I found out how to search properly on here. this is a known issue. please close

it is possible to put 4 items into a frying pan then attach that pan onto a gas stove taking only 2 inventory slots for 7 items (stove, pan, gas canister and the 4 things in the pan.

it doesn't need the gas canister but makes no difference if one is attached.
it also does this with a cooking pot.

this setup should use at least 4 slots (preferably 6) {F32025}