Introduction

Cooking with electricity consumes a lot of electricity if energy saving appliances are not used. There are many examples of energy efficient appliances that make cooking with electricity enjoyable and stress free. They are the main focus of this page. 

Before we start, let’s first understand what energy efficiency is.

Energy efficiency with respect to cooking, means little energy is wasted when cooking.

When cooking with a charcoal stove, the space surrounding the it is warm. The charcoal stove is very hot. The heat that is heating up the charcoal stove and being radiated to the surroundings is wasted heat. It should have gone into cooking food if the charcoal stove was energy saving or energy efficient. With a three stone open firewood stove, the wastage of heat to the surroundings is even more.

The same  wastage applies to inefficient electrical appliances. Heat is lost to the surroundings before reaching food. This heat is generated by electricity that is already paid. In effect you buy electricity and some of it is for generating heat to cook food while the other portion generates heat that is wasted to the surroundings. In the end these inefficient appliances make cooking with electricity expensive. If most of the heat goes into cooking food then little is wasted and the cost of electricity used for cooking remains low. 

An energy efficient appliance uses most of the generated heat for cooking and little is wasted. The net result:  little electricity is used. Less money is spent on energy when such  appliances are used.

The most common methods of cooking food  include boiling/stewing, steaming, sauteing/shallow fat frying, baking/grilling.

Some appliances can do several of those methods, others are dedicated and cook with only one method. 

We shall look at several appliances and the different methods of cooking for which they are most suitable.

As you read, you may wonder how many appliances you need. Ideally the appliances you have should be multi purpose; but this may not always be the case. Read on and see which one fits your circumstances.

Posts

• Electric Pressure Cooker a.k.a EPC: The Cheapest Way to Boil/Stew/Fry any Food

  An Electric Pressure Cooker, EPC, is among the most energy-efficient appliances. Very little heat is wasted. It is well insulated and this makes the generated heat to stay inside and cook food. The outer surfaces of an electric pressure cooker do not feel hot during cooking. It is only the top cover that feels hot. The combination of pressure cooking and great thermal insulation results in considerable energy saving.

  You maybe familiar with a normal pressure cooker for using on charcoal/gas/electric stoves. Food cooks faster than that in a normal saucepan. It  has to be watched or else when the pressure becomes too much it will ”explode”. This normal pressure cooker is also not as efficient as the electric one since it is not insulated and is very hot during cooking. You get burnt if you dare touch it. 

  The electric one has a cable that plugs into an electrical socket. It does not need to be watched during the cooking process.  

  

  Electric pressure cookers have a thermostat that keeps the inner temperature and therefore the pressure, constant. Before the cooking process starts, you have to set the cooking time and pressure. This is easily done on the control panel. Once the pressure inside has built up to the set level, the timer starts counting down. When it reaches zero, the cooker automatically goes into warm mode without any action from the user.

  

  Lets suppose you are cooking rice. You measure out the rice and water inside the inner cooking pot. Make sure there is no water on its outer surface. Then place inside the cooker. You switch on the machine, then press the rice button if available. It shows the time it will take to cook rice. Lets say 12 minutes. There is also a default pressure that is programmed into the pressure cooker. The count down to 12 minutes will begin when the set pressure has built up inside. Its not like it will take 12 minutes from the time you press start button to when then rice is ready. It takes some time to build the pressure.

  The time depends on the amount of food inside. If its little, it boils quickly and pressure builds up fast; if its alot, it takes more time for the pressure to build up. Then the count down begins. You do not need to watch it as it cooks. It’s hands free. It will automatically go to warm mode when the time is up. You need to wait for 5 minutes or more for the appliance to depressurize, after which you can open it. The cover does not open if the pressure is still high inside. Never force it open, unless you want a blistered face.

  This appliance is extremely efficient. It uses about 0.4kWh (cost is UgShs400 or 11 US cents), to boil 1kg of dry beans. All sorts of meals and foods can be done in this machine. You can steam food in it (wrapped in banana leaves if you prefer); you can steam 3 foods at ago using banana leaves as separators. The list is endless. You can also fry beans, peas, and any other sauce as well. All foods that need boiling, stewing can be cooked here, hassle free.

