Savvy energy savers
ARE you coming to terms with April 1’s energy price hike by reducing your gas and electricity consumption? Because if you need to update your kitchen appliances, now is the time for energy-efficient replacements. For instance, full-surface induction hobs heat up pans but not the cooking surface, which makes them more energy-efficient than electric or gas hobs.
Microwave cooking could also reduce your energy use, which is why Lakeland has a new range of microwave-safe pans, poachers, stackable steamers and even a grill for making quick toasties.
The new kitchen must-have is the air fryer, though.They can cook food in minutes and use tiny amounts of oil, so they’re a much healthier way to fry chips, bacon and eggs or even small chickens.
Then there’s the growing popularity of hot water taps over kettles, which produce instant boiling hot water for tea, coffee or anything else but are more energy-efficient than boiling up cold water every time you want a hot drink.
GROHE Red has water at a temperature of 99C available at all times, with a smart child lock device and energy-saving holiday mode for when you’re away.
Not so stylish but much less expensive are thermal water boilers, which keep water hot enough for tea or coffee once plugged in. Coopers of Stortford has one with five temperature settings and a timer.
Finally, Everhot’s heat storage range cookers use half the energy of comparable products and can harness renewable energy. Its new Fandango Pink colourway would be a vibrant addition to any kitchen.