How to Cut Energy Use in the Kitchen in Half
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With just a few, simple steps you can cut energy use in the kitchen in half. In this video, we show you how to use a Kill-A-Watt meter to determine the energy …
My biggest electric siphon. Is for the a/c. And bc I work at home. I have t e computer. Otherwise I use my iPad
Cutting the heat source early & let what you cook glide into a finished state.
I try to double batch cook and freeze half. I mark the calendar for two weeks from then so I don't end up with white mystery chunks in the freezer.
Our library loans the meter out. You do need to know your cost per killowat.
I like the new clear background!
I don't use the stove or oven anymore. Instead, I use my crockpot, instant pot/air fryer combo, microwave (just to reheat). I'd like to invest in an electric griddle for eggs and pancakes as well. But, I don't miss the oven or stove! We also bought an old coal stove that we are restoring. Our plan is to use it outdoors to bake and cook. Got it on Marketplace for $100!
What a great, insightful video!!! Thank you for doing this research and sharing it with us to help all of us save money over the long haul also! 😀
Great info. Thanks
The other aspect of this is that you're being environmentally responsible .
Can i ask you a question i have been contemplating buying a counter oven electric im sure you have seen them i would use it instead of my stove when i cook a big chicken or turkey which is not often does that use alot of electricity or not?
Hope -is the convection oven (which is part of my Breville toaster oven combo) similar kilo wattage as air fryer since it’s similar
I have the emril toaster oven i use it quite a bit my oven not too much the stove top i heat up and turn off and its still hot enough to continue cooking eggs grilled cheese etc my crock pot i have used for years i love it i dont have an insta pot but i know some people like them
You spoke deep to my soul about reheating your coffee once every hour for the next five hours 😂
Things that made a remarkable impact on our electricity bill regarding kitchen.
a) "10 times 3" rule when cooking small size grains (buckwheat, rice, oats, half lentils it works, bigger lentils need a bit more cooking). You start with cold water, add salt to it by taste and add dry 1 part of grain for 1,5 part of water. First 10 minutes is bringing it to boil on high (takes about 4 to 6 minutes on my hotplate), then turn the heat down to 1 and let it simmer for 10 minutes, then turn it completely off and let it sit for another 10 minutes. Perfect fluff every time. The key is not to raise the lid even once after you determine it is boiling. You're basically using after-heat to cook it, but it costs less because you use less energy. We actually started doing it when we used our wood stove – you bring it to boil, settle it on the edge and then further away from the center. I tested it when I lived in a place I needed to keep eye on the electric bill and it reduces the bill significantly over the months, because we eat a lot of porridges.
b) coffee machines with thermal carafe. I don't mind drinking cold coffee, but my family does. So we got one of those and it keeps coffee warm half a day without problems. We also make coffee ready in it when possible power outage is on horizon and we'll have hot brew in the morning. Yeah – make coffee once, drink it hot most of the day. We also have same type of electric kettle which used to be our only source of hot water at some point – much cheaper than to boil water in a pot.
c) I cook meats in bulk. !This method does not work on lean meat! I like to use bags so the heat concentrates on the meats (or closed pots). Preheat the oven to 395 F, cook the meat for half an hour, then without opening the door, reduce the temperature to 300 and leave the meat there for another hour or two depending on the size and quantity. Not sure if it works so for others, but our stove reduces electric use tremendously when the temperature is brought down, so this method works for us.
d) hehee, old crockpot in the wood stove (finnish fire place type of hot wall? not sure of the name) also works superbly well in winter times :D. Old style slow cooking is perfect for saving electricity. In it I'd include using non-electrical kitchen gadgets. …mostly because I don't like their noise…
e) For last. When we couldn't afford high bills (who can in these days either!), we actually used the straw box method. A box that was filled with old matrass stuffed with straw and closed on top with straw as well. Basically, you brought it to boil and while it was still boiling, set the pot in the box and left it there. Works well, but you need to plan ahead a little and dinner is best to set into that box 1 to 3 hours before eating.
Everybody should calculate their electric usage, truly – it is a good lesson on your consumption.
Thank you for getting me thinking about looking into how we cook. I'm in Australia and you're right, our electricity costs are huge (despite many houses including mine having solar panels). Looking forward to cooking 'smarter not harder' to save some money. – Sarah
Hi Larry, Hope. The audio didn't seem to cue with the footage but nonetheless another informative video. Really appreciate the research put into this.
If many people follow, it will have a great impact in worldenergy!!!!!! Thank you so much!!!!!
Thank you for this helpful video!
This is so helpful!
Excellent, excellent information and presentation! Thank you so much for the work it took to prepare this useful information. Luv you guys…🤗
You two are wonderful – what dilligence! You may be the only two people who are just as geeky as me!! I cook almost exclusively with my smaller appliances and leave the big range & oven (fired w/propane) and the electric wall oven for only the most special occasions – they mostly serve as extra storage space for seldom-used cookware. I strongly suspect that my biggest energy hog is the fridge, which I deliberately placed more than 8' away from any heat source when I designed the kitchen. Years ago, when I was looking into Earth Ships, I learned about "phantom loads" and I'm grateful that my local electric co-op is a great value compared to either of the utility companies I had before moving out here to the boonies. Thanks for the great info – stay well & healthy, Wares, and thank you so much!
I use my crockpot alot in the winter for meatloaf, roasts, ham etc, uses less energy than my 25 year old stove, which I am not replacing for a newer energy efficient stove because 1. It was made in Canada….2. It is a good stove compared to the junk made today.
I use my microwave a lot as well….
Hi guys!! I miss you so much!!
Love your tips today! 🥰
Nice one . I love you both , I like how you both are a long and on same page ; REQUEST ;PLEASE make a video about the things you both disagree about , argue about ; the hidden or dark side of been frugal IF there is . THANKS
We got solar panels last yaer. It`s relly great. We have to pay 30 Cent per KWh and we sell it for 9 Cent, what we aren`t using. To cook we have an induction cooker. Energy is very expensive in Germany.
This video is a huge eye opener! Gina in lights
Great Video as always, intersting to see what appliances cost to run. Still don't understand why electric kettles are not a thing in the USA, I don't think I have ever heated water in the microwave. I drink "Builders Tea" , strong black tea with milk, I wouldn't get the water hot enough in the Microwave.
That little gadget is tremendous!
I thought you were going to say to cook 2-3 things in the oven at the same time.
I love your charts, Hope! Thanks for taking the time and effort to make them for us! You're the best!
There is something called solar cooker. With that u can cook ur food fast with just sun light/heat of the sun light on a sunny day. Meaning u don‘t need ur stove/oven on that sunny day.
What about a crockpot? Does it guzzle electricity? Is it cheaper to use a crockpot to cook?
Great and informative video. Thank you folks
Great to see the costs in black and white! It’s worth finding an alternative way to cook than the oven, which seems to use most energy!