SmartPower SmartTip of the Week: Cook it under pressure

How many of you reading this blog have an electric pressure cooker or some other countertop cooking device stuffed away in the recesses of your kitchen cabinets?  

They seem like the kind of appliances we get for the holidays, or pick up at the store on a random whim and then hardly ever use. Am I right?

Well, check it out; when you use an electric pressure cooker, crock pot or electric steamer, you’re actually being Energy Smart. That’s right. It turns out that these devices save you more money and create less pollution than just using the stove top.

According to the Web site ClimateCulture.com—where you can create your own virtual world, and join an online Facebook-like community to help track the real-world actions you take to save energy—the potential for savings from these appliances is big time.

For instance, using an electric pressure cooker to do more of your cooking can save you nearly $100 a year, while reducing your CO2 emissions by 600 lbs! Also, by breaking out that steamer you thought you’d never use, not only will you cook your veggies in a way that keeps more of their nutritional value, but you’ll save roughly $20 a year more than you would by cooking them on the stove top. The same savings are possible when you use a crock pot.

So, it turns out that some of those items you recognize from infomercials and then see later when you clean the cupboards are actually practical appliances we can use to prepare food in a way that’s Energy Smart. Who knew?

Be sure to visit the SmartPower Blog for more great tips and cool features. And . .

Let's Get Energy Smart!
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From the Community…

Comments 1-6 of 6
  • Barbs*'s Avatar
    Posted by Barbs* Wed Jan 28, 2009 11:15am PST

    I love my pressure cooker. It saves me so much time! good to know I'm saving energy as well!!

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  • Jazy's Avatar
    Posted by Jazy Fri Jan 30, 2009 8:27am PST

    Visit, www.pressurecooker.net

    All your cooker needs!

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  • AJ's Avatar
    Posted by AJ Fri Jan 30, 2009 4:38pm PST

    A pressure cooker will make meat tender. A chuck roast will melt in your month and taste great. Give it a try. You will be surprise. Put in some onions and carrots with the roast. Faster than a microwave.

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  • PaulS's Avatar
    Posted by PaulS Sat Jan 31, 2009 5:57pm PST

    I have used a Presto Pressure Cooker for years, it is great. The cooking time is a minimum, the taste is great. Vegetables, meats cook with great taste. TRY IT YOU WILL LIKE IT. Evan the worst/less knowledgable cook comes out a champ......

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  • BARBARA's Avatar
    Posted by BARBARA Sun Feb 1, 2009 8:51am PST

    I'm 67 & have been using a Presto pressure cooker for more yrs than I can count, so did my mother who died 2 yrs ago @91.....

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  • d's Avatar
    Posted by d Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:54pm PDT

    Pressure cooking is the way to go if you are looking to make mouthwatering soups, stews, roasted meats of all varieties and even rice. I have a Wolfgang Puck pressure cooker that I purchased on a home shopping network. You can even use meats directly from the freezer. The lasagna recipe calls for frozen ground beef, sauce, seasonings and the noodles (any brand you like) added all together. It's time saving and delicious. Chicken pot pie is great too.

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