small steps, smaller footprints

 

Now that you'll be spending more time in the kitchen, it would be worth considering a few minor adjustments you can make to improve your efficiency by 30% and save energy. The following tips are a few of the many ways you can create a more energy-efficient diet.

Have all of your food processed and ready to throw in the mix before you turn on your stove. Cooking on the stovetop is more efficient than baking meals in the oven. Make sure to use pots and pans that are the right size for what you're cooking. Also, be sure to cover what you're cooking with a lid to trap the heat. This will dramatically reduce cooking time and the amount of time it takes to bring water to a boil. Speaking of boiling water, you can save energy by using an electric kettle to heat water, and then pour the hot water into the pot you are cooking with. Ensure the burner pans, which are the reflective metal bowls under the heating elements, are clean so they can do their job of reflecting heat. Cook in bulk. You'll save time and energy. Whatever you can't finish can be saved. Just be sure to let meals cool before putting them in the fridge or freezer and be sure to thaw frozen meals in the fridge. This goes for anything that ever needs thawing. Plan ahead and let it warm up in your fridge.

These are a few good ways to use less energy for cooking, but you can always go above and beyond. Try eating more raw fruits and vegetables, or foods that require less cooking. Also, sometimes leftover meals that have been cooked can be enjoyed a second time without reheating. If you must reheat, use your microwave. Cold-brew your coffee and quit putting ice in your water. The personal impact of using 30% less energy while cooking is:

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