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How to: Practice energy economy in the kitchen

By McClatchy-Tribune News Service, McClatchy-Tribune News Service, Source: MCT News Service

There's no shortage of information about saving on your energy bill. But did you ever think that those energy-saving tips would apply to how you cook?

Cooking habits can have a significant impact on energy efficiency. Here are a few ways to save energy while working in the kitchen:

_ Choose a cooking method that minimizes the area the must be heated.

_ Match pan size to the element area. For example, when using an electric cook top, a 6-inch pan on an 8-inch burner will waste more than 40 percent of the heat produced by the burner.

_ Go with flat-bottomed cookware. The ideal pan has a slightly concave bottom, which, when heated, expands and flattens out. An electric heating element is significantly less efficient if the pan does not have good contact with the element.

_ Use cookware made of a high-conductivity material. Copper-bottom pans, for instance, heat up faster than regular pans. In the oven, glass or ceramic pans are often better than metal pans.

_ Keep the stovetop clean. When burner pans become blackened from heavy use, they can absorb more heat than usual, reducing burner efficiency. A shiny stovetop will also reflect heat up to the cookware.

_ Reduce cooking time. Defrost frozen foods in the refrigerator before cooking. With conventional ovens, keep preheat time to a minimum.

_ Keep oven racks clear while cooking. Don't lay foil on the racks. Stagger multiple pans to improve airflow. Avoid peeking into the oven as you cook. On an electric burner or in the oven, turn off the heat just before the cooking is finished to prevent overcooking.

_ Plan a cooking job for future meals. Cooking double portions can eliminate the need for yet another night over the stove. All you'll need to do is reheat prepared food.

_ Use the self-cleaning option in an oven infrequently, and only after you've cooked a meal so it can use the residual heat.

Source: American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy

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Edited and compiled by Chuck Myers.