How to Save Money on Food Storage and Cooking Amid Rising Energy Costs

With electricity and gas prices continuing to rise, many households are looking for practical ways to reduce their energy bills. 

One of the most effective areas to focus on is food storage and cooking techniques. 

By making a few simple changes to how you store and prepare food, you can significantly cut down on energy use while also keeping your grocery costs under control. 

Here’s how.

Energy-Efficient Food Storage

1. Make the Most of Your Freezer

A well-organised freezer can help you reduce waste and save money. Follow these tips:

Keep it full: A full freezer retains cold better than an empty one. If you don’t have enough food to fill it, use bottles of water to take up space.

Use airtight containers and freezer bags: This prevents freezer burn, reducing waste.

Batch cook and freeze meals: Cooking in bulk reduces energy consumption per meal and prevents unnecessary use of your oven or hob.

Defrost efficiently: Plan ahead and defrost frozen food in the fridge rather than using a microwave, which consumes more electricity.

2. Fridge Storage Hacks

Maintain the right temperature: Set your fridge between 3-5°C and your freezer at -18°C for optimal efficiency.

Avoid overloading: Overstuffing the fridge reduces airflow and forces it to work harder.

Cover food and store liquids properly: This prevents excess moisture, which makes the fridge work harder.

Let food cool before refrigerating: Placing hot food in the fridge makes it use more energy to maintain its temperature.

Energy-Saving Cooking Techniques

1. Use Energy-Efficient Appliances

Slow cookers and pressure cookers: These use a fraction of the energy compared to an oven or hob.

Air fryers: They cook food faster and require less energy than conventional ovens.

Microwaves: These are much more efficient than using an oven or hob for reheating or cooking small portions.

Induction hobs: They use less energy than gas or standard electric hobs because they heat up quickly and directly.

2. Cook Smartly

Cook in batches: Preparing meals in bulk means fewer cooking sessions and less energy use.

Use lids on pans: This helps food cook faster and retains heat.

Match pan size to the hob ring: Using a small pan on a large hob wastes energy.

Turn off the oven early: Residual heat can continue cooking food for several minutes after turning it off.

Use a kettle efficiently: Only boil the amount of water you need instead of filling it to the top.

3. Opt for Alternative Cooking Methods

Cook multiple items at once: When using the oven, make the most of the space by cooking multiple dishes at the same time.

Use residual heat: If you’re using an oven, turn it off a few minutes before the cooking time ends and let the remaining heat finish the job.

Consider batch cooking on weekends: Cook meals in advance and reheat them using a microwave or air fryer instead of cooking from scratch every day.

Final Thoughts

By making small, intentional changes to how you store and cook food, you can cut down on energy consumption and save money on your electricity and gas bills. A few simple adjustments, such as using energy-efficient appliances, cooking in batches, and optimising food storage, can make a big difference over time. As energy costs continue to rise, these practical steps will help you manage your household budget more effectively while still enjoying delicious home-cooked meals.