The amount of energy used for cooking also depends on the type of stove. It is usually only worth replacing your stove when the old one can no longer be repaired. If you are thinking about buying a new stove, you may want to consider the following facts:

An old electric stove with cast iron plates requires approx. 0.26 kWh of electricity to boil 1.5 liters of water. A new electric stove with a glass ceramic hob, on the other hand, requires only 0.22 kWh. A glass-ceramic induction hob consumes even less electricity, approx. 0.18 kWh for the same amount of water. If a gas hob is used, 0.33 kWh is required. However, as kWh gas costs significantly less, the costs incurred with a gas stove are still the lowest. The gas stove is also unbeatably cheap in terms of CO2 consumption. When boiling 1.5 liters of water, a gas hob produces 83g of CO2, an induction hob produces 100g of CO2, and a cast iron hob produces as much as 143g of CO2.

In principle, gas and induction hobs consume the least energy. In a direct comparison, the induction hob with its glass-ceramic plate is easier to clean, but only ferromagnetic pots can be used. The gas hob scores points with its low purchase price and is very durable, but a suitable connection must be available.

Another way to save energy when preparing daily meals is to continue cooking food in suitable insulated containers. Insulated boxes (known as thermoboxes) or bags are available in stores for this purpose. These store the heat of the briefly cooked food, allowing it to continue cooking without any further energy input.

Stiftung Warentest has tested the extent to which these boxes can save energy. To do this, 500 grams of potatoes were cooked in a normal saucepan, a pressure cooker, a cooking box, and a cooking bag. Cooking boxes and bags require significantly less energy (28% and 37% less, respectively), but they are only suitable for a specific pot size and are quite expensive to purchase. A classic pressure cooker still uses 12% less energy than a conventional pot, but it is comparatively inexpensive to purchase and can be used for many dishes.

For those who missed it: The Klimagourmet exhibition at the Mainz Environmental Store focused on the connection between climate change and nutrition. Cooking and baking were also discussed. We have summarized the most important tips for you:

One of the interactive elements illustrated where we can easily save energy in our everyday lives without having to buy a new stove or expensive equipment.

Did you know that

• cooking with a lid saves 30 percent energy;
• using a pot that fits the size of the hob can save up to 20 percent energy;
• using a pressure cooker saves up to 50 percent energy?

With old and new electric stoves without induction, it is also worth using the residual heat of the hob. Simply turn off the stove a few minutes before the end of the cooking time. Using a kettle can save up to 70 percent energy compared to heating water on an electric stove. However, it is also important to only heat the amount of water that is actually needed in a kettle. In principle, only as much water as necessary should be heated for cooking. Many foods can be gently cooked in steam. To do this, simply reduce the amount of water used for cooking. The steam produced cooks potatoes just as quickly as boiling water in a full pot, for example.