How to set up a water-wise kitchen

Due to the water scarcity in South Africa, everyone knows that every drop of water counts. From the food you choose to how you cook and clean, small changes can make a big difference in saving water. Here’s how to make your kitchen a little water-wise without much compromise.

Tips for using less water while cooking and cleaning

1. Choose water-wise foods

Choose foods that require less water for production and cooking. Examples include legumes, potatoes, kale, zucchini, and mushrooms. Try to limit foods with high water footprints, such as meat, dairy, rice, avocados, and almonds.

2. Rather steam than boiling

Boiling food tends to use a lot of water and energy. A simple alternative that is practical and impactful is steaming. Steaming not only saves water but also helps food retain its nutrients that can get lost during boiling. Using a steamer means you won’t have to fill an entire pot with water, which means you’ll use less water every time you cook.

3. Always cook with a lid

Most pots come with a well-fitted lid that helps to retain steam and heat. This helps contribute to reducing cooking time and conserving water. You need to be mindful of the amount of water you use for soups and sauces. If you’ve used too much and need to evaporate a large amount to intensify flavours, you’ll be wasting a precious resource. Prevent this by instead adding less water and topping up until satisfied.

4. Reuse cooking water

Water used to boil or steam vegetables is rich in nutrients and flavours that are perfect to serve as the base for stocks, soups, and even sauces. You need to let the water cool and use it to water your garden or house plants, especially if you want to continue remaining sustainable in the kitchen.

5. Opt for a dishwasher

Modern dishwashers use less water than hand washing dishes does! Rather invest in a dishwasher instead of washing dishes by hand, but just make sure to run it once it’s filled.

6. Add water-saving tools

To make things easier, you can install tap aerators or jet regulators to limit water flow. Having these can contribute to your kitchen remaining sustainable. So consider solar geysers or pumps to make your kitchen more efficient overall.

Image Credit: Pexels

Cooking water-wise doesn’t mean you have to compromise on flavour. Try recipes that use minimal pots, quick-cook ingredients, or water-efficient methods like steaming, roasting, or one-pot cooking.

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