Energy Saving Kitchen Appliances For A Greener Lifestyle in Singapore
PUBLISHED April 17th, 2023 06:00 am | UPDATED April 25th, 2023 10:16 am
Falling on 22 April, Earth Day is a reminder that all of us play an important role in slowing the degradation to our environment. As this day draws near, there’s no better time to relook at our way of life and consider how we may make small but impactful changes. This time, we look at the heart of the home – the kitchen. Kitchen appliances make our lives simpler, and the good news is that choosing the right type of energy saving kitchen appliances can help you cut your energy without losing style or functionality.
Energy-saving appliances use the least amount of energy to complete a specific function. Look out for the number of ticks on the energy label, and also consider the product’s life cycle costs (purchase price plus cost of energy over its lifespan). Besides opting for appliances that use less energy, it’s essential to consider your usage – for example, buying the smallest fridge that meets your usage. Here are some energy saving kitchen appliances to consider.
Air Fryer
Compared to conventional deep-frying or ovens, air fryers are healthier and more energy efficient. It requires less oil and doesn’t need preheating; and heated air circulates more efficiently in its smaller cooking chamber, leading to shorter cooking times. Air fryers come in different capacities ranging from 2L to 7L, so choose according to your needs. The Mayer 3.5L Digital Glass Air Fryer (S$99) heats 50-200°C with 1,300 watts and comes with a 60-minute timer. Its see-through borosilicate glass basket means you can see how your food is cooking and adjust the cooking time.
Get the Mayer 3.5L Digital Glass Air Fryer here.
Induction Cooker
With its sleek appearance, ease of use and cleaning up, more homes are switching to induction cookers instead of traditional gas stove tops. The best part? They save energy too. Induction cookers maximise energy by directly heating up pots and pans. Less heat is wasted and food is cooked faster. Electrolux’s range of induction hobs boils one litre of water in only three minutes, and their UltimateTaste 500 (S$1,398) built-in induction hob features two cooking zones that can be combined into one. It may be the perfect addition to the kitchen of a small family.
Get the Electrolux 30cm UltimateTaste 500 built-in induction hob here.
Slow Cooker
Although they take a longer time to cook, slow cookers overall save energy by using lower heat and wattage. Lower heat over a longer time means that heat is evenly distributed around the pot, thus retaining and enhancing the natural flavours of food. Great for cooking one pot meals, stews, and soups, Mayer’s 3.5L Electric Slow Cooker (S$59.90) comes with a ceramic inner pot and uses only 170 watts of energy. Not only is it easy to clean, it’s also easy to operate with its auto cooking function.
Get Mayer’s 3.5L Electric Slow Cooker here.
Dishwasher
Growing up in Singapore, the only dishwashers we ever hear of are our two hands (or our mothers’). Dishwashers have a bad rap for high electricity and excessive water use, as compared to hand washing. However, efficient dishwashers can save you water, time and back-breaking efforts. Toshiba’s Countertop Dishwasher (S$629) has two ticks on its water efficiency label, uses a maximum of 1620 watts, and has a high-temperature hygiene cycle that kills more bacteria than that sponge you use.
Get Toshiba’s Countertop Dishwasher here.
Convection Microwave Ovens
Combining the convenience of microwave ovens and the browning and crisping of convection ovens, convection microwave ovens provide the best of both worlds. And they cook faster than conventional ovens, making them a more energy efficient option. And it gets even better, as some of them like Panasonic’s Grill Microwave Oven (S$211) come with auto cooking menus. Now you can prepare or reheat your food with ease and peace of mind, since it takes only 1,000 watts to cook.
Get the Panasonic 23L Grill Microwave here.
Top Image Courtesy of Deposit Photos
