Food service equipment

More energy efficient practices for your cooking facilities can benefit your business greatly, with significant cost savings and reduced wastage.

Use appliances efficiently

Switch on equipment only when you’re about to use it, as most kitchen equipment takes just 10 minutes to pre-heat
Pre-heat ovens only when needed, and minimise the number of times you open oven doors. Consider alternatives such as microwave ovens and electric fry pans, as these appliances use less electricity and can cook food faster than conventional ovens, which saves electricity and reduces costs
During slow periods, turn off griddles, broilers and range burners, and turn ovens off after baking
During quiet periods, turn off or slow down exhaust hoods
If exhaust hoods are close to an air conditioned or heated area, ensure an outside air supply is provided in the kitchen near the cooker, so the exhaust fan will not extract expensively conditioned air
Use the smallest appliance you can, rather than one large appliance which can waste electricity during quieter periods
Use the right amount of water for the food you are cooking, and make sure you don’t overfill
Cook with lids on pots and kettles to cut electricity costs in half
Food cooked under pressure will cook more rapidly. Although this equipment operates at higher temperatures, the reduced cooking time results in a net reduction in electricity usage
Use the right size cooking equipment, and don’t fill it beyond its recommended capacity
Ensure you fully load the dishwasher, because a half-filled machine will use the same amount of electricity
Check that your display cases have insulated night covers.

When purchasing kitchen appliances, check their energy efficiency rating as there can be significant differences between models and brands
Wherever possible, purchase insulated cooking equipment to ensure it retains more heat
Replacing broilers with smooth or grooved griddles can significantly reduce your electricity usage
Replace your old, high-volume kitchen sprayers with high-velocity, low-flow models
To ensure cooking equipment is used efficiently, invest in thermostats and timers
Second hand equipment may be less energy efficient and more expensive to run, so think twice before you buy.

Clean, well-maintained equipment helps save electricity. Develop a preventive maintenance schedule that takes into account both the manufacturer's suggested schedule and the way you use equipment
High quality equipment, such as pots with well-fitting lids and flat bases, can help make sure heat is transferred effectively, saving energy
Check that oven seals are in good condition, and adjust door latches so that oven doors fit tightly.