fact

An average Australian home produces about half a tonne of greenhouse gas each year from energy used for cooking.

Cooking

Illustration of a Man Making Toast and Using the Microwave

Cooking toast in a toaster instead of under the griller reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to three-quarters.

Which appliance?

Gas and microwave cooking generates 30 to 50% of the greenhouse gas generated by traditional electric cooking. Electric induction cookers are 20 to 50% more efficient than ordinary electric hotplates, but check to see if your cookware is suitable for them.

tip

Fan-forced ovens generate up to 35% less greenhouse gas than conventional ovens and more items can be cooked at the same time, as heat is more evenly distributed around the oven.

Up to 90% of the energy used by ovens is wasted: consider alternatives such as the microwave, electric frypan, or pressure cooker.
Or buy an oven with a triple glazed window and a high standard of insulation.
An electric kettle or gas cooker generates about half as much greenhouse gas as using a microwave oven or an electric cooktop—but be careful not to boil more water than you need.

Efficient cooking methods

Putting lids on pots, simmering gently instead of boiling vigorously, or using a pressure cooker can save half the greenhouse gas generated during cooking. Each litre of water boiled off generates up to a kilogram of greenhouse gas.
Use pots and pans with flat bases that match the size of the element. Avoid gas flames spilling up the sides of pots—turn the burner down to keep flames on the bottom.
Thaw food in the fresh food compartment of the fridge before cooking.
Pre-prepared meals in open aluminium foil trays with sides less than four centimetres high can be reheated in many microwave ovens with much lower greenhouse gas emissions than in an electric or gas oven (check the manufacturer’s instructions and always make sure that the aluminium does not contact the sides of the microwave oven—stand it in a larger plastic container to avoid sparks).
For small households, cooking in bulk, freezing the food, then reheating in a microwave oven cuts greenhouse gas emissions—and saves time.
If cooking in the oven, avoid opening the door unnecessarily and consider cooking several things at once.