Issue No. 19
Sept. 26, 2013
Energy-efficient cooking
C
ooking consumes about 4% of the average gas and electricity bill. Changing the food preparation and using energy-efficient cooking appliances can reduce the amount of energy you use and cut your energy bills in the process. Here are some energy-efficient cooking tips: Oven • Check oven door if properly sealed. • Choose an energy-efficient oven with triple glazing on its door and good insulation. • Consider cooking in bulk and freezing. Then, reheat in the microwave. • Do not pre-heat unnecessarily. • Keep the windows clean so you can look through to check while cooking. • Turn it off 10 minutes before the cooking time ends. • Use glass or ceramic dishes. Stovetop • Keep rings clean as burnt foodstuff absorbs preventable heat. • Keep the lid on pans to keep the heat in. • On a gas stovetop, keep the flame directly under the pot or pan and don’t let it run up the sides. • On an electric stovetop, choose flat-bottomed pans that are the same size as the elements. • Simmer instead of boiling vigorously. • Use a pressure cooker for cooking pulses, and even meat joints, whole meals, or stews. • Use a steamer to cook and to layer a number of vegetables on top of each other and still use one ring, or use a pan with a divider. Other cooking hints • Always make toast in your toaster, and not on a grill. • Cooker must always be in good working order. • Copper-bottomed pans heat up quicker than stainless steel and cast-iron pans retain heat more efficiently. • Defrost frozen food in the fridge overnight. • Do not boil more water than is needed.
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Do not overpay for the used energy. Compare gas and electricity prices. Insert stainless steel skewers into baked potatoes and meat joints. Food cut into smaller pieces is quicker to cook. Put just enough water in the pan to cover vegetables. Use an electric frypan, pressure cooker or microwave oven as an alternative to traditional electric ovens.
Benefits: • Helps lower fuel consumption. • Keeps gas and electricity bills down. • Prevents unnecessary energy use. • Reduces the greenhouse gas emissions. • Saves money and time. • Speeds up the cooking process. Sources: http://www.uswitch.com/energy-saving/guides/energyefficient-cooking/
Published by the Trade and Industry Information Center (TIIC) for the DTI ENERCON Management Team in support of the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program. If you have Enercon tips to share, other suggestions or requested topics, please e-mail us at publications@dti.gov.ph.