Ovens & Ranges

Your food budget doesn't stop at the check-out counter. Here are some suggestions to help you save energy and money when cooking.

Don't Pre-Heat If You Don't Have To

If you're baking breads and cakes, preheating your oven may be necessary. But for most foods (casseroles and broiled items) preheating simply isn't necessary. It's an energy and money waster. Every time you open your oven door you lose approximately 25°F of heat.

Small But Significant

Smaller meals can be cooked in an electric skillet, broiler or toaster oven. They use half the energy of their full-size electric counterparts, and won't heat up your kitchen.

Use Your Microwave Oven

Your microwave requires about the same amount of energy per hour to operate as your electric oven. But, since it cooks food so much more quickly, it saves you time, energy and money.

Boil Until Boiling And Not A Minute Longer

Once water or other liquids reach a state of boiling, they won't get any hotter. If you need to bring something to a boil, turn the burner down or off when it starts to boil.

Think Smart...Plan Your Meals

A meal like roast chicken, green bean casserole and brownies can all be cooked at the same time because they cook at the same temperature. It is easier on you and your oven too.

Cover It Up

Covers and lids on your pots and pans trap steam to help cook food faster.

Keep The Heat Inside The Oven

Every time you open the oven door, you lose about 25 degrees of heat. This means your food will take longer to cook and your oven needs to work that much harder to keep the temperature consistent.

Pay Attention To Pots & Pans

Pans with flared sides or bottoms that are smaller than your burner let heat escape. If pots and pans are too big, or have warped bottoms, food will not cook evenly. For most foods a medium weight aluminum pan cooks faster and more efficiently than other types. Save heavier pots and pans for foods that require slow and steady cooking.

Use Your Leftovers

Your oven and range have leftovers too. An electric oven can stay hot for up to 30 minutes. Even your electric range top burner can stay hot for an extra 3 to 5 minutes. Take advantage of this extra heat to warm up desserts or rolls. After all, you've already paid for it.

Keep Your Oven Clean

An oven that's free of grease and baked-on residue will work more efficiently.

Thaw First, Then Cook

If you thaw your foods completely before cooking, you're oven won't have to work so hard to cook your meal.