Picture this: It’s a chilly winter day, snowflakes are falling, and your preparing a warm meal for your guests. You have a home full of hungry people and the kitchen is ablaze with food items waiting for their turn in the oven. Now, what if we told you that by simply utilizing a variety of other appliances, you could speed up your cooking time and cut your energy expenditure by as much as 80 percent?

According to Consumer Reports, “When it’s speed you’re after, a microwave can heat up food in minutes using up to 80 percent less energy than an electric range or oven. Generally speaking, a small microwave, rated at 600-800 watts, is more energy-efficient than a larger one. An air-frying toaster oven has the added bonus of getting foods very crispy in less time than an oven. Simmering a stew in a slow cooker or multi-cooker for hours will also draw much less energy than a stovetop or oven.”

In this article, we will share with you 7 kitchen appliances that will cut energy costs while still cooking your food to perfection and keeping your kitchen running efficiently.

When cooking, especially for a larger group, keep a few key things in mind:

• Preparation is key – Have a gameplan for what dishes will be cooked in what appliances and for how long.
• When possible, purchase and use Energy Star appliances.
• The U.S. Department of Energy shares the following energy-saving kitchen tips:
  • Covering cooking pans/pots
  • Using an electric kettle instead of running hot water
  • Loading the dishwasher fully before washing
  • Relatively small measures, such as reducing the number of times the refrigerator is opened
  • Removing extra refrigerators/freezers
  • Placing the faucet lever on the kitchen sink in the cold position when using small amounts of water; placing the lever in the hot position draws hot water even though it may never reach the faucet.
  • Looking for blue flames in natural gas appliances; yellow flames indicate the gas is burning inefficiently and an adjustment may be needed. If you see yellow flames, consult the manufacturer or your local utility.
  • Keeping range-top burners and reflectors clean; they will reflect the heat better, and you will save energy.
  • Using a covered kettle or pan or electric kettle to boil water; it's faster and uses less energy.
  • Matching the size of the pan to the heating element when cooking.
  • Using the microwave oven when possible
  • Using small electric pans, toaster ovens, or convection ovens for small meals rather than your large stove or oven. A toaster or convection oven uses one-third to one-half as much energy as a full-sized oven.
  • Not setting your refrigerator or freezer too cold. Recommended temperatures are 35°-38°F for the fresh food compartment and 0° F for separate freezers for long-term storage.
  • Making sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. Test them by closing the door over a piece of paper or a dollar bill so it is half in and half out of the refrigerator. If you can pull the paper or bill out easily, the latch may need adjustment, the seal may need replacing, or you may consider buying a new unit.
  • Regularly defrosting manual-defrost freezers and refrigerators; frost buildup decreases the energy efficiency of the unit. Don't allow frost to build up more than one-quarter of an inch.
    
    

1. Microwave ovens – These rank first on our list and for a good reason! As opposed to ovens that heat the entire compartment and around it, microwaves excite water molecules with electromagnetic waves, decreasing the energy output. This results in shorter cooking times, less wasted energy, and even heating, especially for smaller items. Think side dishes and leftovers. Check out some easy recipes here: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/packages/love-your-kitchen/surprising-recipes-for-the-microwave.
2. Air Fryers – These appliances are known for their ability to get foods crisp and crunchy. Perfect for wings and appetizers. Check out some delicious recipes here: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/photos/air-fryer-recipes.
3. Dishwashers – According to Energy Star, “Washing dishes in a new ENERGY STAR certified dishwasher rather than hand washing can cut your utility bills by about $220 per year, saving $3,300 over its lifetime compared to handwashing your dishes.” As mentioned above, run a full dishwasher to maximize efficiency.
4. Induction Ovens – According to the U.S. Department of Energy, “Induction cooking uses an electromagnetic field that transfers currents directly to the cookware placed on the glass surface. The heat is created from within the cookware itself; as soon as you remove it from a burner, the heating stops. This way, you can cook your food without the cooktop getting as hot as it would on a traditional gas or electric cooktop.”
5. Electric Kettles – As a result of the direct heat transfer and faster boiling time, electric kettles are more energy efficient than microwaves or traditional kettles.
6. Slow Cookers – Utilizing a crock pot or slow cooker makes for a simple meal while also utilizing less energy. Because of their low wattage, insulated design, and consistent heat, they are much more energy efficient compared to using an oven or stovetop. Perfect for your main course. Here are some tasty recipes to add to your playbook: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/packages/comfort-foods/slow-cooker-meals/easy-slow-cooker-recipes.
7. Toaster Ovens – Due to the smaller and more compact design, toaster ovens require less energy to heat the unit.

And there you have it, 7 appliances to make your cooking and clean up energy efficient, expedited, and most importantly, enjoyable! For more energy saving tips, check out our website at www.ugies.com.