Summer Cooking Tips:
Keeping your kitchen cool during hot summer weather can be a challenge with all the cooking we do for our families. The range oven can generate enough heat to raise the temperature in your kitchen area and put a strain on your checkbook.
Using Alternative Cooking Appliances:
On hot days, plan meals that involve the use of different cooking appliances such as microwaves, crockpots, electric skillets, roaster ovens, grills & griddles, panini & sandwich makers, deep fryers or toaster ovens, which can either eliminate or reduce long range oven use.
A slow cooker is a wonderful way to keep your kitchen cool in the summer. With a slow cooker you can create wonderful meals without heating up your entire kitchen. Plus cooking in a slow cooker allows you to enjoy your day, rather than standing over a hot stove. A slow cooker will keep your kitchen cool in the summer.
If you want to be able to bake, but still keep your kitchen cool you may want to use a toaster oven. A toaster oven will allow you to bake just about anything, without having to use your regular oven. It’s best to have a model that’s big enough to hold regular sized pans so that you can create the same meals that you would in a regular oven.
A George Forman is a great way for you to keep your kitchen cool in the summer if you don’t have a way to cook outside. You can quickly prepare grilled meat and vegetables for a delicious meal. Also the cleanup is a snap.
Serve a Cold Buffet
Cold buffets are very refreshing on hot days and involve very little if any, cooking appliances. A great opportunity to use time-saving appliances like food processors, food choppers, deli slicers, breadmakers, and your beautiful relish and veggie trays.
Not only will these meals be refreshing, but they’ll be healthy as well. You could prepare sandwiches, salads, cold soups, etc. To add protein to your salads, buy chicken strips in the meat section of your supermarket.
Your family will love making their own cold plate from a choice of salads, greens, vegetables and dip, pickles and relishes, assorted cold cuts and fresh bread or buns.
Barbecue or Outside Grill
Barbecuing or grilling in the outdoors adds fun to any meal and keeps your kitchen cool during hot weather. You can cook almost anything on a grill.
Plan a Picnic
The whole family will enjoy a picnic at the beach, a park or in the country. You can even enjoy a picnic in your own back yard. These informal meal settings build great family memories for all involved.
Improve Kitchen Air Circulation & Cooling with a Ceiling Fan
Consider the benefits of changing your kitchen ceiling light to a ceiling fan with lighting fixture, to improve air circulation and provide a cooling breeze in your cooking area. Keep the cook cool and happy during meal preparation. I have a ceiling fan in my kitchen and would not have it any other way. It really helps keep your kitchen cooler.