We’ve written several times about saving energy in homes. Energy savings, in any form, is always an interesting topic. This time, we’re sharing a few tips on how to save some kilowatts in the room that typically consumes the most energy – the kitchen
The biggest energy consumers in the kitchen are the stove and the oven. Unfortunately, the advice that applies to water heaters or storage heaters – turning them on during off-peak electricity rates – is generally not applicable in the kitchen. However, some electricity savings can be achieved with just a little attention.
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The first rule is to always cover the pots and pans in which you are heating something, as this can save up to 20 percent of electricity, while also reducing the amount of moisture in the apartment. Cooking eggs, heating water for tea – these are all processes that consume a lot of energy, not just cooking lunch.
Gas is Generally More Economical Than Electricity
Try to always use pots and pans that completely cover the surface of the burner with their bottom, as this will transfer thermal energy with less waste. Get rid of old pots and pans that have uneven bottoms and wobble on the burner surface. Such cookware only contacts the burner at one point, so the heat transfer is much worse, and the electricity consumption is proportionally higher.
One solution to these problems can be preparing food on a gas stove. Gas is also cheaper than electricity and has other advantages, such as more precise control of heating intensity. Gas vs. electric stove is an important consideration for kitchen energy efficiency.
Cook on “Low Heat”
Depending on the dish you are cooking, when the water boils, reduce the heat on the burner. If the burner was set to six until boiling, with a covered pot, the dish will continue to simmer on “three” or “two.” If the water boils more vigorously, it doesn’t mean that lunch will cook faster, but only that the water will evaporate faster.
Generally, cooking on “low heat” will make the dish tastier as well. If you are planning to buy a stove, consider modern energy-efficient stoves with a flat surface. They operate more economical.
How to Make the Oven Save for You
When preparing food in the oven, there are a few tricks to save electricity. Again, if you plan to buy a new stove, choose a device with a fan, as they save up to 15 percent of electricity compared to standard devices.
While preparing food, try to open the oven as rarely and briefly as possible, because each opening loses about 20 percent of the heat. Therefore, the oven glass should always be as clean as possible, so the cooking process can be monitored without opening the door. Besides, a clean oven interior allows for better heat transfer to the food, which is another way to save.
Finally, you can save a few more kilowatts by turning off the oven ten minutes before the end of the baking process, as every oven retains the set temperature for about that long before it starts to cool down gradually.
Implementing these oven energy-saving tips will help in your overall goal of reducing electricity usage and home energy conservation.
Photo: Freepik, LG Elactronics