TXU Energy

Throw a dinner party without throwing away money on energy. Use these tips to save money and energy while cooking.

• Cook outdoors Most Texans live where the climate is mild enough to use outdoor grills to cook even during the winter holiday months.
• Thaw food before cooking If you are pressed for time, it is more efficient to thaw foods in the microwave than in the oven.
• Use microwaves as much as possible Microwave ovens use much less electricity than a stove or oven and take less time to cook meals.
• Use slow cookers Slow cookers can cook a whole meal for about 17 cents worth of electricity.
• Keep the oven door closed Use the oven light and peer through the window. Opening the oven door drops the inside temperature which increases cooking time and wastes energy.
• Place several items in the oven at once Just make sure you leave enough room for the heat to circulate around each dish or pie plate.
• Choose glass or ceramic pans for the oven Glass or ceramic pans heat faster than metal pans and allow you to set the temperature 25 degrees lower. Plus, meals will cook just as quickly.
• Inspect the seal around the oven If the seal is damaged, replace it. Damaged seals allow heat to flow out of the oven wasting energy.