Caring for your electric cooker
It’s surprising how making small changes can really boost your cooker’s efficiency.
Getting the most out of your appliance will not only prolong its lifespan but also keep your energy bills low. From the dishes you use to passive cooking, there’s a lot you can do to make a difference. Explore our top tips and tricks below:
Make the most of the heat
Often overlooked, but arguably one of the best energy saving tips when it comes to cooking, is using residual heat to finish off the cooking process. It will help you cook to perfection and save you money on your energy bills. Also known as ‘passive cooking’, turn off the hob a few minutes early when boiling pasta or veggies and (with a lid on) allow the already boiling water to finish the job.
You can also use the residual heat from your hob to warm food, toast nuts or heat dinner plates. This utilises what would otherwise be wasted heat/energy. Another way to make the most of residual heat is to turn the oven off five minutes earlier. The heat will still be more than enough to finish off the dish and save you money in the long run.
Pick your dish wisely
By choosing glass or ceramic dishes, you can use a slightly lower temperature as they maintain heat a lot better than metal alternatives.
Put the lid to good use
It sounds like a no-brainer but putting a lid on your pots and pans will help them heat up quicker and use an amazing 85% less energy.
Multitasking is your friend
A little bit of extra preparation goes a long way in the kitchen! Cooking multiple dishes in the oven at the same time is a great way to use your appliance more efficiently – just make sure that the fans are not obstructed. This is especially good if you do a lot of meal prepping or prefer to batch cook. Similarly, if you are cooking just a single dish, it’s worth using the smaller, top oven rather than the main cavity. This smaller oven will use less energy to heat up.
Don’t sneak a peek
Try to keep opening the oven door at a minimum while your dishes are still cooking as it will keep the heat from escaping. Looking through the glass panel rather than opening the door will prevent your cooker from working harder to maintain the right temperature and keep your favourite dishes cooking evenly.
Keep your hob sparkling
A dirty hob doesn’t just look unappealing but it can cost you money! Dirt and debris stuck to the cooking rings can absorb heat and make the appliance less energy efficient.
In a study by AEG, it was found that only 36% of users clean their ovens every three months (as recommended). Keeping your oven clean will extend the life of your appliance and keep food cooking efficiently.
Timing is key for self-cleaning programmes
If you are lucky enough to have a pyrolytic self-cleaning programme on your oven, turn it on straight after using the oven to use less energy. These features use a super-high temperature during the cleaning process and, by doing this when it is already hot, you are using significantly less energy.
