Being green. Suggestions please!?

Question

I was cooking my beans on the hob this evening and, on my mission to
be greener in everything I do, wondered if it was greener to cook them
on the hob or in a microwave. On the one hand, microwaves are a big
waste of plastic / metal etc and are difficult to recycle, on the
other hand, it takes a lot of energy to warm up my cooker hob and
therefore contributes to Co2 emissions. What's the right thing to do?

I am on a personal mission to become a whole lot friendlier to my enironment. I'm fed up of living in chronic air polution 'smog' and seeing streams in the forest that look like bubble baths because of people using too many products. That's just the tip of the (melting) iceburg, but if anyone has any tips on how I can do it, I would be really greatful! I already recycle, walk where possable and take public transport everywhere. I buy local produce from the farmers markets too (yummy and good for the local econemy!)

Thanks people!

I was cooking my beans on the hob this evening and, on my mission to
be greener in everything I do, wondered if it was greener to cook them
on the hob or in a microwave. On the one hand, microwaves are a big
waste of plastic / metal etc and are difficult to recycle, on the
other hand, it takes a lot of energy to warm up my cooker hob and
therefore contributes to Co2 emissions. What's the right thing to do?

I am on a personal mission to become a whole lot friendlier to my enironment. I'm fed up of living in chronic air polution 'smog' and seeing streams in the forest that look like bubble baths because of people using too many products. That's just the tip of the (melting) iceburg, but if anyone has any tips on how I can do it, I would be really greatful!

And to James N, If we all did our bit, the world would be a better, cleaner place for our future generations. I alone can't save the world, but then neither can your degree.

And to James N, If we all did our bit, the world would be a better, cleaner place for our future generations. I alone can't save the world, but then neither can your degree.

Answer 1

Microwave by a long way. Cooking on a hob, especially gas wastes around 60% of its energy, ie only 40 % of the heat is cooking your food, the rest is heating up your kitchen. You could of course invest in an induction cooker, they are really effective, very little wasted heat and super quick. But you would need to invest in some need ferrous saucepans.
But if you have a microwave now, stick with it. Keep up the green thinking

Answer 2

You are thinking far too small. Recycling a few tin cans and taking a couple of walks will have NO significant impact to the environment. If you are truly serious about what you say, that is, if you are truly hell-bent on making the world greener, then you have to learn how to think bigger.

I offer you the following plan for greening up the planet:

1) Take lots of math classes and STUDY HARD. You will need them for the next step.

2) Go to college and get yourself a degree in one of the following:

chemistry
chemical engineering
electrical engineering
civil engineering
bio engineering
mechanical engineering
physics
genetics
materials science
etc...

3) Get a graduate degree by doing research that focuses on one of the following:

clean electric power generation (solar, wind, tidal, nuclear, etc)
alternative fuels
carbon sequstration
hydrogen fuel cells
hydrogen storage
superconductivity
etc...

4) Make some sort of breakthrough in your research that actually economizes a "green" energy source.

5) Get rich.

6) Live a life in the satisfaction that you actually made a significant impact on the global environment rather than wasting your time on the pros and cons of hobs versus microwaves.

I apologize if this sounds crass, but I am only trying to emphasize a point. You will only make a difference through real education and hard work. Study the problem; think bigger.

Answer 3

Electricity is quite inefficient; that is the energy released at the appliance is around 10% of the energy produced from combustion of the initial fuel.

If you use gas, the hob is around 15% efficient, so really, it makes little difference.

The cost is debatable; it depends on the price you pay, also on the amount of fuel used. That is, the microwave will be on for a shorter time, so use less of a more expensive fuel, which is produced rather less efficiently.

It's not a simple subject.

You could eat salad and avoid cooking, be healthier and save the planet that way.

Answer 4

If you already have a microwave then it's a lot quicker to use that hence less energy used, less CO2 emissions. If you don't have a microwave then get an electric steamer. It will use less energy than your electric hob because it is a smaller area to heat. The food tastes better and you get more goodness from it as well. It's the best thing I've ever bought for my kitchen and my health.

Answer 5

Well done to the idiot who suggested heating your microwave oven on the hob.
A case for "care in the community" .
The chinese have a very acute energy problem and induction rings or steaming seems to be the way to go

Answer 6

This doesn't really solve your microwave/hob dilema, but one way to be greener is to car share or even bike to work, school etc. (also helps cut down on traffic!) If your very brave you could use public transport, which does cost so thats a downer.
Hope that helps!

Answer 7

I would say the microwave is the better choice. It does not require fossil fuel and is cleaner all the way around. Yes, they are a bit to recycle but that is once every 5 years on average instead of every day all day for the fossil fuels needed to make (mine) gas and its byproducts.

Answer 8

try speeding up cooking times by placing your meal in the microwave whilst at the same time heating the microwave on the hob, your food in no time and you will be helping the entire world

Answer 9

On a survival course I was toaght to cook my food over a fire

The ashes make good compost to feed trees with, the branches from the same tree can be used for firewood again, see: now you have your own ecosystem

Answer 10

You might discuss this with someone at the local University Extension Service; they have free info on just about anything you can imagine and I bet you they have a whole fistful on saving energy.