Equipment

There are several ways that you can save money when cooking by thinking about the equipment that you use and how you prepare your meals.

Using smaller and more energy efficient appliances can make a big difference.

Slow Cooker

Slowly cooking food, they use a small amount of electricity over a long period of time so are a great way to save energy especially when cooking roasts, curries and stews.

Using less energy than a standard oven, they can make even the cheapest cuts of meat tender. 

Slow cookers are great for batch cooking, you can prep several meals at once which can then be frozen saving time & money.

Air fryer

Small table top convection ovens, they cook faster and at lower temperatures than an oven so are a good alternative if you want to save money on energy costs.

For inspiration check out Jamie Oliver’s air fryer recipes.

Microwave

One of the cheapest ways to reheat or cook small portions of food quickly.

They are great for things like jacket potatoes that can take a long time in the oven. Start cooking them in the microwave and crisp up in an oven or air fryer.

Fancy a tasty pudding but haven’t got much time, why not try our Apple, chocolate and banana mug cake. For more fabulous quick and easy microwave recipes head over to BBC Good Food

Pressure cooker

Steam is trapped in a sealed pan, the increase in pressure raises the boiling point of water and food is cooked in a fraction of the time.

They are great for tougher cuts of meat and dried beans and pulses, resulting in tasty, tender food packed full of nutrients.

As less heat is lost in the cooking process it’s a more energy efficient way of cooking, helping you to save money.

Pressure cooker novice? Instant Pot have got some great tips to get you started.

Standard oven

We’ve got some great top tips to help you make the most of your oven and reduce the energy use

Before cooking:

  • Only pre-heat if absolutely necessary.

  • Defrost food first thoroughly in the fridge before cooking.

  • Where possible cut food into smaller pieces, they will cook faster and reduce the cooking time.

  • Cook several dishes at once, if you plan your meals you can batch cook and make the most of the time your oven is on.

  • Turn it off 5-10 minutes early, for dishes like casseroles, stews and pies the residual heat will continue to cook the food. For bread and cakes you’ll need to keep the oven on for the time listed in the recipe.

When cooking:

  • Don’t keep taking a peek, every time you open the door heat is lost and your oven uses more energy to get back to temperature.

  • Keep the door clean so you don’t have to keep opening it.

After cooking:

  • Utilise residual heat, once you have turned your oven off use the remaining heat to warm plates or add extra warmth to your kitchen.