People looking for environmentally sound kitchens can start with eating things that are sustain-ably sourced, but that is not where you should stop. Using a range of cooking, cleaning, and even building methods that are low on resource consumption will help to keep the planet as healthy as possible. If you choose to use products that are free of harsh chemicals and made with renewable kitchen cabinets and materials instead, you can have a truly green kitchen that you will be proud of.

3 Quick Tips for Green Kitchens

  • Electric or Gas Cooking? The choice between electric and gas can cause a lot of confusion. While natural gas is not a renewable form of energy, and it is drawn from the planet, the same can be said about most electricity that’s generated in the US. The same goes for a lot of other countries too. This comes from the burning of coal, which is not eco-friendly in the slightest. Many chefs prefer gas for cooking, making it an obvious choice. Since you can turn it on and off instantly, there is little waste there. If you prefer to use an electric stove and oven, go for one that uses induction technology. This uses electromagnetic power to transfer the heat right onto your pots and pans. Compared to a traditional electric cooking element, this will use around half as much power.

  • Increase Your Mileage. There are loads of ways to waste things in the kitchen. You have to get a little pedantic if you want to make everything truly last. When you’re buying things to fill your kitchen, don’t assume that buying cheap is somehow less wasteful. Have you ever heard the the saying “buy cheap, buy twice?” It’s true a lot of the time. Buy utensils and cookware that is going to last a lifetime, so you won’t have to throw them out and buy new things. Non-stick pots and pans are particularly bad for this. Not only do they wear down quickly, but the negative effect they can have on people’s health is still under debate.
  • Cook With Less Power. All of the best energy-saving appliances won’t help unless you’re willing to put in some effort to cook in an energy-efficient way. You don’t need to preheat modern ovens these days. Doing so is just a waste of gas or electricity. There are some particularly delicate recipes that will need exact temperatures but other than that, there’s no need.

Green Doesn’t Have to Cost Much

The equipment and amount you might choose to spend is no match for the energy and devotion that you are willing to put into making your home’s kitchen a green one. Some people might get it into their head to go out and spend thousands, or tens of thousands, to make their kitchen completely green-friendly. But this is often just adding to the problem with the extreme amount of consumption that our society carries out on a daily basis.

The real trick in having a green kitchen involves using your sense to do things the smart way, and taking the time to learn the best ways. Money can’t buy these things, so don’t worry if you don’t have much to spare. The Earth doesn’t ask for big spending, but it does require your care.