Mayfield Electric & Water Systems

• Set the refrigerator temperature between 36 - 40 degrees, the freezer no colder than zero.
• Open the doors as seldom as possible, then close them quickly.
• Cool foods to room temperature before placing them in the refrigerator unless otherwise specified in the recipe.
• Defrost manual refrigerators when frost is 1/4" thick.
• Remove contents and unplug your second refrigerator--unless you really need it. (In most cases, state law requires that all unused refrigerators have the door removed or locked so children cannot open them.)
• Keep condenser coils clean.
• Keep freezer full.  The fuller the freezer, the less cold air you lose when you open the door.

• Select pots and pans that fit the heating units.
• Use flat-bottomed utensils with tight fitting lids.
• Don't preheat the oven unless the recipe instructs you too.
• When broiling, it is not always necessary to preheat.
• Avoid opening the oven door until food is cooked.  Use a timer.
• Thaw frozen foods (except vegetables) before cooking unless otherwise specified by the recipe.
• Cook vegetables in the smallest amount of water possible.  Use a tight-fitting lid to quickly bring the water to a boil, then reduce the setting to the lowest temperature to finish cooking.
• Plan meals so several foods can cook simultaneously in the oven.
• After cooking, turn the oven off and used stored heat to warm rolls, etc.
• Pressure cookers save energy by shortening cooking time.

• If you use only a few dishes a day, run the dishwasher once a week.  Washing full loads of dishes uses less water than washing them all by hand.
• If you rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, use cold water.
• Use energy-saving cycles, if available.
• Skip the drying cycle and let dishes air dry.
• use only cold water in your garbage disposal.  It not only conserves energy but prevents plumbing problems as well.

• Use when reheating leftovers, takeout foods, and convenience foods.
• Use for speedy thawing of frozen foods.
• Use in food preparation for recipes calling for melted butter or hot liquids or sauces.
• Use when preparing or cooking a single dish.  If several items are to be cooked at the same time, the conventional oven may be more economical.
• Substitute the microwave oven for the conventional oven whenever possible in the summertime.  The microwave doesn't heat up the kitchen.

• A toaster oven can be used in place of the conventional oven for toasting, heating, and cooking small quantities of food.
• Any small cooking appliance will be more economical than using the range.