ELECTRIC, GAS & INDUCTION HOBS

“An induction hob uses energy more e ciently than either a gas hob or electric ceramic hob,” says Seymour – regardless of what you’re cooking. This is because no energy is wasted, only heating the space around the pan. Electric hobs are your next best bet in terms of e ciency, because when you’re cooking with gas “a significant amount of heat is lost to heating up your kitchen, rather than your food.” That said, electricity is more expensive than gas, so a gas hob may save you a few pounds a year. It’s also worth bearing in mind, from a cost and waste perspective, that if you change to induction, you’ll have the upfront cost of replacing your pans with induction-compatible ones.

The same rule applies to ovens as to hobs: gas is cheaper than electric, but electric is more e„cient. In either case, if you’re reheating food, the Energy Saving Trust recommends using a microwave, particularly if it has a good energy rating. “They are more e„cient than electric or gas ovens.” Seymour agrees: “Using your oven every day can be a real drain on power, and therefore finances,” she says, but if you do have to use an oven (and there are of course certain things that necessitate it) there are ways to maximise your energy e„ciency. Avoid storing baking trays in the oven, “as this limits the flow of air and increases cooking times,” says Seymour – and don’t forget to deep-clean it. A clean oven “will reach the desired temperature faster as well as distribute heat in a much better, more e„cient way compared to a dirty oven,” she explains.