One fact stands out as we enter the holiday season: we tend to eat a lot! And with all this eating comes the need for cooking. You might not know it, but your cooking methods can influence your energy costs!

For example, natural gas is 3.3 times more affordable than electricity for residential energy use. This significant cost advantage makes natural gas an attractive option for cooking. And of course you can always consider incorporating recipes that require little to no cooking to prepare; see examples in our recent article, “Easy and Energy-Efficient Back-to-School Snack Recipes.” And there are countless no-cook fall/winter recipes to explore that incorporate seasonal ingredients, such as salads, sandwiches, dips, and more.

So, while you prepare to host your next big holiday gathering, let’s explore some safe cooking tips that can help you conserve energy.

Use Your Oven & Stove Efficiently

For many, the stove or oven is our most-used kitchen appliance – especially for cooking the star of the show like the Thanksgiving turkey! When cooking, keep these tips in mind:

• Use glass or ceramic cookware. These materials are heavier than metal, so they retain heat for much longer. This means you can err on the lower end of recommended cooking times.
• Keep the door closed. Your oven can lose 15–30°F every time you open the door – even just a crack. If you leave the door open for 30 seconds (to stir your casserole or check a protein’s temperature, for example), the temperature can drop by 150°F or more. The more the door is opened, the longer your food will take to cook! If you need to check your food while it’s cooking, use the oven light and window.
• Combine cooks. For large holiday meals where several dishes are prepared simultaneously, group together items that bake at the same temperature to minimize the number of preheats. This approach also saves time!
• Keep it clean. A properly (and regularly) cleaned oven and stovetop will distribute heat more evenly and efficiently, using less energy.
• Check your door seal. An oven with a loose seal can cause heat to escape the oven, meaning you lose energy every time you cook.
• Match pot and burner sizes. Using a pot or pan that’s too small for your burner wastes energy and heat, and using a burner that’s too small for your pot or pan can increase your cooking time.
• Use lids. Your food will cook faster if you trap heat using lids on your pots and pans.

Use a Range of Appliances

It’s not 1960 anymore – there are many different appliances out there to use for all your cooking needs! When planning out your holiday feast, try to pick some dishes that can be cooked in these appliances:

• You might not realize it, as they often run for hours on end, but slow cookers are extremely energy efficient! When on their ‘low’ setting, they use about the same energy as a standard electric light bulb.
• Microwaves use up to 80% less energy than conventional ovens, making them a great option for tasks like softening vegetables or defrosting meat so they can spend less time in the oven.
• Air fryers use roughly half the amount of energy than conventional ovens. Plus, they can make your food crispier faster than an oven!
• Similar to slow cookers, instant pots are an energy-efficient way to make a large meal while using less energy. However, unlike slow cookers, instant pots are quick – completing many meals in less than an hour, which typically take several hours in the oven or on the stovetop.

Whichever appliances you choose to use, ensure they are ENERGY STAR-certified to guarantee you’re using the most efficient products on the market!

Practice Safe Cooking Habits

Did you know that every year, more than 170,000  home fires are caused by cooking? This accounts for a whopping 44% of all home fires. So, while you’re cooking up a storm, keep safety at the top of your mind!

• Don’t leave food unattended – this is the number one cause of kitchen fires. If you leave the kitchen, turn off the stove. It’s also helpful to set timers and alarms for food to ensure nothing burns – and it cuts down on energy waste, too!
• Check your smoke detector. Testing your fire alarms monthly helps ensure they work properly in case of a fire.
• Use LED lights. Switching to LED under-cabinet lighting lowers energy expenses and minimizes the potential risk of burns or fires. LEDs emit less than 5% of their energy as heat, whereas incandescent bulbs can release up to 90% as heat.
• Never use your oven for space heating. Using gas ovens as a heating source can create a carbon monoxide hazard.
• If you have natural gas appliances, be aware of the smell. Natural gas has a “rotten egg” odor for leak detection. If you smell it while cooking, immediately turn off the appliance and leave the area. Call 911 from a safe location.
• Make sure you have a fire extinguisher nearby. It should be easily accessible from your kitchen, and you should know how to use it!

Looking for more energy-saving tips? Check out our blog or contact the experts at UGI Energy Services today!