cooking energy

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Save energy with a toaster oven

October 2, 2009 in Eco Kitchen, Save Energy by Jennifer | 1 comment

Say the word toaster oven and most people think of those old burning hot machines sitting on top of grandma’s counter when they were a kid (or is that only me?). In any case, a new toaster oven is a great way to save energy in the kitchen.

Black & Decker Toaster Oven

The newer toaster oven models are not the machines of the past either. New toaster ovens have all sorts of settings, come in various sizes (some even fit whole pizzas!), and overall are more eco-friendly than oven cooking because they use less energy, have shorter preheating times, and keeps your home cooler in the summer than a traditional heat ridden oven. Newer toaster ovens even look better than the ones from years past so you won’t feel the need to cover it up when guests come over.

Note if you only want one other appliance – i.e. an energy saving microwave or a toaster oven check out Treehugger’s guide to which is the better and greener choice for your needs.

Home Stove and Oven Energy Savings

January 8, 2009 in Eco Kitchen by Jennifer | 1 comment

These pots above could use some lids to save energy!

If you’re looking to save energy at home, taking steps in the kitchen is smart, especially when it comes to your stove and oven use.

Some handy energy saving tips:

Keep it clean. Dirt and grime can interfere with proper cooking time and energy use. Clean inside your oven, the stove top reflector pans (or glass), and the fan regularly.

Quit peeking. Looking inside the oven won’t make that cake rise any faster. It will waste energy though each time you open the door. Use the light instead and look in the oven window.

Use pots and pans that fit the burner size. The worst energy waste here is a tiny pot on a big burner.

Consider an alternative. Both toaster ovens and microwaves use less energy than your oven. Can you use one of these options instead?

Turn it off early. You can easily turn your oven off about ten minutes early, and still have your food cook through. Just leave your dish inside the oven with the door closed for the last ten minutes. You can also do this with some stove top foods, like pasta. Allow the water to boil, but turn off the burner before your noodles are all the way cooked. Place a lid on the pot to keep heat inside.

Thaw before cooking. Thaw foods in the fridge before you cook them. Frozen foods take longer than thawed to cook.

Check your oven door seal. A broken or loose seal allows heat to escape. Dirt can also affect how your oven door seal works, so keep it clean as well.

Preheating is a waste. Most food items don’t really need to be put in a preheated oven. Some baked goods do, sure, but not stuff like frozen tator tots for the kiddos.