  Here is a short video from you tube about a lady making githeri (beans mixed with maize). Normally this takes a long time and would use a lot of units if a hot plate was used. Take note of the units (kWh) used at the end.

  Need to buy an EPC? Click here

• Chapati/Roti Maker: Make Chapatis with Less Oil

  A roti/chapati maker takes the hassle out of making chapatis. They are convenient to use since there is no need to roll out and shape the chapati; the appliance does it. There is no need to use oil for frying; the non stick surfaces do not allow the chapati dough to stick on them. This makes the chapatis healthier. If desired, a little oil can be added while mixing the dough. Also, their taste is different from the normal chapatis made using a stove, as these have a lot of oil in them.

  

  Their energy saving comes from the fact that the chapatis are placed in direct contact with the hot surface. The heating element is directly beneath this surface that is made of aluminum. Aluminium heats up and distributes heat quickly. There is a thermostat that maintains a constant temperature. When the appliance gets hotter than the set temperature, the thermostat switches it off. When it cools down below the set temperature, it switches on the appliance. Electrical energy is not flowing constantly; it only flows when thermostat is on.

  For a chapati/roti maker rated 1,800W and switched on for a total time of 40 minutes, the energy consumed is 1.2kWh. Remember electrical energy is measured in kWh and 1 kWh costs roughly UgShs1,000 (26 US cents) as of April 2023. The cost of 1.2kWh is therefore Shs1,200.

  To clean the equipment, simply wipe with a damp cotton towel. Never dip the chapati/maker in water as this will cause short circuit and damage the appliance. When the machine has heated up, never make the two hot surfaces come into contact without a chapati/roti in the middle. Otherwise it will over heat, and the appliance will blow.

  Click here to get yourself one.

• Induction Cooktop: Faster and Cheaper than Gas

  This is among the most energy saving appliances. An induction-enabled saucepan is placed on the cooktop and this activates the heating process of the cooktop. Electricity is induced in the bottom of this saucepan. It has magnetic or ferrous material in it that makes it possible for electricity to be induced and then generate heat that cooks or boils whatever is inside the saucepan. Heat is not lost to the surroundings before reaching the food. All the generated heat is used and this results in low electricity consumption. This appliance regulates heat faster than a gas stove.

  Pure aluminium and pure stainless steel saucepans will not work with this appliance, as no electricity will be induced and therefore no heat. Any other pure metal saucepan without iron in it wont work.

  There are different sizes; some have a single cooking surface, others 2, others 3, etc.

  

  The heat can easily be controlled , just like it is for a gas stove. The appliance can be set to high heat, medium heat and low heat.

  Some brands can control heat using a +or – buttons, others a knob, others a touch screen panel. Most models have a timer. For example if you know a litre of milk takes 6 minutes to boil at a 1,300W medium power setting, you can set this time. Once it has elapsed, the unit switches off  and saves more electricity. 

  The ones with 1 and 2 cooking surfaces or zones can be plugged into an ordinary socket since their power rating is usually below 3000W. Above 3,000W they need to be plugged into cooker socket. Remember all electrical appliances bought for use in Uganda and the East Africa region must be able to work on 240V AC voltage and 50Hz. Appliances bought in US and Canada with input voltages of 110V, 60Hz frequency cannot be plugged directly into our sockets without a step down transformer; without it they will burn.

  

  Interested in purchasing a single zone induction cooktop? Click here

• Are big Electric kettles Worth it?

  These are fairly common appliances and also very efficient as the heating element or heating surface is in direct contact with water. There is no heat loss before it reaches the water. There are are different sizes available. The smallest has a capacity of 1.7 litres while the biggest has 6 litres. Now, is it worth it to own an electric kettle? In situations where one needs a quick cup of tea, a small one is better. However when you need more hot water, like for cooling and drinking later, a smaller kettle may not be the best option.

