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Green Tips in The Kitchen

Posted on Fri May 9 2008
By: in
We do spend reasonable amounts of time in the kitchen. While major appliances such as the refrigerator, freezers, washing machine are major power drains, you can also cut down power in the kitchen by other smaller appliances.

As you scan your kitchen, you probably did not realize that there are more electrical appliances then you imagined. Electrical cookers, juicers, blenders, mixers are all electrical appliances that consume energy. So, what are some of the things that you can do in order to minimize energy and power?

Well, you can start by doing little things, which when put all together is a major contribute a lot to cutting down on power and saving energy.

First, consider the cookware you use. Did you know that you can cut down on energy waste, while your cooking. The size of the pots and pans you use could cut down energy. If you use larger pots, than you actually need, your wasting energy in order to heat the empty space of the larger pan. So, use cookware sensibly and the appropriate size as per the amount that your cooking.

In addition to the size, the shape of the cookware also makes a difference. Energy efficient cookwares are ones that are flat or have a convex bottom, as it uses the heat from the burner efficiently.

Then the material that you use for your cookware also needs to be considered. Certain materials such as cast iron, are able to retain heat much better than other materials. Copper pots and pans, use less energy as they reach the cooking point much faster. So, the material you use to cook makes a huge difference.

Another thing you should be mindful of is the size of the burner. If the size of your burner is much larger than the pot or pan, your simply heating up the air around the cookware and wasting energy. So use small burners as they use less energy, and definitely use smaller pans on smaller burners.

Using specific appliances and techniques for cooking, will also cut down on your energy. Light ovens, solar cookers are such things that can be used.

So, the way that you use your cookware, and the appliances that you use in your kitchen can help you cut down on energy and thus save your money. In turn you contribute to a healthier environment.

3 Comments so far!!

Praveen, your timing of this article is perfect. I'm buying new cookware for the first time in fifteen years and it's amazing how much it's changed from the plain pots and pans I bought back then. Thanks for the guidance! I'll keep your tips in mind.
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One other energy saving tip regarding your cookware: keep the lids on your pots as they cook. You may need to turn down your heat to avoid burning the food, but leaving the lid on will keep the heat inside your pot and cook your food faster.
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Consider buying induction cookers and use them instead of gas. They are way better than gas ovens or microwave ovens if you use steel pressure cookers. Eg. To cook rice in an induction cooker for 4 people, it takes me about 5 mins max, but on the microwave, it takes around 30 to 40. Induction cookers only heat the food in the steel containers and not the container itself, unlike gas burners which heat the vessel first and the vessel then cooks the food. You can cook most food items in a pressure cooker. It is faster and more energy efficient. (I have cooked bolognese sauce in about 10 to 15 mins and got the same taste as it would have been if I cooked the traditional way of slow cooking)
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