Save Energy When Cooking
 

How to Save Energy When Cooking

Enjoying a meal with family or friends is one of life’s pleasures.

But with today’s high cost of living, saving energy also matters – especially when cooking at home.

No one wants to pay for more electricity or gas than they need. So, what can you do?

Whether you have an electric cooker, gas oven, combi microwave oven or induction hob, here’s how to save energy when cooking – and reduce your energy bills.

Match the cooking appliance with the meal

So, what are the cheapest ways to cook food? It depends on what you’re cooking – here’s a simple guide.

Electric, gas and induction hobs

Cooking food on the hob is cheaper than cooking food in the oven. It’s the perfect way to prepare quick and easy weekday meals, like pasta.

But not all hobs are the same. Induction hobs are more energy-efficient than gas hobs or electric hobs as they use a magnetic field to directly heat the pan – and they’re quick. However, induction hobs are typically more expensive to buy and only work with cookware with a magnetic base.

The Blomberg MIN74387NP Induction Hob has four cooking zones, creating ample space for your pans while its 1-9 temperature levels on each zone ensure precise control. Plus, its Power Boost and Plug and Play features offer added versatility.

Or explore our range of AEG, Beko, Bosch and NEFF induction, gas and electric hobs.

 

Gas and electric ovens

Due to their size, electric and gas ovens use more energy to cook food. This means they’re not an energy-efficient choice for smaller dishes, but they will easily handle large meals and batch cooking.

The Blomberg ROEN8201B 60cm Built-In Single Oven with AeroChef Technology is ideal for bigger families. Its generous 72-litre capacity and an A energy rating make it ideal for cooking with larger families. AeroChef technology ensures even heat distribution and airflow throughout the cavity, providing precise and consistent results every time.

A double oven is another option, thanks to its extra capacity and flexibility.

Explore our range of AEG, Beko, Blomberg, Bosch, Hotpoint, NEFF, and Samsung ovens.

Microwave ovens

Microwaving is the cheapest way to cook or reheat food. Because microwave ovens heat food (fast) directly, their cost per use is generally lower than other cooking methods.

Combi microwave ovens combine the benefits of a microwave oven with a ‘traditional’ oven in one appliance, saving energy, money and space.

Air fryers

Compact air fryers use less energy than a full-size oven to cook smaller meals. They are ideal if only one or two people are home.

 

How to cook in an energy-efficient way

Cooking with gas is generally cheaper than cooking with electricity because electricity costs more per unit.

But we can all save energy when cooking with these handy tips:

1. Batch cook meals, then reheat portions in the microwave oven as needed. If cooking food from frozen, defrost first to save cooking energy and time.

2. Minimise heat loss when cooking by using the right size pan and keep the lid on. Only pre-heat the oven as needed and keep the door closed. Need to peek? Look through the glass instead.

3. Only heat the cooking water you need. If you have an electric hob, it’s more energy-efficient and cheaper to boil water in the kettle first. However, if you have a gas hob, you’ll save energy by using the kettle but not money, according to the Energy Saving Trust*.

4. Switch off your electric hob or electric or gas oven a few minutes early to maximise energy use. Your food will continue cooking (for free) in the residual heat.

5. Turn off cooking appliances at the wall when not in use.

6. Finally, keep your cooking appliances clean. Burnt-on food doesn’t just look bad: it absorbs heat, so your hob or oven needs more energy to cook.

Choosing a self-cleaning oven – like the Blomberg ROEN8232BP 60cm Built-In Single Oven with AeroChef technology – is a good way to save your elbow grease. It comes with pyrolytic cleaning, which turns burnt-on food into ash at high temperatures, so all you need to do is wipe it away.

If you’re looking for an easier way to reduce your cooking times, pop into one of our stores and talk to one of our experts. Alternatively, browse our cooking range and make mealtimes a breeze.

*Source: Energy Saving Trust.