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Small appliance cooking hacks

Our top tips for saving while you cook.

Get a multi-use pressure cooker

A multi-use pressure cooker, such as an Instant Pot, is one small appliance that can be used for a number of functions, from sautéing, to slow cooking, and pressure cooking.

Pressure cooker hacks

  • Pre-freeze meals and cook from frozen

  • Stack items to cook multiple things at once

  • Pop popcorn (healthier than the microwave version, and less energy than the stove)

  • One pot meals

  • Convert all your favourite recipes to the instant pot

Try this Instant Pot spaghetti bolognese recipe

Use a toaster oven

Toaster ovens can function exactly like a regular oven, while using less energy.

Toaster oven hacks

  • Baked eggs in individual ramekins

  • Put the rack up and the tray below to cook two things at once

  • Cook bacon on a tray in the oven

  • Use a 6 cup muffin tray for muffins, cupcakes, or even mini frittatas

Try this frittata recipe

Try an air fryer

By frying with hot air instead of oil, air fryers provide a faster, healthier way to enjoy your favourite fried foods. They also use less electricity. But they can also do all kinds of other things.

Air fryer hacks

  • Homemade potato chips

  • Cookies - just make sure you use an air fryer-specific recipe!

  • Roasted pumpkin seeds

  • Perfect hard boiled eggs (but without the boiling)

  • Donuts and bagels - yes, really!

Try this 2-ingredient bagel recipe

Don't forget the microwave

We know that microwaves are quick, but don’t always think of them as a way to make tasty food. Less energy doesn’t have to mean less taste.

Microwave hacks

  • Corn on the cob

  • Every kind of egg – hardboiled, scrambled, even poached!

  • Dessert in a mug – individual serving sizes, save time and energy

  • Microwaving lemons or limes for a few seconds make them easier to juice

  • Microwaving garlic makes for easy peeling

Try this chocolate mug cake recipe

Poll

Which small appliance are you going to use more often?

  • Pressure cooker
  • Toaster oven
  • Microwave
  • Air fryer

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Run your dishwasher full

True or False

Chest-styled freezers are more energy efficient than upright freezers

True! Chest-styled freezers use up to 51% less energy than upright freezers.

Quick tip

Try lowering your thermostat to 18°C when active

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Try lowering your thermostat to 18°C for activities like cooking or housework to save on heating costs.

Quick tip

Use task lighting and save

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Turn off ceiling lights and use table lamps, track lighting and under-counter lights in work and hobby areas as well as in kitchens. You could save up to $6 a year when you focus your lighting to your task.