How to save energy with the electric oven: Practical tips

Did you know that the electric oven is one of the most energy-consuming appliances in a home? But don't worry, with a few practical tips, you can reduce your energy consumption and still cook all your favorite dishes.

How to save energy with the electric oven: Practical tips

It is not necessary to give up the electric oven to save energy. With small changes in cooking habits, you can see the difference in your electricity bill. We, as experts in energy saving, have put together some practical tips to help you save energy with your toaster oven.

Main Conclusions

• Choose the right oven size
• Preheat oven only when needed
• Take advantage of the residual heat from the oven
• Use suitable shapes and containers
• Avoid opening the oven door unnecessarily
• Use the automatic shutdown function
• Clean the oven regularly
• Use the cooking timer
• Take advantage of residual heat to defrost food
• Perform regular maintenance on the electric oven

Tip 1: Choose the right oven size

When it comes to saving energy with the electric oven, choosing the right size is crucial.

There is no need to resort to a large oven if you usually cook for a few people. In addition to wasting space, you will also be wasting energy, as the oven will need more time to heat up and maintain the proper temperature.

On the other hand, if you need to cook for a lot of people, a small oven may not be enough, which will make you need to use the oven for a longer time and, consequently, will use more energy.

Therefore, evaluate your needs and choose the proper size of electric oven, saving energy and time.

Remember: size doesn't matter, but it can make a big difference when it comes to saving energy.

Tip 2: Preheat the oven only when necessary

This is a simple tip, but that makes all the difference when it comes to saving energy with your toaster oven. We often preheat the oven long before we actually need to put the food in to bake. This only causes the oven to consume more energy unnecessarily.

The ideal is always to check the preparation time of recipes and preheat the oven just a few minutes before putting them to bake. That way, you avoid wasting energy and still ensure that your dishes are perfect.

Also, it's important to remember that preheating the oven for an extended period can also damage the appliance over time. Therefore, use this function with conscience and avoid leaving your electric oven on unnecessarily.

Don't waste energy by preheating the oven too many minutes before putting food in.

Tip 3: Take advantage of the residual heat from the oven

We've talked before about how oven preheating should only be done when necessary, but did you know you can take advantage of the oven's residual heat too?

That's right, after turning off the oven, it still maintains a high temperature for a while, which varies according to the model. So, why not take advantage of this heat to prepare other foods, such as browning pasta cheese or steaming vegetables?

In addition to saving energy, you still save time in the kitchen, being able to prepare several recipes at once!

But be careful: it is important to remember that not all foods can be prepared with the residual heat of the oven. Make sure the food does not need a specific cooking temperature before using it.

With this simple tip, you can save energy and even make your kitchen routine more efficient!

Tip 4: Use suitable shapes and containers

You know those refractories you inherited from your grandmother? They may even be beautiful and have sentimental value, but they are great villains of your energy consumption! Dark, deep pans absorb more heat, which means the electric oven has to work harder to reach the desired temperature.

For this reason, opt for clear and shallow molds, preferably with a non-stick coating, which facilitates cleaning and also helps save energy. Oh, and don't forget to buy the correct size pans for your toaster oven! Pans that are too large leave empty spaces that need to be heated, while pans that are too small can cause food to boil over.

recommended shapes	Not recommended ways

Also, remember that the choice of container is also important. Metal pans are good conductors of heat and can be used in recipes that require high heat. Glass or ceramic ones take longer to heat up, but keep the heat longer, which is ideal for recipes that need to cook for a longer period.

“It's no use putting a pie in the oven and, after a few minutes, realizing that it has overflowed and soiled the entire oven. Think of your choice of container as an investment in saving energy and time!”

Tip 5: Avoid opening the oven door unnecessarily

Now comes a tip that is so simple you might even think it's silly. But believe me, it's not! Avoiding opening your oven door unnecessarily is one of the most important things you can do to save energy.

After all, every time you open the oven door, heat escapes and the oven has to work harder to heat up again. So if you're always opening the door to check what's cooking, your oven is using more energy than it should.

Of course, we're not saying you should never open your oven door. Sometimes you need to check if a recipe is coming together or tweak something. But try to avoid doing this frequently and opt to use the oven's built-in light if you need to see how your food is doing.

And if you're one of those people who loves opening the oven just to smell the food, know that this isn't cool either. In addition to spending energy, you still run the risk of ending up burning yourself!

