Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
Subscribe
YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

3 reasons why a heated towel rack makes a difference in summer

3 reasons why a heated towel rack makes a difference in summer

5 ways to reduce your water use

5 ways to reduce your water use

Falling asleep just got easier because Kmart’s $49 weighted blanket is back!

Falling asleep just got easier because Kmart’s $49 weighted blanket is back!

Where to buy Australia’s best hot cross buns

Where to buy Australia’s best hot cross buns

{headline}

{headline}

Spotted: Past contestants return to compete in The Block 2021

Spotted: Past contestants return to compete in The Block 2021

Why you can't miss Kmart's new fashion for pets

Why you can't miss Kmart's new fashion for pets

This is Australia's Town of the Year for 2021

This is Australia's Town of the Year for 2021

{headline}

{headline}

Win this dreamy million-dollar waterfront property

Win this dreamy million-dollar waterfront property

Kmart’s ‘Online Exclusives’ furniture collection is finally here

Kmart’s ‘Online Exclusives’ furniture collection is finally here

You can now buy Golden Gaytime popcorn and Easter eggs

You can now buy Golden Gaytime popcorn and Easter eggs

BHG's Graham Ross honoured for his service to broadcast media

BHG's Graham Ross honoured for his service to broadcast media

6 of the most dangerous areas in Sydney

6 of the most dangerous areas in Sydney

Bunnings launch Lego-style $10 collectable toys

Bunnings launch Lego-style $10 collectable toys

You can now get your hands on a Nutella chocolate bar!

You can now get your hands on a Nutella chocolate bar!

Advertising Feature By Narta Smeg
  1. Home
  2. News

Quick and easy ways to save water and energy in the kitchen

Simple changes with big results - by Livia Gamble
  • 02 Oct 2019
Quick and easy ways to save water and energy in the kitchen

If you have no idea how much water and energy you are possibly wasting in the kitchen, you aren’t alone. Now more than ever, Australian households should be focusing on ways to save our precious resources. Luckily, there are some simple changes that you can make in the kitchen to reduce both water and energy usage. Here are nine quick and easy ways to save water in the kitchen.

1. Change the way you defrost 

It turns out how you defrost food matters. Instead of defrosting meat in a sink full of water, plan ahead and place frozen foods in the fridge overnight. Not only does this save water, but it’s also the safest way to defrost frozen meat. Winning!  

2. Your dishwasher matters

Not all dishwashers are created equal. While Smeg’s underbench dishwashers come in a range of stylish designs, they also feature patented Orbital Wash technology that ensures even water distribution and high-performance washing. Additionally, Smeg’s Active Aquatest  sensor automatically adjusts the water, temperature and wash action to suit the load. It’s Smart Dry feature means that, if selected, the door will open automatically after the wash cycle so that your dishes can air-dry naturally instead of with a fan. The result? A dishwasher that saves both water and energy ensuring a smarter, cleaner, greener wash.

Pick a dishwasher that is energy and water efficient
Narta

3. Size matters

Bigger pots and pans aren’t necessarily better. The larger the pot, the more water you need to fill it. So the next time you’re whipping up a delicious meal, choose your pot size wisely and save water. 

4. Steaming veg

Steaming is the best way to cook vegetables. This cooking method uses less water, and less water means your greens retain more nutrients. A great tip is to place the vegetable steamer on top of a pot of boiling rice or potatoes and cook two components with one element.

5. Reuse cooking water

Yes, water can be reused! Don’t let the water used to cook veggies and pasta go to waste. Instead, use it in the garden. Thirsty plants will enjoy the drink. What’s more, the extra nutrients in the water could provide some added fertiliser – just make sure you let it cool down first. 

Water the plants with water used to cook veggies and pasta
Getty

6. Avoid rinsing dirty dishes

Step away from the dishes: they don’t need rinsing. Scrape large chunks of food in the bin or compost, pop in the dishwasher and let the machine do what it was designed to do.

7. Fix leaky taps 

A dripping tap is enough to drive anyone around the bend, but it’s also a massive waste of water. Fun fact: one leaking tap, dripping one drop per minute wastes 1,440 drips a day, which is approximately 128 litres per year. Fixing those taps as soon as they spring a leak can make a huge difference. 

A dripping tap wastes so much water. Get them repaired
Getty

8. Fill the sink

‘Slow and steady wins the race’ – right? Well, this applies to washing your fruit and veg too. Sure, rinsing produce under a running tap might be quicker, but it sure does waste more water. Instead of letting the tap run, fill the sink and wash fruit and vegetables in the basin. 

9. Cover your pots and pans

Save time and energy by covering your pots and pans while cooking. Trapping in the heat helps the food cook faster on a lower setting, uses less energy, and, in the long run, saves you money.

Every little bit counts! 

Livia Gamble
Livia Gamble
Based in Sydney, Livia Gamble will not sleep until she has discovered every possible way to use bi-carb soda and vinegar. When she isn’t reporting on ways to improve your home and garden, she can be found knitting socks (by choice) and will never say no to pizza.

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Subscribe for $4.95 per issue

Subscribe Now
Get your mag delivered!

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Subscribe for $4.95 per issue

Subscribe Now
Get your mag delivered!

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

3 reasons why a heated towel rack makes a difference in summer

3 reasons why a heated towel rack makes a difference in summer

5 ways to reduce your water use

5 ways to reduce your water use

Falling asleep just got easier because Kmart’s $49 weighted blanket is back!

Falling asleep just got easier because Kmart’s $49 weighted blanket is back!

Where to buy Australia’s best hot cross buns

Where to buy Australia’s best hot cross buns

{headline}

{headline}

Spotted: Past contestants return to compete in The Block 2021

Spotted: Past contestants return to compete in The Block 2021

Why you can't miss Kmart's new fashion for pets

Why you can't miss Kmart's new fashion for pets

This is Australia's Town of the Year for 2021

This is Australia's Town of the Year for 2021

{headline}

{headline}

Win this dreamy million-dollar waterfront property

Win this dreamy million-dollar waterfront property

Kmart’s ‘Online Exclusives’ furniture collection is finally here

Kmart’s ‘Online Exclusives’ furniture collection is finally here

You can now buy Golden Gaytime popcorn and Easter eggs

You can now buy Golden Gaytime popcorn and Easter eggs

BHG's Graham Ross honoured for his service to broadcast media

BHG's Graham Ross honoured for his service to broadcast media

6 of the most dangerous areas in Sydney

6 of the most dangerous areas in Sydney

Bunnings launch Lego-style $10 collectable toys

Bunnings launch Lego-style $10 collectable toys

You can now get your hands on a Nutella chocolate bar!

You can now get your hands on a Nutella chocolate bar!

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • Airtasker
  • 7NEWS
  • SocietyOne
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Shop This Offer
Get your mag delivered!