Oven vs. slow cooker: Which appliance is more energy efficient?

Q: Which is more energy efficient for preparing your dinner: a slow cooker running for about eight hours or an oven cooking your meal for just one hour?

A: You may be surprised, but under the right settings, it’s actually your slow cooker!

Not only are slow cookers ideal for people who want to leave dinner to simmer away and attend to other errands, they work out to be one of the cheapest appliances to cook with in the kitchen.

The electricity usage of an electric oven is estimated to be around two to 2.2kWh, compared to a slow cooker at just 0.7kWh.

An oven uses far more energy than a microwave also, which sits between 0.6 and 1.5kWh.
In the cold and dreary winter months, nothing tastes (or smells) better than a warming curry, soup, stew, casserole or tagine.

The beauty of a slow cooker is that while dinner’s being prepared, you rarely have to lift a finger.

Article original source: The West Australian Online- WA Energy Challenge Supplement

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Synergy acknowledges the Traditional Custodians throughout Western Australia and their continuing connection to the land, water and community. We pay our respects to all members of the Aboriginal communities and their cultures; and to Elders past, present and emerging.