had a piped gas connection in their apartment came up with the idea of making their kitchens available to neighbors for a fee. Over time, the procedure became widespread and in order to prevent abuse and exorbitant prices, appropriate orders and charges were issued by the Community. Potential clients came in droves. Cooking places were besieged until 11 a.m., 12 p.m. “Entrepreneurs” installed rows of cookers. They made decent earnings, charging a fee of 30 to 50 Pf per hour and allowing constant cooking from dawn to night. The Finance and Management 


Department imposed taxes on the income of kitchen owners by increasing gas bills and rent.

After a while, at the request of Boruch Praszkier, the Community took control over gas kitchens and established their own kitchens and tariffs. The problem of overcrowding, resulting from the lack of experience of junior officials, was soon solved. After the gas supply to the ghetto was reduced, the number of cooking places had to be decreased.


The institution of gas kitchens proved to be an excellent idea. Initially, Boruch Praszkier was in charge, later replaced by Chiruk and Feder.


Statistics:

Number of cooking points 

Number of users

Gas consumption

Charges