INSPO | The Eco Kitchen
Welcome to the Eco Kitchen
With the world in crisis about pollution & waste, I think it is safe to say that we’ve all become a little bit more aware of how we can do our bit to support the health of the planet. With this at the forefront of our minds, there have been some fantastic innovations in the kitchen industry that all have reduce & reuse built in to their core. Whether you are refurbing or building here are some of my favourite eco-friendly features that you can add to your existing kitchen, or include in a new kitchen, to ensure that your home is a little easier on the environment.
Integrated recycling
Councils are becoming increasingly strict about waste & recycling, so it’s really important that we organise our waste properly. Not only to avoid fines & ensure regular collections but to simply reduce our single-use waste as much as possible. Although they can often be overlooked, the kitchen bin can make a huge difference in assisting with your household waste control. Ranging between 2-4 compartments & holding up to 84L, the Blum Eco Top bins are great for keeping your waste organised & ready to be recycled. Each model requires only 1 cabinet (of varying sizes) & includes an internal lid & removable compartments. Recycling has never been so easy.
Instant boiling water taps
Boiling water taps are a great way to start reducing your water & energy usage. Although a staple in the British home, our beloved kettle is one of the most notorious small appliances for wasting both water & energy. Adding a Quooker tap (my recommended brand) to your kitchen will instantly tackle these problems. Not only will you reduce your water waste, but your energy & plastic usage can all be minimised at the same time. By providing the exact amount of boiling water as & when you need it, there is no need to re-boil or empty the kettle (we can all be guilty of this). In standby mode, a Quooker tap costs just 3p a day to run. All while giving you regular hot & cold, 100°C boiling, filtered, & with the addition
of the new CUBE tank, sparkling water all from one tap.
Team your Quooker with a reusable thermo flask to use on the go, keep your cold drinks cold & your hot drinks hot while reducing your plastic footprint. I love the cool designs from Chilly Bottles who produce gorgeous flasks, travel mugs & food pots.
Switch to induction
This can sometimes be a tricky topic with my clients because the switch from gas to induction can feel quite difficult if you’re used to cooking with a flame. Aside from smart safety features & a sleek appearance, induction hobs can be incredibly eco-friendly too. The first & most obvious reason is for giving up on fossil fuels & switching to electricity which can be a much more sustainable option.
Induction works through a direct magnetic connection between the hob & the pan which offers unrivalled accuracy compared to gas, heating only the pan & its contents (Shown by the Fisher & Paykel hob below). Even the surrounding areas of the hob will stay cool, keeping down energy loss while ensuring maximum cooking results. Thanks to power boost modes, you can boil water twice as quickly as a standard kettle whilst using less energy in the process. If a Quooker tap isn’t for you, consider an induction kettle instead of a regular one. It will save time & energy & can be easily stored away when not in use as it doesn’t need to be plugged in, a dream for any minimalist.
Vacuum drawer
If you’re serious about reducing food waste, a vacuum drawer is a great addition to the kitchen. It’s a compact & clever built-in appliance that will blend seamlessly with your ovens. This little drawer allows you to completely reseal your tins & glass jars for storing, packets & bags for freezing, sous vide cooking or even travel, (great for taking baby food on the go) ultimately resulting in minimal to very little food waste per household. Some containers such as glass jars can be vacuum sealed over & over again which further eliminates the use of zip-lock bags, single use plastics will soon be a thing of the past.
Which of these suggestions would love to have in your dream (eco friendly) kitchen? Let me know in the comments below & let's keep the conversation going.
See you next time,
Francesca
