The kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where you spend time preparing meals. Depending on the size of your home and kitchen, it’s also where you share meals, complete school or work projects, and entertain. As essential as the kitchen is to your home and everyday life, you also know it’s where you spend a lot of time and money. From cooking and cleaning to maintenance and repairs, completing daily tasks in the kitchen requires a lot.
Luckily, you can cut costs in the kitchen. The right additions can save you time and money in the most commonly used room in the house. Below are a few suggestions.
Energy-Efficient Appliances
The appliances you use to store and prepare food requires a gas or electrical source. Not to mention, many of them remain plugged in 24 hours a day. Unfortunately, it drives your utility bills higher. How do you resolve this issue? You invest in energy-efficient appliances. There are stoves, refrigerators, freezers, and kitchen gadgets that use less energy to operate.
Water-Conserving Devices
Gas and electricity aren’t the only resources frequently used in the kitchen; you also use a lot of water. You can conserve water and save money by installing water-conserving devices like a motion-sensor faucet. Whether you’re washing your hands, rinsing veggies, or doing the dishes, the sensor enables the tap to turn off and on automatically to reduce waste.
Reverse Osmosis Systems
Did you know that the quality and purity of the water you use in the kitchen can affect your health and finances? The minerals, chemicals, and other contaminants found in your water can cause issues with your skin, digestive system, and other bodily organs. They can also result in plumbing problems and the need for constant maintenance, and premature repairs. Installing a reverse osmosis system ensures you have clean water that reduces all of these problems, saving you money and improving your overall quality of life.
Quality Food Storage Containers
According to Forbes, the average American household wastes about 30-40% of their food every year. That equates to more than $1,500 wasted annually. Although several factors play a role (economic status, diet, types of food purchased, etc.), improper storage is high on the list. Unlike canned, boxed, and overly-processed foods that tend to last longer, fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats require storage.
If you fail to store these foods properly or purchase poor-quality containers, the items spoil faster, causing you to discard them and the money you spent on them. Therefore, you must invest in quality storage containers or bags with tight seals to keep your food fresher longer.
Portion Control Products
Another culprit of food waste is overserving. You put more food on your plate than you can eat. When you’re full, you throw the rest in the trash or throw the leftovers in the fridge but never consume the food. Portion control products can help you reduce waste and save money. They have utensils and dishes that help you serve the proper portions, which reduce over-indulging and throwing away food. It also helps to note that portion control can result in healthy weight loss.
Kitchen Gadgets
The stove, oven, and microwave are the most frequently used appliances and gadgets when cooking. However, they require high energy usage. You can save money and time while preparing healthy and delicious meals by purchasing specific kitchen gadgets like a crockpot, air fryer, electric smoker, or toaster oven. They reduce the need to use larger appliances that drain more energy while enabling you to cook meals you enjoy.
There’s a reason that kitchens are one of the key selling points for a house or apartment. They’re one of the most significantly and commonly used rooms in your living space. Be that as it may, you spend a lot of money in the kitchen. The most efficient way to reduce waste, save time, and boost your savings is to consider kitchen additions like those listed above.