Use these simple plays to score savings on your game day cooking.
Don’t run out the clock. Make sure the hot dip is ready for baking by the time your oven finishes preheating. Heating the oven for longer than needed wastes energy and money.
Call an oven option. If you use the oven to help prepare your game day spread, turn on its light to check cooking progress instead of opening the door. Your food will cook more efficiently, and you’ll avoid losing heat and energy.
Put a small appliance in the starting lineup. Prepare the gridiron grub in your microwave, slow cooker, air fryer or toaster oven. Because they cook food quicker and are smaller, they can use as much as 75% less energy than a conventional oven.
Don’t get flagged for unnecessary heating. Finish off your game day dishes by turning off your oven a few minutes early. If you keep the door closed, enough heat will remain inside to push your food across the goal line.
Size up the competition. Using a big pot on a small burner is a no-go for your game day chili. Matching your pots and pans with the burner size saves energy and cooks your food more efficiently.
Don’t fumble the cleanup. After the game is done, be sure to fill the dishwasher completely before starting it up. It uses the same energy, whether it’s half or fully loaded.