There has never been a better time to learn how to reduce your energy usage and, in the long run, your energy bills. Today’s modern appliances come with an energy rating, allowing you to compare and decide which is the most efficient. However, it is not just the appliance itself you need to be efficient…it is all about becoming an energy efficient cook.

From fuel type to methods of cooking, there are things you can easily change to help make a big difference to your life. Here are some of our best energy saving tips for when you’re cooking with your brand new range cooker…

Choose induction...

Induction range cookers are becoming more and more popular, with them offering not only safety but also efficiency. 

Induction refers to the heat transfer when cooking. They may look similar to other electric hobs, but then work in a completely different way. Beneath the hob’s ceramic plate, induction coils made from copper create a magnetic field as electricity is passed through. If a pan made of a ferromagnetic material is placed on the hob, the magnetic field causes it to directly heat up.

The benefit of this is the hob stays cool, with only a little residual heat from the pan. Induction hobs are much more efficient than gas due to there being no excess heat, with all heat being concentrated inside the pan. Some induction hobs also include smart technology that can detect when a pan is absent, meaning they switch off to save energy.

Whilst induction technology is being continuously improved, it is a tried and tested format used on range cookers for over a decade. A good induction hob is said to be able to last between 10 and 15 years, depending on the manufacturer. For example, Smeg induction hobs are tested for 15 years of use.

Also knowing how to use your induction hob and the functions it offers you can help you to get the best out of your cooking. For example, a selection of models offer something called bridging zones, allowing you to use the two cooking zones on the right and left as one single cooking zone. This next generation function is great for providing a larger surface area for bigger pots and pans. 

Know how best to use your ovens for certain types of cooking…

When it comes to cooking up a storm, it is important to know exactly what your range cooker can do. Knowing which types of oven you have, multifunction, fanned or conventional, can have a big effect on the way you cook and how efficiently you are cooking.

Conventional

Conventional ovens have two heating elements that heat air inside. The bottom heating element is the primary source of heat and is ideal for roasting large cuts of meat, such as turkey or whole chickens. The upper heating element delivers intense heat and works for browning, with the middle rack being considered the favoured position for items such as baked goods. 

Conventional ovens do not have a fan to circulate the hot air, so where you place your food within the oven is key for the best results, with dishes often requiring rotation. The classic roast dinner could be cooked with meat in the middle of the oven, potatoes at the top for maximum heat (meaning crispiness) and dessert can be heated up at a more gentle temperature at the bottom of the oven. 

Fanned

A fanned oven consists of a fan that is designed to circulate air around the cavity and the food within it. The fan distributes the heat in order to cook the food as evenly as possible, often in less time and at a lower temperature, giving you better results and perfect for batch cooking.

Multifunction

A multifunction oven comes with two or more cooking styles to change the heating to meet your food’s requirements. They are built with multiple heating elements behind the oven walls - a top element, a bottom element and one coiled around the electric element. 

A multifunction oven essentially takes a conventional oven and a fan oven and combines them. This means it is great for all types of cooking, meaning it can ensure juicy meat, perfect pastry and crispy potatoes all at the same time!

It is also important to know where to place your food and what setting to use. When buying your range cooker you hope to be using it for many years to come, so it is important to know how to use it properly and to the best of its ability.

Featured on some models, such as an ILVE, there is the option of an ECO cooking function. This setting works for slow cooking your food, which is great for dishes such as a pasta bake or delicate foods such as pastries. 

Another top tip is if you own a 90cm range cooker, try using the tall fanned oven for the majority of your cooking as this uses less energy than the main multifunction oven. 

Using the correct cookware…

When using pots and pans on an induction hob, they should have thick, completely flat bases made of a ferromagnetic material. This is quite common on most high-quality cookware anyway and will be labelled as suitable for induction hobs. These work best at making full contact with each electric zone and allowing heat to spread more evenly. In turn, this will cook your food faster and save energy. 

If the pan has a coil symbol on the base, this means it is suitable for induction cooking. If you are unsure, take a magnet and if it sticks to the base of the pan it will be induction compatible. 

Once you have chosen the pans you are going to use for your cooking, make sure you use an appropriate part of the hob to cook with them. If cooking on a gas hob, a larger gas burner will waste energy, particularly if you have a pan that doesn’t fill the space. Similarly, for a pan that is too big for the burner, it will take longer for the food to get to the right temperature. 

It is also a handy tip to buy pans that have lids, as putting a lid over your cooking often helps the water to boil faster and therefore use less energy. Plus, food can be left to simply simmer away once the water starts to boil, enabling you to reduce the power level.

Try also using glass and ceramic dishes in your ovens, as they retain heat far better than metal ones. Using these will not only cook your food faster but be more cost effective. You can even set the heat slightly lower when using these dishes because of increased efficiency. 

Rangecookers’ Recommends…

Rangemaster Professional Plus 90 FX Induction 

For a great single cavity range cooker, this Rangemaster model is both stunning and innovative. 

The Professional Plus 90 FX induction features a unique Energy Saving Panel (ESP) that allows you to split the oven in half. In its split mode, the right hand side of the oven is A-rated for energy consumption (whilst the left hand side can be used for plate warming), which changes to C-rated without the divider. The multifunction oven also houses two grills and self-clean oven liners are included.

The five zone induction hotplate includes all of the thoughtful functional you could need, and if you are new to induction cooking, you will never look back. Combined with ultimate power and controllability, the 90 FX induction is a truly flexible, capable and energy conscious appliance.

ILVE Roma 120 Induction

This twin cavity Roma 120 induction model combines powerful multifunction ovens with a sleek and sophisticated seven zone induction hob, putting high power, speed and instant control at your fingertips. ILVE’s E3 precision temperature control system combines a directional rotary control with the existing digital display to show the desired oven temperature in 5 degree increments - rather than relying on the standard digital printed digits on the control knobs.

This cooker offers a wide choice of 15 oven functions including quick start rapid heat up, a pizza setting and the handy eco function. Save energy whilst cooking by choosing this function, adapting to slow cooking your meals and working perfectly for food such as baked pasta or delicate pastries. The large multifunction oven on the left offers a large capacity of 97 litres, but the second multifunction oven on the right offers a very useful capacity of 43 litres.

Falcon 1092 Continental Induction

If you’re looking for a solid and reliable range cooker, look no further than the Falcon 1092 Continental induction. This induction model brings all of the power you could need in the form of five cooking zones, with useful features such as power boost, boil dry detection, auto heat up and simmer and zone link functions. 

The large windows allow you to keep a close eye on what is cooking inside, whilst the long handles create a clean, streamlined finish. The oven doors open to reveal very spacious cavities (one multifunction oven with grill and one fanned oven) with heavy duty shelves and side-racks. 

Bertazzoni Professional 90 Single Induction

Fast, efficient and very safe, Bertazzoni’s induction cookers offer a very versatile and simple way to cook. 

The main electric oven, on this 90cm single cavity model, has 11 functions ranging from convection and grilling to fast-preheat. A triple glazed oven door minimises heat loss, with the inclusion of soft motion hinges and anti-slam closing system. On top, you have the latest induction technology to give you ultimate power and controllability, and the added benefit of an easy-to-clean vitreoceramic surface, with five heating zones that include a booster feature, pot detection and residual heat indication for each zone.

The new bridging function also allows you to use the two cooking zones on the right as one single cooking zone. Finishing this well-executed range cooker is a high resolution LCD touch screen display and programmable clock/timer.

For any more information about the products mentioned or for advice on finding the most energy efficient cooker for you, call our team on 01244 402 975 or visit our website here.