Save Energy When Cooking and Baking | Energy Efficiency Agency Dublin

Did you know that cooking and baking makes up 3% of the total energy we use in our homes in Ireland? While it might not sound like much, many of us are using cookers, microwaves, food processors and lots of other appliances and gadgets to prepare and cook our food each day. What’s more, as we spend more time at home due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are cooking and baking now more than ever. The good news is that there are lots of simple things we can do to save energy when channelling our inner MasterChefs, and this will help to keep those energy bills low as well!

So what are Codema’s top tips for saving energy when cooking and baking at home? Here’s some we prepared earlier...

Keep it shut

Don’t open your oven door too often during cooking times, as you can lose up to 20% of the oven’s heat when you do this.

Don’t open your oven door too often during cooking times, as you can lose up to 20% of the oven’s heat when you do this. read less

Cook in batches

Batch cook meals together, such as a vegetable lasagne and apple pie. This will reduce the amount of energy your oven uses, and let’s be honest, who’s gonna... read more

Batch cook meals together, such as a vegetable lasagne and apple pie. This will reduce the amount of energy your oven uses, and let’s be honest, who’s gonna complain when the dessert is ready at the same time as the main course! read less

Use that heat

Make use of residual heat (this is heat that has built up) by turning off the oven for the last few minutes of cooking time. When finished, you can leave the... read more

Make use of residual heat (this is heat that has built up) by turning off the oven for the last few minutes of cooking time. When finished, you can leave the oven door open to heat your room. read less

Size it up

Use pots and pans that cover the whole of the size of the cooker ring. When you are almost done, turn off the rings and use the heat that has built up so far to... read more

Use pots and pans that cover the whole of the size of the cooker ring. When you are almost done, turn off the rings and use the heat that has built up so far to finish cooking. read less

Put a lid on it

Use lids on pots and pans while cooking. This will speed up cooking time and save energy.

Use lids on pots and pans while cooking. This will speed up cooking time and save energy. read less

Boil, baby, boil

Boil the water in your kettle before using it for cooking. This will speed up cooking time.

Boil the water in your kettle before using it for cooking. This will speed up cooking time. read less

Timing is key

Make sure that you have all your timings down to a tee so that you aren’t turning on ovens or other appliances any longer than you need to.

Make sure that you have all your timings down to a tee so that you aren’t turning on ovens or other appliances any longer than you need to. read less

Be prepared

Get all your ingredients ready at once so that you are not constantly opening and closing your fridge and freezer, as this will use up more energy.

Get all your ingredients ready at once so that you are not constantly opening and closing your fridge and freezer, as this will use up more energy. read less

Weigh it all up

Carefully weigh out all your ingredients to reduce food waste.

Carefully weigh out all your ingredients to reduce food waste. read less

Plan your meals

Making a meal plan for the week will help you to cook three or four dishes in one go. This will reduce the amount of energy your oven uses and you can then... read more

Making a meal plan for the week will help you to cook three or four dishes in one go. This will reduce the amount of energy your oven uses and you can then freeze these dishes and defrost when you need them. read less

Protect the mess

It’s fun to get messy when you're cooking and baking but remember to protect your clothes with an apron to cut down on that washing load!

It’s fun to get messy when you're cooking and baking but remember to protect your clothes with an apron to cut down on that washing load! read less

Toast, don't grill

Use the toaster instead of the grill for toasting bread.

Use the toaster instead of the grill for toasting bread. read less

Use appliances correctly

Be clever about how you use kitchen appliances, such as a food processor or sandwich maker. Make sure to only use them at the correct temperature and for the... read more

Be clever about how you use kitchen appliances, such as a food processor or sandwich
maker. Make sure to only use them at the correct temperature and for the required amount of time. read less

Microwave for small amounts

Use a microwave for smaller meal amounts instead of using your oven or stove.

Use a microwave for smaller meal amounts instead of using your oven or stove. read less

Keep your oven clean

Cleaning your oven isn’t the most exciting task but keeping it clean will help to reduce cooking time, as the cleaner your oven is, the quicker it can reach... read more

Cleaning your oven isn’t the most exciting task but keeping it clean will help to reduce cooking time, as the cleaner your oven is, the quicker it can reach the desired temperature. read less

Replace oven door seals

Replace the door seals of your oven if they are worn, split or broken, as this can decrease the efficiency of your oven.

Replace the door seals of your oven if they are worn, split or broken, as this can decrease the efficiency of your oven. read less

Slow and steady

Consider using a slow cooker or pressure cooker as they save both energy and time while producing great food.

Consider using a slow cooker or pressure cooker as they save both energy and time while producing great food. read less

Need all those gadgets?

When baking, ask yourself if you really need so many gadgets (food processor, electric whisk, etc.). Baking by hand is a more traditional method and is often... read more

When baking, ask yourself if you really need so many gadgets (food processor, electric whisk, etc.). Baking by hand is a more traditional method and is often more enjoyable! read less

Time yourself

Use the timer on your mobile phone to track the cooking time so you are not using your oven and hob more than you need to. It will prevent you from burning your... read more

Use the timer on your mobile phone to track the cooking time so you are not using your oven and hob more than you need to. It will prevent you from burning your food as well! read less

Fill that dishwasher

Run your dishwasher on the eco setting and ensure it is always full before you turn it on. If you can, turn off the dishwasher before the drying cycle and let... read more

Run your dishwasher on the eco setting and ensure it is always full before you turn it on. If you can, turn off the dishwasher before the drying cycle and let the dishes air dry instead. read less

Cool it

Cool hot food before putting in the fridge or freezer, otherwise these appliances will have to work harder to cool it down.

Cool hot food before putting in the fridge or freezer, otherwise these appliances will have to work harder to cool it down. read less

Only boil what you need

Boil only as much water as you need to steep pots, etc. when you are cleaning up. Better still, invest in an eco-kettle, which will help you boil only as much... read more

Boil only as much water as you need to steep pots, etc. when you are cleaning up. Better still, invest in an eco-kettle, which will help you boil only as much water as you need. read less

Freeze those leftovers

Make sure to freeze those leftovers to use another day. Not only are you cutting down on food waste, but keeping your freezer full is more energy-efficient.

Make sure to freeze those leftovers to use another day. Not only are you cutting down on food waste, but keeping your freezer full is more energy-efficient. read less

Set fridge/freezer at right temperature

If you are storing leftovers in your fridge or freezer, make sure these appliances are at the right temperature setting. Your fridge should be set between 3-5... read more

If you are storing leftovers in your fridge or freezer, make sure these appliances are at the right temperature setting. Your fridge should be set between 3-5 degrees and your freezer should be between -15 and -18 degrees. You can use our Fridge-Freezer Thermometer in our Home Energy Saving Kit (available to borrow from over 100 libraries in Ireland) to measure this. read less