Are modern microwaves really energy savers?
” Traditional microwaves use much less energy than ovens, but newer microwave models waste more and more energy left on standby to power clocks and digital displays. But you can, of course, turn them off at the wall. See our article on avoiding leaving appliances on standby. “Could a ready-meal be more energy-efficient than home cooking?” Hard to imagine one of those pre-packaged ready-meals could be a better bet than cooking from scratch with fresh ingredients, isn’t it? But a recent Swedish study suggests we’re far less likely to chuck out pre-prepared food, so it accounts for fewer methane emissions from landfill. The jury’s still out on this one – but see “How do I do it?” for more cooking tips. It’s also worth remembering that many scientists believe it’s not how the food is cooked but what it is that matters most. (Read our articles on eating less meat and more local, seasonal food). “Are induction hobs the way forward?” Billed as super-efficient, induction hobs use only half the
