We all need to eat and many people enjoy preparing meals at home, which is also a money-saver.
The savings do not stop there as reducing fuel consumption is also financially smart.
Energy conservation has the added benefit of helping the environment, something many people have made a mission of doing.
Learn how to make efficient use of the oven and maximize hob heating.
Cooking Techniques To Save Money
Preparing several meals at the same time and cooking them in a single session is an efficient way to use oven fuel. Equipping pans with steamers gets the most from precious hob heat.
Using tight-fitting lids to cover casseroles and pans also speeds cooking time, reducing fuel use. If a lid seems too lose, place a sheet of foil under it to create a tighter seal.
Recycling vegetable oil used when deep-frying foods is an eco-friendly move. Since this oil was used for high-temperature cooking, it should not have picked up flavors from food, but keep fish frying oil separate. After cooking with oil, let it cool completely and then strain it through a fine sieve or coffee filter. Store it for future use by pouring it into a lidded bottle.
Cooking Equipment That Can Save You Money
Using an electric kettle is the fastest and least expensive way to boil water for use in a saucepan. When using this kettle to make tea, boil only the amount of water that is needed. The Energy Saving Trust reports that if we all followed this rule, enough electricity would be saved to power nearly all street lights in the UK.
When a saucepan is used for cooking, ensure that its base covers the gas or electric ring. This prevents heat from escaping up the pan sides. If slow-cooking vegetables are boiling in a saucepan, steam faster-cooking veggies in a basket placed over this pan, avoiding the need to use a second ring.
When cooking a casserole or roast for more than one hour, begin with a cold oven. Approximately one hour prior to cooking, remove a whole turkey or chicken from the refrigerator so it can come to room temperature, reducing cooking time.
A pressure-cooker can quickly pay for itself because this appliance reduces cooking time by nearly two-thirds. In addition, it is better for cooking large quantities and does a better job than a microwave can with tenderizing a tough cut of meat.
If an oven must be used, cook several pieces of meat at the same time to reduce fuel costs. Ultimately you will have more money to spend on food if you follow these energy saving guidelines.
