5 simple tips for saving water in the kitchen every day

Water is a precious resource, and in the kitchen it's omnipresent. Washing hands, cleaning fruit and vegetables, cooking food, washing dishes... These everyday gestures can quickly lead to a considerable waste of water. Fortunately, there are simple and effective ways of reducing our consumption. Here are 5 practical tips to help you save water and still cook to your heart's content.

1. Prefer cooking without water: oven, frying pan and grill

One of the best ways to limit the use of water in the kitchen is to choose cooking methods that require little or no water. Ovens, frying pans and grills are ideal for cooking vegetables and meats while preserving their flavor. For example, you can grill vegetables such as asparagus or zucchinis in the oven rather than boiling them. These methods not only reduce water consumption, but also preserve the natural taste of the food.

If you prefer cooking with water, opt for steaming. This technique requires much less water and can even allow you to recover the liquid for use in soups or sauces. What's more, steaming is fast and preserves food nutrients better.

2. Multiply your uses by cooking several foods at the same time

Cooking several foods at the same time in a single pot or pan reduces both cooking time and water consumption. For example, when you cook pasta, you can save the water to cook hard-boiled eggs, vegetables or legumes.

This trick is also very practical for preparing several meals in advance, while reducing the amount of dishes to be washed.

3. Reuse cooking water for other purposes

Rather than throwing water away after cooking pasta, rice or vegetables, give it a second life. Use it to make broths, soups or sauces. Vegetable cooking water is rich in nutrients and can add flavor to your dishes. You can also use it to water your plants once cooled, provided it contains no salt or seasonings.

4. Avoid washing with running water during cooking.

Washing vegetables, fruit or dishes by hand under running water can quickly become a source of waste. Rather than washing each ingredient under a trickle of water, opt for tubs or bowls of water to rinse your produce in one go. You can also wash your utensils or plates in a sink filled with soapy water, to avoid letting the water run continuously.

5. Optimize the use of your dishwasher

Dishwashers are another major source of water consumption in the kitchen. However, used correctly, it can be more economical than washing by hand. Be sure to fill the dishwasher before starting it up, to maximize its efficiency. On average, a dishwasher uses 13 to 15 liters of water per cycle, whereas hand-washing can require up to 36 liters of water. What's more, you don't need to rinse your plates before putting them in the dishwasher. This reduces the amount of water used.

Reducing water consumption in the kitchen doesn't require any major changes in your habits, just a few small daily gestures. By choosing water-free cooking methods, optimizing the use of your dishwasher and adopting more responsible dishwashing and defrosting practices, you can help preserve this precious resource. These small gestures can have a big impact in the long term. So, are you ready to take up the challenge of saving water in the kitchen?

By Candice Lhomme