Comments on: 5 Low-Cost Ways To Green Your Kitchen

By: heather

heather — Fri, 28 May 2010 14:40:42 +0000

@Linda, I never thought of dryer lint that way but that’s a really great idea! You’re exactly right…all it is is parts of our clothing going out the tube. Definitely a good motivator for line drying!

By: Linda Gliedt

Linda Gliedt — Thu, 27 May 2010 19:57:38 +0000

Hello Heather, I’ve just discovered your website and Bravo for GREAT ideas. I can’t locate you laundry section quickly so you may have already suggested these: 35+ years ago I looked at the dryer lint and decided it was our clothing disappearing. I dry towels and socks to the damp stage then hang on towel bars. ALL the clothes dry for 3-5 minutes for wrinkle removal then go on hangers, hung on the door frames of their owners. Saves the clothes, the dryer, the electric, time, and nasty, wrinkled folding from a basket. Sheets go on a clothes line.
Since 1972, with my first dishwasher, I have always opened the door for drying.

By: Robyn

Robyn — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 02:43:45 +0000

Howdy,
I’ve chimed in here before about giving up the car as a way to save money and buck our society’s conventional mantra that everyone has to have a car (I also know there are the exceptions).
But NOW I have to chime in and say that I really don’t think a refrigerator is essential — after months of deliberation and debate, I finally pulled the plug – literally – and have gone fridge-free! I sold mine on craigslist and have been adjusting my eating habits so that I am not dependent on refrigeration. It can be done. In addition to the money and energy savings – huge, as your chart points out – I am thrilled to have the physical space in my tiny kitchen.
And can you believe it – there is a whole blog on just this topic – http://ditchyourfridge.blogspot.com I found this in my research about living fridgeless.

I love to test the outer edges of “normal” expectations and this was my latest venture I had to share with you and your readers. I wrote about it on my blog in a 3-part series if you want the full story.

Then, ancy for another appliance to be rid of, I purged my microwave today. I rarely used it anyway.

I think making significant changes requires pushing the limits just a bit, then a bit more until it’s a little uncomfortable, and getting ok with that discomfort. Soon it is not uncomfortable. Then we take it to another level.
I’m still attached to some of my comforts (I do use some electicity and running water) but like to be challenged to see what I can happily live without.

By: patty

patty — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 04:10:43 +0000

Thank you so much, I never really stopped to think (maybe I should a
little more often),about the papertowel issue.I’ have some of those
shamie thingies,I’ll cut those up and use those aloong with my hus-bunny’s old t-shirts.thanks again.

By: heather

heather — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:22:43 +0000

Hi Julie,

Yes, I didn’t even think about slow cookers when I wrote this, and just today Squawkfox.com wrote a great post, “6 Reasons To Use A Slow Cooker” (link: http://tinyurl.com/b79wno).

One thing she found was that slow cookers use 50% less energy than a full-sized oven.

Eureka!

I haven’t used mine at all since I became a vegetarian (lack of good recipes!) but I’m going to drag mine out and start searching again.

Thanks so much for writing in!

By: Julie Satterfield

Julie Satterfield — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:17:57 +0000

I am a big supporter of the slow-cooker. Uses tons less energy as either the microwave or the oven, does not heat up the entire kitchen, uses only one “pot” that needs to be cleaned and can be plugged in and forgotten until it is time for a yummy supper. Anything that you can make in the oven or stovetop can be done in a slow-cooker. Love ‘em, love ‘em, love ‘em!

By: heather

heather — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 18:41:37 +0000

Hi Layla,

Yeah, I’ve read conflicting reports on microwaves; most of what I read said that the new ones are completely safe. There are a few dissenters, however, so I guess you just have to decide on your own.

For me, the microwave is essential!

I just donated all my teflon pots and pans today (Goodwill was very happy), and am transiting over to my cast iron. I’m originally from the South, so some of the cast iron I have has been in my family a long time. I did go out and buy one stainless steel pan, so I think I’m all set!

You brought up some great tips here too, Layla, so thanks for writing those in!

By: Layla

Layla — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 15:15:58 +0000

I hate teflon too!! (was always suspicious about it, especially as we had some really scratched pans at the dorm..) now even sis who was a firm proponent dislikes to use it as it’s supposed to be bad for birds (we have a budgie)

Well, about the microwave – I have to disagree here – we’ve read some really bad stuff about microwaves & their influence on food & health, so we avoid using it..
I do agree about using the oven less. and maybe combining with other baking, so it doesn’t have to heat 3 times fully from scratch..

There are other ways to green the cooking – eg turn off the gas/electric stove when not so fully cooked yet, the heat helps stuff cook to the end!! (works for pasta & rice & beans etc, you do need to figure out when to turn off so you still like the taste..)

WOW, cast iron – you’re so lucky to have this!! Still on our ‘to get’ list…