Energy Saving Cooking: Natural Gas Stove and Oven Tips

Natural gas cooking is preferred by some cooks for speed and energy saving benefits. Not everyone is sold on the idea though, because some studies have shown that you can develop respiratory problems from cooking with natural gas. If you plan on renting an apartment with a gas range, then you’ll want to know some tips for how to be effective and efficient if you still decide to use one.

Preheat Oven

You’ll have to preheat the oven for at least five minutes before it reaches the desired baking temperature. For example, if a recipe calls for baking bread at 350 degrees, then you should preheat the oven at 350 degrees for at least 5 minutes. The time needed to preheat can fluctuate between five and ten minutes depending on the altitude where you live. Trial and error is really the best way to find out how long works best, but you could also see what the manufacturer recommends.

Cover Pots While Cooking

You’ll retain heat and reduce your cooking time if you cover pots while cooking. If you don’t, you’ll only waste gas and extend your cooking time and you won’t reap any energy saving benefits. The one exception to the rule is when you’re boiling water. You don’t need to cover a pot for that. If you need to see what’s going on inside the pot while you cook, purchase gas lids.

Clean Your Oven

Cleaning the oven is a chore that very few people enjoy doing. One motivating factor for getting it done often though, is that it boosts the energy efficiency of the oven. Dirt and grime makes the oven work harder than necessary. When you remove it, your oven won’t have to work as hard and your cooking time is shorter. You don’t have to use toxic chemicals to clean the oven either. Consider making your own solution of one part Borax and one part vinegar.

Match Pots to Burner Size

One way that you can lose energy, while cooking on a natural gas stove, is to use over-sized pots and pans for the burners. It takes more energy and more cooking time to get an even distribution. When you get the proper fit, the pot and foods in them will absorb more energy, which makes cooking more efficient.

Don’t Open and Close Oven Doors

The heat will escape when you open and close the door during cooking to check on the food. The purpose of the glass door and oven light is to avoid this practice. Take advantage of both to look at the progress of whatever it is you’re baking. When you keep the heat trapped in, you’ll avoid heat loss, and you’ll cook foods on time. What you can do while you preheat the oven is leave the door open for a few minutes. It prevents brown spots from forming on the windows, so you can see what’s going on inside the oven.

Cook Large Batches at a Time

Learning how to cook and freeze foods is a great energy saving strategy that will cut your food and energy bill. Rather than use the stove and oven to prepare meals as you need them, cook triple or more portions for use at later dates. You’ll end up using the gas stove and oven less, and you’ll save more money by buying food in bulk.

While there are energy saving benefits for using a natural gas stove and oven, don’t forget to explore further the health hazards. It may be better to use an electric range instead.