Contact: Priscilla Knight, 703-392-1580, pknight@novec.com
NORTHERN VIRGINIA - Mouth-watering aromas from turkeys, hams, pies and cookies will soon fill kitchens as families and friends gather together to celebrate the holidays. The Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative is pleased to provide one of the most important ingredients for modern cooking—electricity. From mixers to ovens, electricity makes cooking quick, easy and fun.
NOVEC knows electricity use (along with waistlines) will probably increase during the holidays. To help customers use energy wisely, the Cooperative offers these cooking tips:
- When preparing a small quantity of food, use a microwave oven, toaster-oven, or electric skillet instead of a large oven.*
- Cover pots and pans while cooking on the stove to cook faster and retain heat. When vegetables are almost cooked, tilt pan lids to prevent discoloration.
- Use flat-bottom pots and pans that correspond in size with stove heating elements.
- Check the oven seal to make sure it's tight and not leaking heated air.
- Preheat the oven just long enough to reach the desired temperature. Turn it off as soon as food is cooked.
- Use a convection oven to save energy and cook food quickly.
- Baking time may be reduced when using glass and ceramic baking dishes, because they retain heat better than metal pans. Check baking mix instructions.
- Bake multiple items at the same time if they require similar temperatures and if the pans allow enough space for heat to circulate,
- Do not open the oven door often to check food. The oven can lose up to 75 degrees with each opening.
- Do not open the refrigerator and freezer more than necessary.
- If the outdoor temperature is below 40 degrees, store excess food in an animal-proof cooler in the garage or on a porch.
- Run the dishwasher on the energy-saving cycle with air drying, and only when it is full.
*The National Fire Prevention Association does NOT consider turkey fryers safe. Extremely hot frying oil has burned users, and fryers have caught garages and other structures on fire.
