Eco-friendly kitchen appliances
Designing an eco-friendly kitchen is easier than ever with a wide selection of energy efficient appliances and fittings.
20/11/2018
We all want to reduce our carbon footprint and live more sustainably, and new technology makes it possible to design a kitchen for the 21st Century, with appliances that reduce water consumption and are even more energy efficient.
Less water down the drain
Water is a precious resource and we all need to put practices into place to reduce water consumption and cut down on waste. Designing your kitchen with taps that have a built-in water saving function can reduce water usage by up to 60%.
Brands such as Hansgrohe EcoSmart and Grohe EcoJoy taps for bathrooms and kitchens have integral features that aerate the water to add air that produces a full, bubbling jet of water even when the water pressure fluctuates. This feature limits the water flow and reduces water consumption.
Energy saving lighting
LED lighting offers a saving of up to 85% when compared to incandescent lighting, as well as the added advantage of a lifespan of up to 20 years. With ever increasing electricity costs it makes a lot of sense to replace expensive light fittings with eco-friendly LED light sources.
Faster cooking
Induction hobs accurately control cooking temperature and minimise energy consumption by reducing the cooking times. Energy efficiency is further maximised since induction hobs only heat up the base of the pan and not the rest of the surface area.
Induction cooking works by heating with magnetic induction and not thermal conduction. The system works via copper wires built in to the induction hob that create an oscillating magnetic field and magnetic flux that heats up the cooking vessel in far less time than conventional methods. You can also check out Induction Cookware HQ for some recommended cooking appliance options for your kitchen.
Less cooking - More flavour
A relatively new product on the market, but one that is gaining popularity, is the combination steam oven. Steam ovens feature a reservoir, filled with water that cooks food faster and evenly. As the oven heats up the water turns into steam. A combination steam oven allows you to use both steam and dry heat, for when you want to use the oven to bake or roast.
It's a known fact that food cooked using the steam method retains moisture better than food cooked in a conventional convection oven. And steamed food retains more vitamins and minerals than food that is boiled.
More efficiency
Believe it or not, running a full load in an Energy Star rated dishwasher is more efficient than washing the same amount by hand. While this may seem impossible when you consider that a dishwasher is constantly spraying water, energy-efficient models use less water than hand washing. Invest in a set of dishwasher-safe dishes so that you only have to run the dishwasher 3 to 4 times a week.
Waste management
Every kitchen should be fitted with an efficient waste management system to separate rubbish from recyclables. The best place to install a waste system is close to the sink where it's easy to sort and drop items into their respective bins. If you don't already have recycling bins fitted in your kitchen, it's simply a matter of finding the space and installing a pullout drawer.