Five Ways to Keep Your Kitchen Green
November 14, 2009
•Le Cordon Bleu
•Austin
• 0 Comments
There is no doubt that green cooking techniques will protect the environment from things like greenhouse gasses and excess waste. But did you know that some of these green practices will improve your life on a day-to-day basis? It’s true! Here’s how.
#1 - Spend Less Time Cooking and More Time Playing
A pot of water will boil twice as fast if you cover the pot with a lid. A microwave can heat food in much less time than an oven or stove top. On top of that, a microwave uses 2/3 less energy than a conventional oven.
When you cook, make more than you need for that one meal. Then, reheat the food as leftovers in a microwave or toaster oven. Not only are you saving energy, but you are saving time too!
#2 - Spend Money to Save Money
An induction oven and range is a popular new cooking technology that may cost two to four times more than a gas or electric range, but transfers more heat in less time than the alternatives. With induction, the unit itself and the metal pots and pans heat up very quickly and also cool very quickly once induction stops.
#3 - Pre and Post Heat
Instead of having your oven on for 30 minutes, try 20 minutes instead. Since, most new stoves don’t require much time to pre-heat, if any time at all, there’s no need to wait five or ten minutes before putting in your food. On the other hand, food will still cook once the stove is turned off. Consider turning the stove off five minutes early allowing the food to finish up cooking in the lingering heat.
#4 - A Clean Kitchen is a Happy Kitchen
Thoroughly scrub your burners, grease catchers, stove, and cookware. When the metal is clean, more light and heat will reflect speeding up the cooking process. When your cookware and appliance are clear of grease and food, you also make sure your cookware makes direct contact with the heat source.
Whenever possible, avoid using toxic chemicals in the kitchen. Lukewarm water with vinegar or lemon can clear up odors and stains.
#5 - Think Long Term, Buy Nice or Pay Twice
There’s no sense in buying low-quality cookware and utensils that will only be thrown away and replaced a short time later. Purchase stainless steel and cast iron pots and pans as well as high-quality baking dishes and utensils. Not only will your cooking materials make your life in the kitchen easier, but you’ll prevent filling up those landfills too.
This article is presented by The Texas Culinary Academy. The Texas Culinary Academy offers Le Cordon Bleu culinary education classes and culinary training programs in Austin, Texas. To learn more about the class offerings, please visit Chefs.edu/Austin for more information.
TCA does not guarantee employment or salary.