A green kitchen involves more than just green food products. Environmentally-friendly food preparation techniques, energy-efficient kitchen appliances, and non-toxic cleaning products are all an integral part of a green kitchen. More and more green alternatives are available today to practice true green living in our kitchens.

Green Stoves

The two main types of stove tops available today are gas and electric. Since most of the electricity in the United States comes from coal-burning power plants, both stove top alternatives essentially run on fossil fuels. Therefore it is important to get the most energy efficient model available, regardless of whether you prefer gas or electricity stove tops. For gas stoves, lower BTU’s are more energy efficient. However, it is recommended to have at least one high-output burner (~12000-15000 BTU/hr) for food that require quick boiling or searing.

For electric stove tops, the most efficient kind are the relatively new ones that use induction elements. These energy efficient induction stove tops transfer electromagnetic energy directly to heat pots and pans. However, induction stove tops require metal pots – cast iron, stainless steel, etc. – and aluminum or glass cookware will not work. The next best electric stove top are those that have ceramic glass surfaces, and these are also much easier to clean. The regular coiled electric stove tops are considered the least energy efficient, but are also the cheapest. If you do decide to go with a standard electric stove top, it is important to look for the highest efficiency ratings.

Durable Kitchen Utensils

When choosing kitchen utensils and cookware, the most environmentally friendly ones are those that are the most durable. Non-stick cookware are not known to last very long. In addition, possible health hazards caused by the peeling non-stick coatings are still being investigated. Cast iron or stainless steel cookware cost more, but last a long time. Wooden or plastic utensils also degrade over time, making durable metal utensils the greener choice.

Efficient Cooking Methods

The manner of cooking makes a big difference in the energy-efficiency of your kitchen. Using the correct cookware size can dramatically reduce energy consumption. Using a 6-inch pan on an 8-inch burner wastes about 40 percent of the heat output according to Energy Star. Using a microwave instead of an oven uses about a fifth of the energy. Also, using pressure cookers can save about 70 percent of the heat required to cook food. Cooking food in bulk at once saves a lot of energy also. Using ovens to cook food one after another uses a lot less energy than cooking them separately, as less heat is required to reheat the oven to high temperatures again.

Green Kitchen Chemicals

It is important to use environmentally-friendly surface cleaning liquids, dishwasher liquids and other chemicals around the kitchen. Not only are they non-toxic but also healthier and safer for the family and the planet. There are now many natural cleaning products available that are plant based and biodegradable, making them environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional cleaning liquids.