  It is more cost effective to use a big sized kettle to boil 5 litres, than to use a small sized kettle of 1.7 Litres three times.

  Lets illustrate with a real example:

  A 1.7 litre kettle rated 1800W takes 6 minutes to boil 1.7 litres of water, implying it consumes 0.18kWh or units. 

  The cost of this electricity is roughly Shs180 (about 5 US Cents) as of April 2023.

   So if you are 3 people who need to boil water everyday for showering, total cost is Shs180x3=Shs540 or 15 US cents. In a month or 30days, that’s  540×30= Shs16,200 or $4.5.

  If you are more people, cost goes higher.

  On the other hand, if one use a 5 litre kettle, it holds  roughly the same quantity of water as 3 kettles of 1.7Litres. So a 5 litre kettle rated 2200W and takes about 12 minutes to boil the 5litres uses 0.44kWh.

  Using it once a day costs Shs440 or 12 US cents.

  In a month that’s Shs440x 30=Shs13,200 or $3.6.

  When you are 3 or more people who need hot water everyday, a bigger sized kettle is definitely worth it.

  To get long life from the kettle, always read the enclosed manual on safety and operating instructions.

  To highlight some of these:

  1. Do not use kettle on extension cable. The cable may get spoilt, unless it’s a heavy duty extension cable (can accommodate 3000W or more).

  2. Make sure the heating element is always fully covered by water before switching on kettle. If its not, it will get damaged. 

  3. Do not exceed the maximum level as indicated inside the kettle

  4. Never switch off the kettle directly from the socket if  red light is still on. First switch off the kettle, or wait for it to switch itself off after water has boiled and then you switch off at the socket. Otherwise the socket will be damaged. 

  5. When water has boiled, please take it out of the kettle. Do not leave it there. This will help the heating element to last much longer.

  6. Never boil water without lid on kettle . Boiling water when the kettle is open will disable automatic switch off, and water will keep boiling and boiling  and waste electricity. It can also lead to other problems in the kettle, like over heating/blowing of the kettle. Always ensure lid is firmly on.

  7. Do not dip kettle in water while washing it.

  Want to purchase one? Click here

• How do I know which Appliance is Energy Saving?

  To guide consumers on choosing energy efficient appliances,  grading systems have  been developed. Different countries and regions have their own standards on energy efficiency. In the US the energy star rating means the appliance complies with the required energy efficiency standards. Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) requires manufacturers to indicate efficiency of appliances in terms of stars. A 5 star rated equipment is the most efficient in that system of labeling. Annual consumption of the appliance has to be indicated as well.

  The European Union (EU) has a grading system with classes that range from class A to D. Class A is most efficient while class D is least efficient (most wasteful). This system also  gives the estimated annual consumption of electricity in kWh. 

  A new labeling system was introduced effective March 2021. It is more refined. This is good news since companies will make appliances that are even more energy efficient.

  

  The fridge in the picture above uses a total of 280 kWh per year, and its efficiency class is A++ under the old system.

  This implies that it uses (280/360) or 0.8kWh per day. The more efficient an appliance, the higher the upfront cost. But operationally it is cheaper as it consumes little energy to do its work.

  For example let’s imagine you want to replace your old fridge with a brand new one. You have a budget of UgShs1,000,000 or US$265.

  You enter this shop and they have 4 brands on display; the sizes are nearly the same. Their prices are generally within your budget.

  You also notice on the front door of the fridges that their annual consumption is given in kWh:

  Brand 1 is 330kWh, brand 2 is 300kWh, brand 3 is 400kWh, brand 4 is 370kWh.

  The size is ok, the price is also not bad. Which one will you buy? If aesthetics and design are pleasing to the eye, go for Brand 2, because it is the most energy saving and will be operationally cheaper. It may also be the most expensive among the 4.

  Not all electrical appliances have these labels. They are common on fridges, electric ovens, washing machines, air conditioners, and bulbs. In due time countries will develop energy efficiency standards for a wider range of appliances.

  In the meantime, read on to know the different energy saving electrical appliances that we can cook with and what makes them efficient.