What uses less electricty? a cooker or microwave?

Question

Comparing using the hob or gas to the microwave to cook something small eg scramble eggs, beans

(and yes, you can cook scrambled eggs in a microwave!)

Answer 1

A microwave uses less electricity.

A cooker has an element that electricity passes through. The element resists the flow of electricity causing it to heat up. Some of the electrical energy used is absorbed by the food and the rest is lost to the vessel and air surrounding the cooker.

A microwave converts electricity into microwave radiation. As these waves travel through food they are absorbed creating heat; foods are effectively cooked from the inside out. As long as you use materials that do not absorb the microwave radiation there is really no meaningful heat loss to the air or surrounding vessel.

Answer 2

Microwave

Answer 3

A microwave's electricity is converted to electromagnetic energy that is directly transferred to the food items, therefore it is more efficient.

A cooker just heats the air or uses radiated heat, much of which is lost.

Answer 4

The microwave uses less energy than the stovetop because it's enclosed. Some of the heat on the stovetop is lost to the surrounding atmosphere.

Answer 5

Microwave I think

Answer 6

Microvae uses less electricity and make the food ready quicker, i use only microwave

Answer 7

It's definitely a cokker because the cooker uses gas, not electricity.

Answer 8

They both use a lot of power. If you can, cook with gas and not electricity. That is the most energy efficient way to heat things; with gas. Same with water heating and room heating. Gas is better than electricity for all kinds of heating.