Avoid using Gas and Electricity

enabledebra

Ah- yes of course. I think I need to make sure I don't focus on obscure ideas (eg I'm just googling vacuum cooking) and remember some things are just fuel light already so thanks for the reminder.

Mojisola

Keep it simple - you're more likely to continue doing things if they're easy.

I'm sure there will be loads of other advice but I'll also add to do batch cooking so that when the oven does get heated up, you're getting several meals cooked at once. It also means that you'll have something homemade in the freezer for when you're in a rush or you don't feel like cooking. Much cheaper than getting a takeaway!

torbrex

I do the turn off thing with eggs where I turn off as soon as the water is boiling and just leave them in the water (I like my eggs hard boiled)
and to a certain extent tatties as well, I put the lid on the pan after about 10 minutes and turn the gas off and leave for another 15 minutes (or less if they are new tatties)

enabledebra

Mojisola wrote: »

Keep it simple - you're more likely to continue doing things if they're easy.

I'm sure there will be loads of other advice but I'll also add to do batch cooking so that when the oven does get heated up, you're getting several meals cooked at once. It also means that you'll have something homemade in the freezer for when you're in a rush or you don't feel like cooking. Much cheaper than getting a takeaway!

Yes- you're right again about keeping it simple, I'm likely to go overboard for a couple of weeks and then go back to my usual ways if it's a hassle. I'll do some more searching on the board and try to get some 'normal' meal plans together. I'm just overly keen as the only gas use we don't already take care over is cooking and I'm perplexed at the bill we've just had for summer months!

Mojisola

enabledebra wrote: »

I'm just overly keen as the only gas use we don't already take care over is cooking and I'm perplexed at the bill we've just had for summer months!

Are you sure you haven't got a little leak somewhere? Have you looked at your meter when the oven isn't on?

enabledebra

No leak as far as I can tell, unless it's very small. I've checked the meter but I'll check usage over the next few days/weeks and if it still seems unusual I'll call them out- it is metered use that's increased more than unit cost so I suppose I could have a faulty meter or leak possibly.

Ilona

I don't use my oven at all, and I don't want to spend time in the kitchen doing batch cooking. I steam my veg all together in the one pan. I don't eat meat though I sometimes grill a veggie burger. In winter I use one gas ring to make a three day stew in a big pan, then microwave day 2 and day 3 portions.
Ilona

enabledebra

Oh dear, I've been rubbish at this. Things I have but never use- slow cooker, microwave, tiered steamer.

[Deleted User]

I have an electric oven but since buying a remoska a couple of years ago my bills have dropped quite a bit.I only use my big oven on a Sunday morning when I am baking for the week the rest of the time as its only me to feed I manage with the 'moska,m'wave and my SC.My duel fule bill for the whole of last year was just under £600.00 and I have gas central heating as well

camNolliesMUMMY

I have a george foreman I make chips on it as I don't own a chip fryer nd prefer oven chips, I have done chicken nuggets on it etc it heats up quick and mine has a timer on it. I use this instead of a BBQ too so I know I won't give anyone food poisoning.
Slow cooker I use to do a whole chicken for Sunday lunch, I also make curries stews, my piri piri chicken, lasagne.
If I do use the oven I turn it off 10 mins before I'm due to take the food out.
Hope this helps