So, in short: avoid opening the oven door unnecessarily and you will see that your energy bill will be lower.

Tip 6: Use the automatic shutdown function

The automatic shut-off function is one of the best features of modern electric ovens. It allows the oven to stop heating when the programmed time is reached, saving energy. This means you don't have to worry about overheating your food and save money on your electric bill.

This is especially useful for recipes that require a specific cooking time. Simply program the required time and let the oven work on its own. It is important to emphasize that, even with the automatic shutdown function, it is essential to monitor the cooking process, especially in the final minutes.

Some models allow customization of the automatic shutdown function, allowing you to choose the shutdown time. This is especially useful for recipes that require a specific cooking time, such as cakes and roasts.

“With the automatic shut-off function, we save energy and can cook more safely. We always use this function for our roasts and have never had any overheating issues.”

Tip 7: Regularly clean the oven

Have you ever thought that the dirt accumulated in the electric oven can impair its functioning and, consequently, increase energy consumption? Yeah, keeping the oven clean can help save energy.

In addition, regular cleaning can also extend the life of the appliance and prevent the taste of food from being compromised.

To clean the electric oven, mix water, neutral detergent and baking soda in a container. Then apply the solution to the inside of the oven, avoiding the resistance, and let it act for a few minutes. Then remove the solution with a damp, clean cloth.

Precautions we should take:	What should we avoid:
Use gloves to protect your hands Read the manufacturer's manual instructions Only carry out cleaning when the oven is cold	Using abrasive products such as steel wool Apply the solution to the outside of the oven Allow the cleaning solution to flow into the heaters

Don't forget to also clean the accessories, such as the grids and baking sheets, to avoid the accumulation of dirt and food residues.

So, excited to leave the electric oven shining and save energy? Let's get our hands dirty!

Tip 8: Use the cooking timer

Who has never been distracted by something while preparing a recipe and ended up burning the dish in the electric oven? To avoid this type of setback, it is important to use the cooking timer that is built into many oven models.

Just set the desired time and the device will automatically turn off, preventing food from staying too long in the oven and ending up burnt. And the best: you can take advantage of this time to dedicate yourself to other activities, without worrying about preparing the meal.

Using the timer also helps save energy, as the oven will not run unnecessarily. In addition, it is a way to ensure that the oven temperature is correct, as many models have pre-programmed settings that can be selected directly on the timer.

“With the cooking timer, you avoid burning recipes and still save energy. Is it or is it not a marvel?”

Tip 9: Take advantage of residual heat to defrost food

It is not always necessary to use the microwave to defrost food. Make use of the residual heat from the electric oven for this task and save energy! Just take the still frozen food to the oven after finishing the preparation of some other recipe. The remaining heat is enough to thaw the item. In addition to being more economical, the end result will be much tastier, as the food will not be cooked unevenly, as in the microwave.

Tip 10: Perform regular maintenance on the toaster oven

It seems obvious, but we often forget to properly maintain our electrical appliances. To ensure your toaster oven is running efficiently and saving energy, it's important to carry out some regular checks and cleanings.

First, check the oven door seals and make sure there are no heat leaks. If so, replace seals immediately.

Then, check that the oven heaters are in good condition and without signs of damage or corrosion. If there are any signs of damage, it is essential to replace the heaters to ensure the furnace is operating at peak efficiency.

It is also important to regularly clean the interior of the oven, removing any buildup of dirt or food residue that may be interfering with the oven's performance. Also, clean oven trays and racks to ensure there are no obstructions that could affect air circulation and even heating of food.

Carrying out these regular checks and cleanings will ensure that your toaster oven is working at peak efficiency, saving energy and extending its lifespan.

Conclusion:

Saving electricity is always a good practice, not only to reduce the electricity bill, but also to preserve the environment. And now that you've learned some practical tips on how to save energy with your toaster oven, there's no excuse for continuing to waste electricity.

Remember to choose the right oven size, preheat it only when necessary, take advantage of residual heat, use suitable molds and containers, avoid opening the door unnecessarily, use the automatic switch-off function, regularly clean the oven, use the cooking timer, take advantage of the residual heat to defrost food and carry out regular maintenance on the electric oven.

By following these tips, not only will you save electricity, but you will also have a more efficient and durable electric oven. So, get to work and let's save energy together!

Common questions

How to save energy with the electric oven?

Here are some practical tips for saving energy with your toaster oven.