Accidental savings when cooking

[disneysteve]

I accidentally discovered a way to reduce energy costs when cooking the other night. I was baking our homemade pizzas. I put them in the oven and set the timer for 5 minutes, half the baking time. When the timer went off, I rotated the pizzas in the oven and set the timer for the other 5 minutes. When the time was up, I went back to take them out and discovered that when I rotated them, I also accidentally turned off the oven. Guess what. The pizzas were done just fine from the retained heat in the oven. So from now on, I plan to do the same thing. Heat up the oven and just use that retained heat to finish the cooking.

[ozzy gurl]

Re: Accidental savings when cooking

Yup. That's why it's so important to only open the door when you absolutely have to. It's a great tip!

[pretty cheap jewelry]

Re: Accidental savings when cooking

Hmmm, this may work for casseroles, etc but not for cookies and cakes.

Everyone cooks multiple things in the oven when the menu calls for them, right? Even if it's different times and temps it can work. For example, chicken nuggets and french fries can be done together.

And finally, leave the door open to heat the house a little when the oven is off.

[RJB1180]

Re: Accidental savings when cooking

Just remember that you don't need to preheat either, although I don't know if it would work with OP's tip

[jodi]

Re: Accidental savings when cooking

I never preheat with dinners (i.e. casseroles, meats), but I always do with baking.

And we always leave the door open when we're done cooking. I'll have to try Disneysteve's tip though

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Re: Accidental savings when cooking

Similarly, steamed vegetables don't need to have the water boiling all the way up to the point that you pull them from the stove. Let the water boil 2-5 minutes (depending on vegetable) with a lid on the pot. Turn off the heat, leave the lid on. They will be done in a couple more minutes. It takes some experimenting to figure the best amount of time to boil the water under them and when they will be done to your liking. My Mom is a master at perfectly steaming vegetables this way.

[disneysteve]

Re: Accidental savings when cooking

Similarly, steamed vegetables don't need to have the water boiling all the way up to the point that you pull them from the stove.

I always used to cook hot dogs this way (now I nuke them). Bring the water to a boil. Cover the pot and turn off the heat. Wait about 5 minutes and they're done.

[jodi]

Re: Accidental savings when cooking

I remember reading in Tightwad Gazette about cooking pasta this way (boiling the water, adding the pasta, then turing off the heat and covering the pot). Anyone try this?

[frugalmomof1]

Re: Accidental savings when cooking

I remember reading in Tightwad Gazette about cooking pasta this way (boiling the water, adding the pasta, then turing off the heat and covering the pot). Anyone try this?

I don't do it this way, but I always add uncooked pasta to the water right away instead of waiting for it to boil.

[trillium]

Re: Accidental savings when cooking

I know boiled eggs work this way - once the eggs go in turn off the heat.

[Scanner]

Re: Accidental savings when cooking

I hate to tell you and burst your frugal bubbles here, but this only works during the winter and it has to do with one of Newton's Laws:

All energy is conserved, neither created or destroyed.

When you heat the oven, you heat the air inside, plus the metal, which is then contained in insulation. When you turn it off, very slowly, the heat dissipates into the surroundings.

So. . .your heater. to keep your house at 65 degrees. actually had to work extra to keep the house warm because you weren't running the oven for that 5 minutes.

Now, in the summer, where you have the air conditioner working against the oven, this is a smart thing to do. By all means, turn the oven off as soon as possible.

See? I can be a frugal nerd too.

But here's a tip on the same note: Wait til your bath water goes cold in the winter before you drain it. The heat will radiate into the surroundings and make your heater work a tiny bit less. We usually wait a day before we drain dirty bath water.

In the summer. . .let the hot water drain as quickly as you can. Try not to do baths in the summer (hard for kids. . .so just drain it quick).

[MonkeyMama]

Re: Accidental savings when cooking

I never preheat with dinners (i.e. casseroles, meats), but I always do with baking.

And we always leave the door open when we're done cooking. I'll have to try Disneysteve's tip though

I just had to laugh when I saw this - my dh is anal about the preheat and I never use it. But I Admit I probably do with cookies, got to at least let it let 1/2 way first...

Of course mostly because I don't see the point, no frugal aim - but the preheat discussion has gotten heated in our house - like many things we agree to disagree. Guess I am not the only one.

Now I have energy savings on my side -

[MonkeyMama]

Re: Accidental savings when cooking

Interesting perspective Scanner.

[rob62521]

Re: Accidental savings when cooking

I know boiled eggs work this way - once the eggs go in turn off the heat.

That's how Rachel Ray says to do them!

[creditcardfree]

I remember reading in Tightwad Gazette about cooking pasta this way (boiling the water, adding the pasta, then turing off the heat and covering the pot). Anyone try this?

I've done this and it does work!