No, I do not mean getting the chicken, rice, and broccoli all done at the same time, I am referring to being energy-efficient while cooking. Some aspects of cooking efficiently may seem fairly self-explanatory, but sometimes it is the most apparent and most logical things that are most easily forgotten, especially in a potentially stressful situation, such as cooking a meal. Here are a few quick tips to make your cooking experience an energy saving one at the same time:

• Use the right tools for the job - When possible, be sure to use only sturdy flat-bottomed pots and pans. This is especially true when cooking on an electric range, where the pot or pan's contact with the burner's surface determines how efficiently you are using the heat. Pots and pans with concave or warped bottoms will not use the heat as efficiently as a flat-bottomed one will. Also try and choose pots and pans made from highly conductive materials. Copper-bottom is always an efficient choice for the range, and glass and ceramic vessels are usually a more efficient choice for the oven.
• Size matters - This is applicable in a couple different ways. If you are using a 6" pan on an 8" burner, whether or not it is gas or electric, you are wasting roughly 40% of the heat produced by the burner. Whenever possible, always try to match up the pot or pan size as close as possible with the burner to minimize heat loss. Also be sure to choose the size of pot or pan that is relative to the item you are cooking. Do you have a significant amount of empty space surrounding the food? If so, in order to heat the food, that air needs to be heated as well, which uses additional energy. If you minimize the dead space, it will require less energy to heat and, as a result, less time to cook.
• Keep it clean - This may be hard to believe, but keeping both your range top and pan bottoms clean can contribute to the heat efficiency of your range. All of that black buildup that is so difficult to get off during that once-a-year "Spring Cleaning" can actually absorb a significant amount of heat and contribute to a less efficient heat source. So keep it clean to save energy and money, you will thank yourself the next time you go to clean your range!
• Defrosting - I know it may be tough to remember, but when you have to defrost that chicken for tomorrow's family dinner, do your best to think ahead and use the refrigerator as much as possible. This will avoid using running water or additional electricity with the microwave.
• Preheating - Preheating is often an essential step when cooking in the oven, but keeping preheating time to a minimum is a great way to save energy and money. Be aware of how long it actually takes for the oven to preheat and be sure to put your items in as soon as preheating is complete. While it may be tempting to turn the oven up to 375ºF and walk away and lose track of time making the potatoes to go with your roast, be sure to be ready to go when that oven beeps.