Which is the most energy efficient ?

[pubrunner]

Might work? It has worked almost every day in the last 25 years for me!

You learn something everyday; I've never heard of boiling spuds in a microwave.

 

[summerdays]

You learn something everyday; I've never heard of boiling spuds in a microwave.

I think I picked up the idea from the back of the packet of potatoes ... those long, knobbly, narrow ones. You cover the bowl with microwave cling film with holes pierced in it.

 

[Doseone]

Generally heating something with electricity is the most efficient - it is 100% efficient ie for every unit of electricity one unit of heat is produced. However, the cost of gas in the UK is a lot cheaper than the cost of electricity, so while the kettle is more efficient, using the gas hob is probably cheaper.

 

[Archie_tect]

Generally heating something with electricity is the most efficient - it is 100% efficient ie for every unit of electricity one unit of heat is produced. However, the cost of gas in the UK is a lot cheaper than the cost of electricity, so while the kettle is more efficient, using the gas hob is probably cheaper.

Electricity, converted back into heat, has already wasted over 65% of it's 'efficiency' just getting to your house.

Keep a good fitting lid on the pan or use a pressure cooker for the most effective use during boiling on a hob.

 

[colly]

You need a sunny day, a LARGE magnifying glass, a dark coloured pan and lots of patience. Solar energy at it's best.

 

[snorri]

I think I picked up the idea from the back of the packet of potatoes ... those long, knobbly, narrow ones. You cover the bowl with microwave cling film with holes pierced in it.

That method was promoted by cling film manufacturers, a plate on top will do the job and is recyclable, and any shape of tattie will do as they are cut up anyway.

 

[Canrider]

I've always heard boiling the water in the kettle first was less efficient than heating it directly on the hob, but no exact reasons given as to why.
As to speed (cough)inductionhob(cough). Couple minutes max from cold to insaneboiling++

 

[summerdays]

That method was promoted by cling film manufacturers, a plate on top will do the job and is recyclable, and any shape of tattie will do as they are cut up anyway.

Err I'm still on the same pack of cling film I got many years ago as I don't cook those particular type of potatoes that often. Though I agree a plate would be better but Mr Summerdays bought the clingfilm to be helpful!!!.

 

[pubrunner]

That method was promoted by cling film manufacturers, a plate on top will do the job and is recyclable, and any shape of tattie will do as they are cut up anyway.

How long do they take in a microwave ?

Do they taste any different/better ?

 

[User482]

Electric elements (including kettles) are 100% efficient - every joule of electricity is converted into heat. But, gas costs about 2/3 less per unit, and produces 2/3 less carbon emissions (as others have noted, less than half the chemical energy in coal, oil or gas going into a power station arrives at your socket in the form of electrons). The cost of boiling water with each method is about the same.

Microwaves are more efficient than either, and I find they cook fine if you cut up the potatoes fairly small.

 

[snorri]

How long do they take in a microwave ?
Do they taste any different/better ?

A goodly portion for one person takes 9 minutes (2 x 4.5), taste good, don't need added salt, and you you get consistent results.

 

[pubrunner]

A goodly portion for one person takes 9 minutes (2 x 4.5), taste good, don't need added salt, and you you get consistent results.

Ta for that; I'll give it a try, next time I'm cooking.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

The cheapest option would be to crouch in your shoebox in the road, gnawing on a raw potato like we used to when I were a lass.



(Some parts of the above might not be 100% true.)

We'd have done that, if we could afford teeth.

 

[snailracer]

Electric elements (including kettles) are 100% efficient - every joule of electricity is converted into heat. But, gas costs about 2/3 less per unit, and produces 2/3 less carbon emissions (as others have noted, less than half the chemical energy in coal, oil or gas going into a power station arrives at your socket in the form of electrons). The cost of boiling water with each method is about the same.

Microwaves are more efficient than either, and I find they cook fine if you cut up the potatoes fairly small.

Are you sure about that? Microwaves ovens are not very efficient at generating microwaves - around 40% of the electricity going into them is wasted as electrical losses i.e. not converted to microwaves.

 

[User482]

Regarding why a microwave is more energy efficient.

A 3000W kettle takes around 2.5 minutes to boil a litre of water. That's 0.125 kWh energy consumption.
A 1000W microwave takes around 7 minutes to cook potatoes. That's 0.117 kWh.

Even without counting the energy required by a gas or electric hob to cook the potatoes, the microwave is more energy efficient.