Stove alternatives

lucille · 05-13-2008, 04:26 AM

We already avoid using our stove as much as possible, even more in the summer.

We use the microwave, grill, rice steamer and sometimes the crock pot. But there are some things that require that dry radiant heat you get out of an oven. Has anyone found a more energy efficient alternative? I have considered getting one of those oversized toaster ovens but I don't have the extra counter space and I'm not sure if they are any better on electricity than the oven.

We are also planning on getting an induction burner for use rather than the stovetop.

gt0163c · 05-13-2008, 10:15 AM

I have a small/average size toaster oven that I use regularly. I don't know how the energy consumption compares to my stove, but I know that it preheats much quicker than my full size oven and doesn't heat up the kitchen nearly as much. Mine is large enough to cook things in a regular size loaf pan or the small Pampered Chef stoneware pan. It's great for preparing meals for one or maybe two people.

I'm thinking about trying to make and use a solar cooker this summer. It's more out of curiosity for me, but the energy savings and lack of desire to heat up my house in the hot Texas summers are also motivating factors. I just need to figure out a way to do it safely without causing undue fire hazard in my backyard.

khorrell · 05-13-2008, 12:32 PM

I guess I should consider trying the solar oven sometime. Though it wouldn't be very dry heat here in the mid-Atlantic.

One thing I do in the summer is take my crockpot to the coolest room of the house. That way it isn't heating up the common living spaces.

We do have a toaster oven, but with 6 people it isn't really very helpful. And I think that my gas oven might be more efficient.

wwstewart · 05-15-2008, 07:24 PM

Open-pit fire. Makes things yummy. Nothing like a pit-grilled steak to make your day.

lucille · 05-16-2008, 04:02 AM

We had toyed around with the idea of making a solar oven out of an old steel computer case. I may have to finally give that a try.

mcnerd · 05-16-2008, 11:22 AM

The BBQ outside gets used more in the summer, along with a lot more recipes that does not require cooking at all.

MincyBits · 05-21-2008, 08:56 AM

One oven replacement that's worked for me in summer is a cheap charcoal smoker, cylendrical with a dome top. Insulate it (say, with cardboard) and it can get nice and hot (300, even 350) in there, and no smoke is required (though tasty

.

05-13-2008, 04:26 AM	#1
lucille Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 673 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Reputation: (38)	Stove alternatives We already avoid using our stove as much as possible, even more in the summer. We use the microwave, grill, rice steamer and sometimes the crock pot. But there are some things that require that dry radiant heat you get out of an oven. Has anyone found a more energy efficient alternative? I have considered getting one of those oversized toaster ovens but I don't have the extra counter space and I'm not sure if they are any better on electricity than the oven. We are also planning on getting an induction burner for use rather than the stovetop. __________________ Dark Style Blog http://darkstyleblog.blogspot.com/

05-15-2008, 07:24 PM	#4
wwstewart Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 66 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (11)	Open-pit fire. Makes things yummy. Nothing like a pit-grilled steak to make your day. __________________ [ ! ] The Sugarbuzz Project is not remotely funny.

05-16-2008, 04:02 AM	#5
lucille Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 673 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Reputation: (38)	We had toyed around with the idea of making a solar oven out of an old steel computer case. I may have to finally give that a try. __________________ Dark Style Blog http://darkstyleblog.blogspot.com/

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05-13-2008, 10:15 AM	#2
gt0163c Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 340 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Reputation: (59)	I have a small/average size toaster oven that I use regularly. I don't know how the energy consumption compares to my stove, but I know that it preheats much quicker than my full size oven and doesn't heat up the kitchen nearly as much. Mine is large enough to cook things in a regular size loaf pan or the small Pampered Chef stoneware pan. It's great for preparing meals for one or maybe two people. I'm thinking about trying to make and use a solar cooker this summer. It's more out of curiosity for me, but the energy savings and lack of desire to heat up my house in the hot Texas summers are also motivating factors. I just need to figure out a way to do it safely without causing undue fire hazard in my backyard.

05-13-2008, 12:32 PM	#3
khorrell Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: near Washington DC Posts: 608 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Reputation: (84)	I guess I should consider trying the solar oven sometime. Though it wouldn't be very dry heat here in the mid-Atlantic. One thing I do in the summer is take my crockpot to the coolest room of the house. That way it isn't heating up the common living spaces. We do have a toaster oven, but with 6 people it isn't really very helpful. And I think that my gas oven might be more efficient.

05-16-2008, 11:22 AM	#6
mcnerd Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 83 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (17)	The BBQ outside gets used more in the summer, along with a lot more recipes that does not require cooking at all.

05-21-2008, 08:56 AM	#7
MincyBits Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (10)	One oven replacement that's worked for me in summer is a cheap charcoal smoker, cylendrical with a dome top. Insulate it (say, with cardboard) and it can get nice and hot (300, even 350) in there, and no smoke is required (though tasty .