subject: Money-saving Tips When Buying And Using Gas Cookers [print this page] Gas cookers are a popular choice for many households as they are generally more energy efficient that electric cookers. This is because it is easy to control the temperature of the oven and hobs and less time is needed to allow them to warm up and cool down. Gas is a cheaper energy source than electricity, which is why it is the preferred choice for UK households when heating and cooking. The only downside is you must have a gas connection in your house before you can fit a gas cooker. If you do not have a gas connection this can be very costly to fit.
When choosing a new gas cooker it is important to select a size that is appropriate for your needs. For smaller households a standard oven, grill and four hobs should be more than sufficient. Those who love to cook or need to cater for a larger family may prefer a design that has two ovens, six hobs and a griddle pan. Temperature controls will vary from model to model and fan assisted ovens tend to cook the food quicker and more efficiently.
Always choose a good quality brand that will stand the test of time and operate efficiently. It may be tempting to go for the cheapest option but this does not always guarantee value for money because the design may not perform as efficiently and you could end up forking out for repair work or even a replacement a few years down the line. Remember to check the warranty period of your new purchase as good quality cookers tend to come with a longer warranty period.
There are some simple ways you can ensure you maximise efficiency of your gas cooker whilst cooking. Make sure that you select the correct sized hob for the appropriate sized pan to avoid wasting any heat.
When boiling food try to chop everything as small as possible. This increases the surface area of the food and speeds up the cooking process with less energy required. Using a lid on your pan will also help to retain heat and cook the food more quickly. You should also boil the water you need in a kettle first as kettles are more energy efficient and require less energy to boil water than cookers.
When cooking food from frozen try to defrost your food in the microwave first. Microwaves are more energy efficient than cookers so if you can use them for at least part of the preparation of your meal then you should save a little on your energy bills.
