Cooking and energy use - best methods to reduce costs?

TadleyBaggie

I bought a Ninja 7in1 (air fryer, pressure cooker, etc) a couple of years ago, use it instead of the main oven as it uses way less power.

RobM99

Steamer, do everything at once (within limits!).

Northern_Wanderer

wild666 said:

I recently bought a Ninja 11-1 air fryer, steamer and pressure cooker. I cooked a gammon joint in it on Friday but have been using it every day since I bought it. I already had a 6L prestige pressure cooker that won't be used any more. 

That's the one I viewed, the 6L for upto 4 people. How much can you fit in the basket/ rack for air frying? I'm not sure it's big enough for say a veg/ potatoes and fish for over 2 people??? Also looking at the Ninja Foodi 14-1 7.5L.

northwalesd

Sea_Shell said:

Norman_Castle said:

I've started soaking pasta for a hour or two before cooking it. I tried this because I go camping and have a limited gas supply. I put cold water in a saucepan, add the pasta and a bit of oil then leave it to soak. I haven't tried different times and I often forget although when I forget I put the pasta into the cold water straight away rater than waiting for it to boil. If the pasta is soaked its softened and ready to eat almost as soon as the water boils. This saves leaving it simmering for 10+ minutes.

Biggest problem is remembering to do this hours before I plan to eat.

Is it really that simple???   

Sounds like great idea, as we always know what we're having for main lunch, so "pasta days" can easily be planned for.

Does whole-wheat pasta need longer?

Is it trial and error to see what timings work best?

I gave it a try yesterday (remembering @Norman_Castle's post) I left about 150g of pasta (not wholemeal) in a jug of water for around 4 hours, pulling a piece out it felt 'part cooked'. Put it on to boil, about a minute after it came to the boil I pulled a piece out of the pan, cooked perfectly (well for me at least). Great tip.

wolvoman

OP, biggest moneysaving would be to defer the kitchen refurb for a year or two, which would more than cover your oven’s higher running costs.

Northern_Wanderer

wolvoman said:

OP, biggest moneysaving would be to defer the kitchen refurb for a year or two, which would more than cover your oven’s higher running costs.

Perhaps, it's already been delayed a few years because of the P word. I've put up with the rubbish oven and ancient kitchen for 5 years, had enough of it now. Nobody knows how much more the costs will be in a few years.

Northern_Wanderer

Just an update, I bought the Ninja 11 in 1 multi-cooker, been using it a month now. My monthly electric usage is down by around 70kwh. I have been trying to save energy in general but am convinced the Ninja is the main energy saver for me. I have hardly used my hob or oven since getting it. I really love it, cooks everything perfectly and so quick. I'm mostly using the pressure cooker but air-fryer is fab too.

Thanks to you guys (and a slight accident with the microwave) I am looking at combination microwave ovens for the kitchen refit which I am definitely going to do now before it becomes completely unaffordable.

QrizB

Northern_Wanderer said:

Just an update, I bought the Ninja 11 in 1 multi-cooker, been using it a month now. My monthly electric usage is down by around 70kwh. I have been trying to save energy in general but am convinced the Ninja is the main energy saver for me.

Wow that's quite some saving! Glad to hear that it's working out so well for you.

Vegastare

Well I bought a new slow cooker - first time used and did whole chicken - looked online to ensure it was more roasted than the stewed whole chicken Mum did.....said don't add water to my horror had one stewed chicken sitting in excess liquor....but as I have a Panasonic combi and microwave me thinks will try chicken in that rather than the main oven.  Even Hubby declined chicken sarnies for work today.

Percypeeved

If I am doing something like a stew, pasta dish, cottage pie or a dish that can be reheated in the microwave, I make double, chill and refrigerate half and have it the next day or day after. Saves on energy and washing up.