Comparing the Cost of Cooking Using a Slow Cooker & a Thermal/Hay Box Cooker - Energy Prices October '22

[GadgetGal]

I've used haybox/pressure/slow cookers for years, use them all now but don't get into a panic about cost, do your homework.

1 Unit of electricity rounded up is 30p
My kettle is 3kw so 3 units per hour turned on and running =90p per hour

500ml cold water to boil 1 minute, so cost of your brew 1.5p

Electric showers are often 10kw so £3 per hour running = 5p per minute, you 5min shower will set you back 25p, four in the family works out at £1 day so cut your shower back to under two mins

Power is expensive but put it into perspective

I can assure you, I did more than "homework", I actually undertook some reasonably good *research. I'm retired now but my former profession relied on robust, substantive primary research and I undertook a research based masters degree so research/"homework" was my 'bread & butter' and a skill I have maintained.

Like you, I am fortunate that, at present, I don't have to be 'over cautious' about the energy I use but I have worked in some of the most deprived areas in the country and I know that some people are genuinely frightened about this coming winter and may have to choose between eating and heating. Having spoken recently to a few local food bank managers, I was told that some people who use their service are specifically asking for food that doesn't need cooking because they can't afford the cost of heating it.

Incidentally, from 1st October, which is what I was referring to, the "rounded up" energy costs are:
Gas – 10.33p kWh; Electricity – 34.05p kWh ... not 30p for electricity. Also, slow cooking takes several hours - more than 1 unit of electricity.

I wasn't trying to compare or cost using a kettle, shower or any other appliance (and your kettle would cost £1.02 per hour, 'rounded down', not 90p.) There might not be much difference but if you want to comment that someone should "do [their] your homework" may I suggest that you check your own figures first and read what the post was actually about.

The purpose of the *research was originally for people elsewhere, not specifically 'here', who are really struggling with energy costs and I was trying to 'educate' them about the savings and benefits of thermal cooking - most people have never heard of them. I am aware that hay boxes/thermal cookers have been discussed on this forum in the past as a useful 'prepper' tool and that is why I also posted my findings here - they are part of a 16 page document.

My "homework"/*research included looking at dozens of different slow cookers in the UK and USA and then taking an average of 12 'typical' slow cookers. I excluded multi cooker of all types because it's impossible to attribute wattages to specific settings and doing so would have 'skewed' the 'average wattage'. Also, many people caught in the 'poverty trap' can't afford the 'better' multi cookers (e.g. Instant Pot and Ninja pressure cookers) but many of the same people do own slow cookers and falsely believe that they are the most cost effective means of cooking a meal.

I trust that I have now clarified what my post was intended to illustrate, why it was done as it was and that I have "done [my] your homework"!

[rik_uk3]

1 Unit of electricity rounded up is 30p
My kettle is 3kw so 3 units per hour turned on and running =90p per hour

500ml cold water to boil 1 minute, so cost of your brew 1.5p

Which is why my 1Kw microwave is a cheaper way to cook some things than the hob.

e.g Frozen beans with a tablespoon of water = 3 minutes on the microwave. On the hob I need to add more water to prevent burning and it takes longer. Christmas pud and "steamed puddings" are also microwave wins taking under 5 minutes instead of an hour or more simmering on the hob as the sugar & fat heat very quickly in a microwave.

Microwaves are good for what they are, a way of heating food quickly but you can't bake good bread or make a good roast meat joint et al in a microwave and this is where you have to ask what you want from your food, it comes down to quality vs cost and or course your budget, the choice is yours. To be honest I love cooking, I'm a white haired foodie and some things you can't do fast but its your decision. I love electric slow cookers but at a little over 1kw its going to run at around 4p-5p an hour to run on average given they don't run all the time but how much is a pressure cooker on a gas hob? The same meal in a stove top pressure cooker on a gas ring will be a lot cheaper.

Let logic and reality rule your head and budget and not panic.

Just my view on things.

[GillyBee]

I finally got around to cooking a ham in the Shuttlechef so here is my report.
Standard 1Kg boneless ham joint
In the pan with water added nearly to the top, making sure this covered the ham
Lid on, bring to boil and simmer 15 mins. Estimated fuel use 0.5KWh or 19p.
Into the Shuttlechef.
Checked temps after 4 hours. Water and the centre of the ham were both at 83C. I could have served it up but left it until we were ready to eat. I did not bother to bring the pan back to the boil but would have done if the temperate was lower and the meat not hot enough inside
An hour later and both had dropped to 78C.
If anything, the ham was slightly overcooked. I did not try to glaze or brown the skin which was clearly just boiled. A coloured glaze would be the lowest energy way to hide this. Family were happy with the result.
I may try a pulled pork next. I'll use a roasting bag to avoid a watery result for that trial.

[Frnc]

My new flask is great for pasta. I do all my pasta in it. It's a Thermos 710ml food flask, currently 33% off at £18. It's perfect for one person. Cooks in 10 minutes. It's easy to clean. I give it a shake after I fill it, and before I tip it out. Only once has a bit of pasta stuck, which was at the end of a packet, when a few broken bits came out, and it can off easily.
For 2 people you might need a bigger one, or some way to insulate a saucepan.