10 Cooking Tips That Will Help Cut Energy Bills for UK Homeowners

With the UK currently experiencing a cost of living crisis, households are struggling to both heat their homes and feed families.

As energy bills skyrocket, one angle to consider is finding small ways to reduce your energy consumption in the kitchen.

It might not sound significant but just being mindful of the way we cook and implementing a few changes, could help reduce energy consumption and cut the cost of bills.

Here are our ten cooking tips that will help save energy costs:

1. Utilise The Oven Space

If you plan on preparing a big meal, like a roast, then just by prepping everything beforehand and utilising the space in your oven, you will lower your usage and save you energy.

2. Switch Off Oven Ten Minutes Before The End

Electric ovens can be quite costly to use compared to gas ones. However, you can reduce your usage by switching off your oven ten minutes before your food is due to be ready. The temperature of the oven will remain the same and continue to cook your food.

This will help you save energy and money.

3. Fan Ovens

A fan oven will circulate heat around your food as it cooks, meaning it requires a lower temperature than a traditional oven. Fan assisted ovens use 20℃ less to reach the equivalent of a gas mark 6, making them the more energy-efficient alternative for your home.

4. Defrosting Overnight

When cooking from frozen, make sure to defrost in the fridge the night before, or even the morning of as this half the cooking time and save you money on your bills.

5. Microwave

Although perhaps not the healthiest, microwaves’ low energy usage and fast cooking times make them one of the most energy-efficient cooking appliances.

They require no pre-heating and are able to heat your food much quicker than an oven.

6. The Right Size Pans For Your Hob

If you use an electric hob then it’s worth investing in flat bottomed pans.

They make full contact with electric rings and allow heat to spread more evenly. This will result in your food being cooked faster, saving you time and energy.

7. Investing In A Slow Cooker

If you can, a slow cooker may be worth investing in as it uses the equivalent amount of energy as that of a light bulb.

15 hours of slow-cooking for example equates to just 1 hour in an oven, so when it comes to energy efficiency, this appliance would definitely help you save.

8. Boil Potatoes Before Roasting

By boiling potatoes 5-10 minutes before putting them in the oven, you not only help soften them up but it also means they take less time to cook, cutting down that energy usage.

9. Using Glass or Ceramic Dishes

Using glass and ceramic dishes will store more heat than metal. They will not only cook your food faster but are more energy-efficient and cost-effective.

By using one you can even lower the heat due to their increased efficiency.

10. Using The Kettle To Boil Water

Whether it’s pasta, potatoes or veg, use your kettle to boil the water you need and then transfer it over to the hob. Electricity from the kettle will cost less than boiling it straight from the hob.

Hopefully, some if not all of these tips will see you cooking more efficiently in the kitchen and help you to start saving on those energy bills.