Cook up big flavour using less electricity
From breakfast to dessert and everything in between, small appliances save you energy and time while serving up delicious eats, again and again.
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How to cook efficiently with small appliances
Cooking with a small appliance uses up to 75% less energy than cooking the same meal with your oven or stovetop.
Almost any meal can be made in a small appliance. Do a quick online search for your favourite dish, and you'll be surprised at the ways it can be cooked using less energy. Give it a try and see if you can spot the difference in your usage by tracking it in MyHydro.
Here are some small appliances that will help you save time and money in the kitchen.
Slow cooker
The beauty of a slow cooker is delicious, flavourful meals that don't require you to stand over a hot stove for hours. This saves you a lot of time and reduces your home's energy use, too.
A slow cooker on for six hours uses 60% less electricity than an electric oven on for one hour. If you use one weekly, it can save you up to $21 a year.
Slow cooker meal ideas:
- Stew
- Lasagna
- Mac and cheese
- Pulled pork
- Curry
Air fryer
Air fryers provide a healthier and more energy-efficient frying option. They use hot air which cooks food faster with less energy. And because they don't use oil, your fried food contains a lot less calories.
Air fryers are also a great way to reheat leftovers and bring the original dish back to life, especially fried food.
Air fryer cooking ideas:
- Fried chicken
- Breads and biscuits
- Fish and chips
- Spring rolls
- Crispy vegetables
Watch Dave get a cooking lesson from fellow employee Andrea on how to make a traditional Mexican dish in an energy-efficient air fryer.
Blender
Blenders are the small appliance jack-of-all-trades. A blender can be used to create quick soups, sauces, and desserts that would otherwise take a long, slow simmer on the stovetop.
Toaster oven
Many recipes that can be made in a conventional oven are easily converted to a toaster oven in less time and using less energy.
Toaster oven cooking ideas:
- Small pizzas
- Hot sandwiches and quesadillas
- Roasted vegetables
- Toasted nuts
- Small batch cookies and muffins
Pressure cooker
A multi-use pressure cooker, such as an Instant Pot, is one small appliance that can be used for a number of functions, from sautéing to slow cooking and pressure cooking.
Its multifunctional capabilities do the job of many other appliances, saving you time, energy, and valuable counter space.
Pressure cooker meal ideas:
- Roasted chicken
- Ribs
- Pot roast
- Chili
- Cheesecake
Microwave
Microwaves use up to 80% less energy than the conventional oven. Plus, they get the job done way faster. Before turning on the oven to preheat, check to see if there is an energy-efficient microwave alternative for your recipe.
By making the microwave a go-to option in the summer, you can avoid heating up the kitchen when you’re trying to keep things cool and comfortable at home.
Microwave recipes to try:
- Scrambled eggs
- Salmon
- Risotto
- Cakes
Electric kettle
Boiling water in an electric kettle uses 50% less electricity than its stovetop counterpart.
Explore more tips
Stovetops and ovens
Learn how to serve up some energy savings when you’re buying or cooking with a stove or oven.
Learn more
