Top 20 tips for a greener kitchen

liltbrockie

1. Invest in some quality pots and pans… although more expensive in the short term, higher quality pots and pans will retain the heat much better enabling you to cook for longer with the residual heat they can provide.
2. Induction hobs… again, a bit more pricey that gas hobs but this new technology is a lot more efficient than gas hobs and safer than standard electric hobs as the hob itself doesn’t get so hot.
3. Re use your shopping bags! Get a good quality shopping bag to take to the supermarket.. many retailers will reward you for it!
4. Hemp textiles..A green alternative to Cotton… next time you need a new apron consider one made from hemp.
5. Avoid kitchen gadgets if you can!.. Maybe there’s something a bit more rewarding about mixing that cake mix yourself?!
6. Buy locally and seasonally… This will often result in fresher produce and it may well be a cheaper way to buy!
7. Get a solar oven!.. Obviously going to be more useful in sunny locations but these ovens do work brilliantly and its completely free!
8. Bacon.. Cook it in the microwave. In fact it is more efficient to cook most things in the microwave.
9. Avoid keeping fridge and freezer doors open for too long.. they consume a lot of energy getting back down to temperature.
10 …And if you have a non frost free freezer keep it defrosted regularly!
11. Filter your water… It’s a lot cheaper and better on the environment compared to buying bottled water all the time.
12. Reduce food waste… Cook only for however many people are eating… if you make more, freeze the left overs.
13. Re use containers… Glass Jars and food cartons can be reused to store other foods/ mixes etc..
14. Don’t run your fridge too cold.. the optimum temperature is about 4-5C.
15. Grow your own. The ultimate eco warrior will be doing this… It’s free, there’s no wasted trips to the supermarket, no wasted packaging materials.. perfect! Get out there and grow something!
16. Compost all your waste. A compost bin is great especially if you are following the above tip!
17. If you are going to use toxic substances for cleaning.. make sure you dispose of them separately as they should not be land filled.
18. Use LED or Compact Fluorescent light bulbs.
19. Be prepared and defrost items in the fridge rather than Microwaving them.
20. Tiered steamers are an excellent healthy way to cook and require very little energy.

Dreaming_debtfree_dreams

This might sound abit ming, but I always save the water I run in the kitchen from washing my hands, and left over dish water to rinse out the recycling. Gets the recycling clean enough so it's useable and saves running fresh water

InaPickle

Great ideas! I'm also starting to make my own cleaning & laundry products from natural ingredients. It is better for the environment as they are biodegradeable, and should work out cheaper than buying ready-made stuff from the supermarket as well. Result!

Volcano

liltbrockie wrote: »

17. If you are going to use toxic substances for cleaning.. make sure you dispose of them separately as they should not be land filled.

Could you give an example of these and how they should be disposed of?

A_fiend_for_life

OP You should cite that it is from Jamie Oliver's website:

http://www.jamieoliver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=47574

InaPickle

Oh, by the way I have been making up some green recipies which require 'white vinegar' and I have got a big bottle of clear coloured distilled malt vinegar in the house. Is this the same as white vinegar and do you think I can use it?

Volcano

InaPickle wrote: »

Oh, by the way I have been making up some green recipies which require 'white vinegar' and I have got a big bottle of clear coloured distilled malt vinegar in the house. Is this the same as white vinegar and do you think I can use it?

Yes and yes.

InaPickle

Brilliant - thanks Volcano!

Tamsin_Temrin

Brown vinegar - white vinegar with dye.

So, how do you get the stains from brown vinegar out of clothes?

blue_ashleigh

Is cotton not environmentally friendly?
(A new trying-to-be-more-green MSE'r... be gentle!)

Tamsin_Temrin

I think that loads of cotton is not grown sustainably - lots of irrigation taking water away from food crops, lots of chemicals sprayed everywhere. This is why you see organic cotton. I think there is more, no idea about the details.

I haven't started worrying about cotton yet, still trying to get a handle on my kitchen and being green there.

No way am I going near a mooncup.