Efficient way of cooking

[Robindianne]

So, is it cheaper to use my old oven to cook in (I use a countertop grill more often) or better to get a toaster oven or bread maker? I mostly only use the oven for baking cake, cookies, poaching fish, doing casseroles and quiches and pies, etc but it's really old and the door doesn't seal right. I don't know how many energy dollars that wastes. I've never had a bread maker work right (maybe it's me?). And I've never owned a toaster oven so I'm not sure how efficient they are, or how well they bake food.

Opinions? I'm trying to cut back; aren't we all?

 

[minnie1928]

I think it would depend on the size of the things that you make. I have a large toaster oven and we use it all the time. The only time I use the regular oven is for larger items (lasagna, cake, etc.). I can fit a pizza in my toaster oven, make brownies, casseroles, etc. as long as the item doesn't require a larger pan. The nice thing about toaster ovens is that they don't require you to pre-heat them. Also, since you are heating a smaller oven you are using less energy. Also, in the summer I can take the oven out to my deck to cool off when I'm done using it. That way it doesn't heat up the kitchen.

 

[HappyCamperToo]

Doesn't cost also depend on if your oven is gas or electric?

And why would you buy a bread maker? That wasn't on your list of things you use your oven for.

 

[Robindianne]

Doesn't cost also depend on if your oven is gas or electric?

And why would you buy a bread maker? That wasn't on your list of things you use your oven for.

It's electric.

I'm dreaming of making bread.

 

[Robindianne]

I think it would depend on the size of the things that you make. I have a large toaster oven and we use it all the time. The only time I use the regular oven is for larger items (lasagna, cake, etc.). I can fit a pizza in my toaster oven, make brownies, casseroles, etc. as long as the item doesn't require a larger pan. The nice thing about toaster ovens is that they don't require you to pre-heat them. Also, since you are heating a smaller oven you are using less energy. Also, in the summer I can take the oven out to my deck to cool off when I'm done using it. That way it doesn't heat up the kitchen.

Can I ask how long yours has lasted and what model? Is a simple Black and Decker as good as a Kitchen Aid or Cuisenart? (Probably not but, would be nice if it was huh?

 

[Purseval]

What's wrong with a crock pot? I realize you can't make pizza in it but there are tons of good meals you can cook in it, plus it's a big yard sale item you can find for next to nothing.

As for bread, try this: http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/hearth-bread-recipe

It used to be called The Easiest Loaf of Bread You'll Ever Bake

If you ever get a bread machine try this one: http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/bread-machine-breadeasy-as-can-be-recipe

Those are from King Arthur Flour but you can substiture cheaper generic flour.

 

[MickQuinn]

At this time of year, is heat leaking from the oven really "wasted"?
I purposely make dinner in the oven most nights because it makes the kitchen warm and cozy.

Popovers and other quick breads actually rise better from a cold oven, so I pop those in while I am putting dinner together. By the time I am ready to put the meal in the oven, the popovers are done and the oven is preheated.

 

[minnie1928]

Can I ask how long yours has lasted and what model? Is a simple Black and Decker as good as a Kitchen Aid or Cuisenart? (Probably not but, would be nice if it was huh?

I've had mine probably about 4 years ago. It's a Euro-Pro oven that I bought at Lowes. It was (and I think is still) around $100, which I thought was a lot at the time. But, I had a $100 Lowes gift card burning a hole in my pocket so I used that to buy it. Now that I've had it, it's definitely worth the $100. It also has a dehydrate function and a rotisserie function. I chose it for the aesthetics...it's stainless steel looking and matches my appliances, but was pleasantly surprised how much we actually use it.

 

[Robindianne]

I've had mine probably about 4 years ago. It's a Euro-Pro oven that I bought at Lowes. It was (and I think is still) around $100, which I thought was a lot at the time. But, I had a $100 Lowes gift card burning a hole in my pocket so I used that to buy it. Now that I've had it, it's definitely worth the $100. It also has a dehydrate function and a rotisserie function. I chose it for the aesthetics...it's stainless steel looking and matches my appliances, but was pleasantly surprised how much we actually use it.

Hey Thanks!

 

[Robindianne]

Thank you all!

 

[MSSANDRA]

Maybe it would be best to fix the seal on the oven or start saving for a new one.
I use an electic skillet, my oven , crock pot or microwave for just about everything.

 

[branv]

I will say this -- it depends on the model. A coworker of DH's gave him an almost brand new toaster oven that they decided not to keep b/c "it was too big." And it was one of the larger ones, also useable as a rotisserie. I wanted it for similar reasons -- we have an open floor plan, and when temps get up in the 100's in the summer, having our oven on turns the house into a scorcher. So I fired up that toaster oven one day, and the heat radiating off it was WAY worse than our regular oven. And the outside was so hot to the touch it burned me (and forget putting it on the counter near anything else like papers, plastic, etc). It was too big to leave on the counter on a regular basis, so it had to be put away after use (but had to wait until it cooled to do that, which meant a lot of wasted counter space). We finally gave it away as well. I wish I could remember the model, but I remember it was one of the big brands.

Though it won't help you for the baking, have you thought about using your grill for other things? I'm not a big time griller, so it's been a learning curve. But even on our porch with full sun exposure, at least I can go back and forth btwn a/c in the house and the outside heat rather than living with a heated up household for hours after I cook. Believe it or not, I've even seen a lasagna recipe for grills. Heck, you can even cook pizza and bread on the grill too