Damian Bennett Electricians – The Poole Electrician – Call Today – Tel : 0793 255 7563
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You cannot save much energy just by changing cooking methods. Cooking uses a small fraction of the total household energy compared to cooling, heating and lighting. However there are a few easy ways to save energy when cooking which can also speed up the amount of time you spend over a hot stove.
Make sure you use the correct size saucepan for the cooker ring you are using to prevent heat loss, and when heating water in the stove only use the amount you actually need you are not wasting electricity unnecessarily to heat the extra water. You waste over 40 percent of the heat produced by the ring if you use a 6″” saucepan on an 8″” ring .
If you boil the water in the kettle first it will reduce the time the ring needs to be on to heat the water. Putting a lid on will also help it come to the boil quicker and hence requires less energy.
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Damian Bennett Electricians – The Poole Electrician – Call Today – Tel : 0793 255 7563
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However nothing is as energy efficient for cooking as using a microwave. It uses one -third of the energy of your stove. Also think about using a pressure cooker, a slow cooker or a steamer all of which use less energy. A slow cooker cooks at a very low temperature for a long time and is a great way to save energy. Switch the cooker on before setting off for work and you will have a meal ready and waiting for you as you get home. A toaster is better for toast than a grill because the area to be heated is minimised and hence saves energy.
Only when absolutely necessary should you open the oven door. Every time you open the door the oven temperature drops by up to 30 degrees. Getting an oven with an oven light and a glass window in the door will let you check on your food without opening the door. Keep the glass in the oven door clean so you can easily look through it to check on the food rather than having to open the door and letting all the heat out.
If you use saucepans which have become blackened with heavy use, they absorb a lot of heat, reducing ring efficiency. You want them to remain shiny so they reflect heat up to the cookware. Similarly if the saucepan bottom is not flat it doesn’t come fully into contact with the ring and energy is wasted.
Finally save energy before you start by defrosting frozen foods in the refrigerator before cooking.
If you would like to discuss any aspect of your electrics call me or drop me a line at The Poole Electrician.
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Damian Bennett Electricians – The Poole Electrician – Call Today – Tel : 0793 255 7563
