Recent Green Weeks:
October 10:
Repair Instead of Replacing
October 3:
Program Your Thermostat
September 26:
Dispose of Prescription Drugs Safely
September 19:
Give Carpooling a Try
September 12:
Set the Water Heater to 120 Degrees
September 5:
Cook More Efficiently
August 29:
Use Cold Water for Laundry
August 22:
Find New Uses for Old Phones
August 8:
"Bee" Kind to Pollinators: Limit or Avoid Pesticide Use
August 1:
Reduce Waste: End Junk Mail!
July 25:
Encourage Pollination: Help Bees!
July 18:
Use Less Oil: Walk or Bike at Least Once this Week Instead of Driving
July 11:
Water Lawns and Outdoor Plants in the Morning or Evening Only
July 4:
Practice Safe Souvenir Buying
June 20:
Reuse Paper Scraps
June 13:
Safely Dispose of Hazardous Wastes
June 6:
Give New Life to Old Stuff
May 30:
Make Your Own Non-Toxic Cleaners
May 23:
Find Ways to Consume Less
May 16:
Reuse your food scraps and yard waste: make compost!
May 9:
Make Sure Your Seafood's Sustainable
May 2:
Use a Low Flow Showerhead
April 25:
Reduce Weight in your Vehicle
April 18:
Use a Reusable Water Bottle
April 11:
Switch to Fluorescent Bulbs
April 4:
Buy in Bulk
March 28:
Unplug Your Appliances When They're Not in Use!
March 21:
Turn Off Your Engine Instead of Idling Your Car
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Cook More Efficiently
What to do:
Use a variety of tricks and techniques to reduce the energy you use to cook your food.
On the stovetop:
*Keep the burners and burner pans clean.
*Use the smallest burner you can.
*Use a pot that fits the burner and has a flat bottom to increase the surface area being heated.
*Cover pots to keep in heat.
In the oven:
*Cook multiple dishes at a time.
*Consider whether there's a smaller more efficient appliance (such as a toaster oven or crockpot) that could do the job.
*Use a thermometer to make sure the oven is cooking at the proper temperature.
*Don't open the oven door more than necessary while pre-heating or cooking.
Why it Helps the Earth:
Because power plants produce greenhouse gases and consume natural resources.
What the Research Says:
According to Energy Star, merely using the correctly sized pot for the burner saves enough energy to reduce the range's yearly operating cost by $ 36 (electric) or $ 18 (gas). The Rocky Mountain Institute's
Home Energy Brief # 8: Kitchen Appliances estimates it takes 100 more Watt-hours to boil water in a warped pan than in a flat one. It also provides a chart of the energy needed to prepare the same food using different cooking methods and appliances.
&nbs;Why it Helps You:
In addition to saving money on energy bills, cooking efficiently can help you make sure your food cooks quickly and at the proper temperature!
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Last Revision: September 5, 2010