Cooking is one of those everyday activities where we often don't think about energy consumption. However, there are many ways to reduce electricity consumption and do something for the environment at the same time, especially when preparing meals. Here are some simple tips on how you can use energy more efficiently when cooking and heating food.

Use the microwave sensibly

The microwave is a practical appliance, especially if you want to heat up small quantities quickly. However, it consumes more energy if you want to heat up larger portions. For quantities over 250 ml, the kettle or a hob are usually more efficient. The microwave is best for heating small quantities, such as a cup of tea or a small portion of food.

Defrosting frozen food correctly

A common mistake when defrosting food is that we quickly resort to the microwave or oven. However, if you plan ahead, you can simply defrost frozen food in the fridge. This way, the resulting cold is automatically used to keep the other food in the fridge fresh and save energy.

Cooking with a lid

A simple trick that saves a lot of energy: always put the lid on the pan when cooking. An open pot causes a lot of heat to escape and unnecessarily increases energy consumption. A lid keeps the heat in better and the food cooks faster.

Choose the right pot size

Make sure that the saucepan fits the hob. A pot that is too small on a large hob will cause a lot of heat to be lost and cooking will take longer. A pot that is too large on a small hob will also use more energy than necessary. The right combination ensures faster cooking and less energy consumption.

Using pressure cookers

Pressure cookers are an excellent way to drastically reduce the preparation time of meals. They require less energy as they can cook at a lower temperature thanks to the high pressure. So if you often prepare stews or soups, it's worth investing in a pressure cooker.

Kettle instead of stove

If you want to boil water for tea, coffee or other drinks, the kettle is the most energy-efficient choice. On the hob, it takes longer for the water to get hot and more energy is lost in the process. A kettle, on the other hand, uses the energy more directly and requires less electricity.

Do not boil more water than necessary

Only fill the kettle with the amount of water you really need. If you boil too much water, it will take longer for the kettle to heat the water and unnecessary electricity will be consumed. So make sure that you don't boil more water than you actually want to use.

Conclusion

Energy-efficient cooking is not only good for your wallet, but also for the environment. By making small changes to your cooking habits, you can significantly reduce your energy consumption and protect the environment at the same time. Try it out and follow these simple tips the next time you cook!