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.
