Cooking TipsThink Small For Kitchen Savings
It seems as if the cost of living just keeps going up and our paychecks aren"t. With the increases we are seeing in grocery bills, gasoline prices and utilities, every little bit helps when it comes to cutting back expenses.
One way to save in the kitchen is to practice cooking minimalism. Use as small a pan, oven, water and cooking time as possible to get your food prepared. Don"t take repeated looks into the oven while cooking. Here are some ways to cut costs in the kitchen:
1. Use the smallest possible appliance. Microwaves, toaster ovens and electric frying pans use about half the wattage as a full size oven does.
2. Use the smallest pan possible and make sure the gas flame or electric burner doesn"t extend past the edges of the pan.
3. Use a lid when cooking with a pan. Cooking without a lid can triple your energy costs.
4. Defrost items in the refrigerator before cooking them.
5. Stagger the placement of your pans in the oven to ensure good air flow. Don"t line your oven racks with foil.
6. Use glass or ceramic pans which use less heat for cooking.
7. When cooking, make double portions and freeze half of it. Reheating will take less energy than cooking from scratch.
8. When using a microwave, place food near the outer edges of the rotating tray for faster cooking and less energy use.
9. Keep your oven and stove top clean. When food gets cooked on surfaces it will absorb the heat and cut energy efficiency.
Following these easy tips can help you to cut back on your utility expenses without sacrificing the pleasure of having great meals at home.