Energy Saving Week: Cook Smarter This January with Tower

The Smarter Way to Save Energy in the Kitchen

If you’re cooking at home more in January, energy bills tend to come under extra pressure especially when you’re making smaller meals and switching the oven on more often.

The good news is that saving energy doesn’t mean changing what you eat. It often comes down to choosing the right appliance for the job.

For everyday meals, the three biggest money-savers are usually: air fryers, microwaves and slow cookers because they heat faster, waste less energy and help you avoid running a full oven when you don’t need to.

Why the oven can be the most expensive habit in the kitchen

Ovens are built for big jobs; full trays, roasting joints, and family meals. But most everyday cooking is smaller than that.

• Large internal space to heat
• Preheating times of 10–15 minutes
• Heat loss every time the door opens
• Similar energy use whether you cook one portion or four

That’s why switching to smaller appliances for day-to-day cooking can make a noticeable difference over time.

Air fryers: quicker cooking, less time switched on

Air fryers are designed to cook food quickly using hot, circulating air. For everyday meals, that usually means less cooking time and less energy wasted heating unused space.

They’re especially useful for smaller portions when you want a crispy finish without running the oven.

Best for: chips, chicken, breaded foods, salmon, roasted veg, quick midweek dinners.

Explore AIRX: Available in sizes like a 5L and 8L option for everyday cooking.

Microwaves: the quickest way to heat food efficiently

Microwaves are one of the most energy-efficient appliances in the kitchen because they heat food quickly and directly — without needing to warm up a whole oven space.

If you’re reheating leftovers, defrosting ingredients or cooking simple foods fast, the microwave is often the cheapest option to run.

• Great for reheating meals without turning the oven on
• Ideal for defrosting meat, bread and frozen ingredients
• Useful for quick meals like rice, veg and jacket potatoes

Best for: reheating, defrosting, quick steaming and fast weekday lunches.

Slow cookers: low, steady heat for comfort food (and batch cooking)

Slow cookers use low heat over a longer time, making them ideal for hearty winter meals, particularly when you want to cook multiple portions in one go.

Because the lid keeps heat trapped inside the pot, slow cookers can be a low-energy way to make filling meals without relying on the oven.

Best for: curries, stews, soups, chilli, pulled meats, family meals.

Which appliance saves the most energy?

Each appliance has its place, the trick is using the most efficient one for what you’re cooking.

• Use the microwave when you’re reheating or cooking something quickly
• Use the air fryer when you want a crispy finish without the oven
• Use the slow cooker when you want a hot meal ready later (and extra portions)
• Use the oven when you’re cooking large trays or baking

If you swap even a few oven meals per week for an air fryer, microwave, or slow cooker, it can help reduce your overall energy use across the month without changing what you eat.