Save energy while enjoying cooking this summer

Posted by Guest Blogger on June 7, 2012

Summer has finally arrived! Even though we did have a decent winter, for me, it seemed like summer couldn’t come fast enough. Maybe it’s the trees, or the birds singing, or the fact that it’s only nice outside in Minnesota for about six weeks a year, but everyone seems to be jumping at the chance to get outside.

While you’re enjoying the summer weather, keep these cooking tips in mind. In addition to saving energy, most of them will help you spend more time outside and enjoy the warm weather.

1. Keep your fridge full. A full fridge uses less energy than an empty fridge.
2. Avoid using your stove, and try to use your microwave more for cooking. Microwaves use half as much energy as a stove and won’t heat up your house.
3. If you have to use your stove, don’t repeatedly peek at what you’re baking. Opening the oven door or lifting a lid on a covered pot wastes a lot of energy.
   
4. Cook more meals outside. Have you ever tried cooking a pizza on a grill? It actually tastes much better on the grill than when you make it in the oven.
   
5. Do you have a fire pit? Invest in a tripod cooking grate. You can cook almost anything on these grates, and they are easy to clean. However, if you’re making breakfast outside, don’t make eggs. Eggs do NOT cook well on grates; trust me.
   
6. Buy pie irons. By putting bread on the inside of this gadget and adding your favorite toppings (like pepperonis, cheese and pizza sauce, or even apple slices and cinnamon sugar for a dessert), you can have a quick, easy and energy-efficient meal.
   
7. Plan ahead when preparing for your meals. Make sure you have propane or fire wood and all of your ingredients before starting the meal. Running back to the store will waste time and energy.
   
8. If you plan on using something in your freezer for dinner in the evening, pull it out of the freezer that morning. By defrosting frozen foods in the sink during the day, you can avoid using excess energy when preparing your meals.
   
9. Lastly, remember to let leftovers cool down before putting them in the fridge. This will help your fridge work more efficiently.

Now you have some ideas for getting out of the house and saving some money. The less time you spend inside cooking in the kitchen, the less your air conditioner has to run. Finally, while you’re having some good outdoor family bonding time, your TV and lights will be off, saving you even more on your electric bills.