Thanksgiving with Family & Friends The table is all set, the folding chairs are unfolded and the turkey is almost done... Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and for all those cooking for family and friends this time of year, please allow me to point out some energy saving steps to help lower your energy costs.
Since 1982, I have been answering questions about how to save energy and money when cooking and buying ovens. Below are just a few questions I will answer in this blog and in future postings.
- What is the best and most efficient way to bake?
- Is a window in the oven door necessary?
- Range top or wall oven, what is better?
- What is the difference between Convection or Conventional ovens?
- Do any wall ovens get the Energy Star rating?
Since 1982, I have been answering questions about how to save energy and money when cooking and buying ovens. Below are just a few questions I will answer in this blog and in future postings.
- What is the best and most efficient way to bake?
- Is a window in the oven door necessary?
- Range top or wall oven, what is better?
- What is the difference between Convection or Conventional ovens?
- Do any wall ovens get the Energy Star rating?
 Convection Oven Cooking something in the oven? You can shut off the oven a few minutes early if you leave the oven door closed so to finish cooking, thus saving some energy each time. |  Bake After Cooking Just cooked dinner? Bake your pie, cake or muffins now so that you don't have to pre-heat. This is the best time to do your baking while the oven is still hot and you are eating dinner. |
 Ceramic Cookware To save some energy each time you cook or bake, use ceramic or glass that is approved for oven use. Ceramic will retain heat better than metal, thus allowing you to lower your cooking temperature as much as 25 degrees F and still cook the food in the same amount of time. Glass and Ceramic made for oven use come in all shapes and sizes. So baking brownies or cooking chicken cutlets is no problem. |
What is the difference between
Convection ovens and Conventional ovens?
 Convection Oven Fan Convection Ovens use fans inside the ovens to circulate the heated air over the food and around the food. The black arrow in the photograph points to the fan in the rear of the oven. Convection ovens cook food faster and more evenly, thus saving up to 20% of the normal cooking time when compared to a Conventional oven. You may also find that recipes will cook just the same with the oven temperature up to 20 percent lower than normal suggested cooking temperature. |  Conventional Oven Conventional Ovens are traditionally found in most homes. Like Convection ovens, Conventional ovens use heat created by the consumption of gas or electricity. However, a Conventional oven can have the created heat blocked by pots and pans on the racks inside the oven. This can cause uneven cooking. Remember that heat rises, so foods on the top rack will cook faster. |
My next Blog posting on Appliances will cover what professional chefs prefer, what is the best type of oven for energy savings and answers to the rest of the questions at the top. A blessed and happy Thanksgiving everyone.
Bill Lauto, GTG
Bill Lauto, GTG
