Tip 1 - Now You're Cooking |
| About two-thirds of all new stoves and ovens purchased by Americans in the last few years were microwaves. In fact, more than half of all U.S. households now use microwaves. Here are a few simple tips about stoves and ovens. |
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ENERGY FACTS
- Microwaves use about 50 percent less energy than conventional ovens. They're most efficient for small portions or defrosting. For larger items such as turkeys, microwaving is least efficient.
- For soups and stews, crock pots are efficient.
- Pressure cookers are considerably more energy efficient than regular ovens.
- When you open an oven door during cooking, you lose 25 to 50 degrees or more.
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SIMPLE WAYS TO SAVE ENERGY
- Test the oven thermostat to assure it measures temperature accurately. There's a good chance it doesn't.
- Check the reflectors under your stovetop burners. The cleaner they are, the better they'll reflect heat. If you need new ones, buy quality. The best on the market can save as much as one-third of the energy used when cooking atop the stove.
- Check your oven door seal for cracks or tears. Even a small or gap allows considerable heat to escape. It also pays to keep the seal clean, for better heat retention.
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PRACTICAL TIPS: David Goldbeck wrote The Smart Kitchen, a delightful volume of useful advice. Here are a few of his energy-saving tips for stove and range.
- If you use glass or ceramic baking dishes, you can lower the baking temperature 25°, since these materials retain heat better than others.
- Use the right size pan for the job. Flat bottoms are best, particularly for electric and smooth cooktops.
- Thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator first to reduce cooking time.
- Lining the oven with foil can reduce indoor air pollution by keeping the interior clean. Before doing this, however, check the manual so as not to interfere with the oven's operation.
- Clean self-cleaning ovens immediately after use to take advantage of residual heat. First clean off what you can by hand to hasten the process.
- Don't cook with the door open. This common practice is quite wasteful.
- Do not preheat longer than necessary. Ten minutes should be sufficient. Preheating is not necessary when broiling.
- Make sure stovetop electric coils are working properly. A worn element is a real power drain.
- Put a lid on it. Lids help retain heat and speed cooking times.
- SOURCES The Smart Kitchen , by David Goldbeck. Ceres Press. Highly recommended. To order: Write to P.O. Box 87, Dept. ET, Woodstock NY 12498. $15.95, plus $2 for shipping and handling.
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