Celebrate Smart this Holiday Season

The holiday season is a time for sharing meals, baking treats and creating memories in the kitchen. As we gather to prepare our favorite holiday dishes, it’s essential to keep both safety and energy efficiency in mind. Here’s a guide to help you cook safely and reduce energy consumption while preparing those festive feasts.

Stay Safe While You Celebrate

Cooking during the holidays can often mean a bustling kitchen filled with family and friends. Here are some crucial safety tips to keep everyone safe:

• Monitor the Stove: Stay close when cooking on the stove and use timers.
• Turn Handles Inward: Prevent spills and burns by turning pot handles inward.
• Prevent Fires: Keep flammable items away from heat sources.
• Keep a fire extinguisher close: Make sure a fire extinguisher is nearby and know how to use it. Never use water on a grease fire; instead, smother it with a pot lid or baking soda.

Energy-Efficient Habits for the Holidays

Holiday cooking doesn’t have to drive up your energy bills. With a few simple adjustments, you can prepare your favorite meals in a more energy-efficient way.

• Use what you have: To prevent food waste look in your kitchen to see what ingredients you already have and make a shopping list.
• Plan Cooking: Cook multiple dishes at once to save energy.
• Check with guest: If guests are bringing items, make sure to avoid duplicates of items that may go to waste.
• Skip Preheating: Avoid preheating when not necessary and go straight to cooking.
• Efficient Cookware: Use heavy-bottomed pans, glass, or ceramic dishes to retain heat better and cook food more evenly, reducing cooking time and energy usage.
• Residual Heat: Turn off oven early to use residual heat.
• Smaller Appliances: Toaster ovens, air fryers, and microwaves use less energy and heat up more quickly.
• Full Loads: Only run dishwasher when its full and skip the heated dry cycle.
• Unplug Appliances: Unplug small countertop appliances when not in use to save energy.
• Reusable Mats: Use silicone baking mats instead of single-use parchment or foil.

Keeping the Kitchen Temperature Just Right

The holiday kitchen can get pretty warm with all the cooking, so consider ways to keep the temperature comfortable without cranking up the heat.

• Use a fan: Improve air circulation if ventilation is poor.
• Limit oven use: Avoid the oven on warm days; use grills or countertop appliances.
• Fridge Temp: Keep the fridge full to maintain a stable temperature.

By prioritizing safety, energy efficiency and sustainability in the kitchen this holiday season, you can enjoy festive feasts while reducing your impact on the environment. Plus, you’ll save on energy costs – a gift that keeps on giving all year long! Happy holidays, and happy cooking!

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