Holiday cooking doesn’t have to drain your energy — or your flavor. Learn a small change that can make a big difference.

The holidays are a time when families come together for meals and celebrations. Thanksgiving usually means a lot of cooking and the oven working overtime. Recently, someone asked me a question about cooking and the extra appliances many of us have in our kitchens: If I use a slow cooker all day, does it consume a lot of energy?

It’s a great question, and the answer might surprise you. Because a slow cooker is smaller and cooks at lower temperatures, it uses far less energy than an oven. Even if it runs for several hours, the total energy consumed is typically much lower. The oven heats a large cavity of air to a high temperature, even if you’re only cooking one dish. A slow cooker, on the other hand, directs its heat to the food itself. The result is delicious food with lower energy use.  

More Ways to Save Energy While Entertaining

Of course, the slow cooker isn’t your only tool for cutting energy use during the holidays. Customers often overlook simple changes that add up:

1. Be prepared: Thaw food overnight in the fridge and prep before heating the oven. You usually only need 5–8 minutes to preheat, and when roasting or broiling you can skip it altogether.
2. No-bake delights: Try chilled cheesecakes or fruit parfaits — no oven required.
3. LED ambiance: Create a holiday atmosphere with LED candles and string lights. They look festive and use far less electricity than traditional lighting.
4. Don’t peek: Each time you open the oven door, heat escapes and your appliance works harder. Use the oven light instead and remember to switch it off after checking.
5. Think small appliances: Beyond the slow cooker, pressure cooker, toaster ovens, and stovetop pans can often cook small dishes more efficiently than heating a full oven.

It may seem counterintuitive, but slower, smaller cooking methods often use less energy than a quick blast of high heat in the oven. Pairing that approach with simple changes like no-bake desserts, LED lighting and efficient appliances can help you serve up holiday meals that are festive, delicious and a little easier on your wallet.

Here are some other ways to get your wallet to thank you:
Visit the House of Savings virtual experience to find simple and practical ways to save on your energy bill. Get personalized insights on your energy consumption with our free Energy Manager tool.