I’m An Energy Expert, Here’s The Cheapest Ways To Cook Dinner To Reduce Your Bills

How To Cook Like A Professional Chef While Still Being Energy Efficient

With rising energy costs spiralling higher every month, finding ways to reduce bills without sacrificing comfort is a top priority for many households. One area where you could make a big saving is in the kitchen, by cooking your dinner with these top tips to minimise your energy usage in mind.

Llewellyn Kinch, the CEO and co-founder of MakeMyHouseGreen, provides his top tips for optimising your energy usage in the kitchen.

Cook Multiple Dishes Simultaneously

When using the oven or stovetop, plan ahead so that you’re cooking multiple dishes simultaneously. This will help optimise your energy usage and reduce cooking times. When planning meals, aim to cook recipes that require similar cooking temperatures and times together to maximise efficiency.

Use Small Appliances Wisely

Llewellyn says, ‘Always consider: do I really need to use the oven for this? Opt for small kitchen appliances, such as slow cookers, microwaves, and toaster ovens, for smaller cooking tasks. These appliances often consume less energy than their larger counterparts.’

Practise Smart Cooking Techniques 

Use lids on pots and pans to retain heat and reduce cooking times. Avoid opening the oven door unnecessarily and don’t leave it open, as this can cause heat loss and increase energy usage. Llewellyn says, ‘The same goes for your fridge or freezer door, as leaving these open means the temperature inside rises, requiring more energy to cool the interior back down again once you’ve closed the door.’

Update To Energy-Efficient Appliances

If you really want to make a big change in your kitchen, Llewellyn recommends investing in energy-efficient appliances, such as induction cooktops, convection ovens, and ENERGY STAR-rated dishwashers. These appliances consume less energy while still delivering excellent performance. Llewellyn says, ‘Consider replacing your old outdated appliances with newer models to capitalise on the technological advancements in energy efficiency that have been made by engineers.’