The kitchen is a sanctuary, a place to prepare a satisfying meal and enjoy it after a tough day of work or school. Accordingly, many people put great effort into making their kitchen look appealing and comfortable. But what about energy efficiency? Left unchecked, kitchens have the potential to become energy hogs that sabotage our efforts to be green elsewhere in life! Here are 8 ways to right ship and transform any kitchen into a green kitchen.

Solar ovens

(Images via SolarCooking, Ethicurean, )

For those truly committed to green cooking, solar ovens offer a fun and interesting alternative to conventional gas or electric models. Many foods can be safely and properly heated using little more than an oven similar those pictured above and natural, free-as-air light from the sun. Those interested can either buy a ready-made model (first image) or construct one of their own (second image.)

Aluminum can crusher

(Image via GadgetGrid)

It’s not 1995 anymore – everyone knows it’s a good idea to recycle. The problem is that it’s not always easy or convenient! Who really wants to lug a bag full of aluminum cans out to the recycling bin (especially during the cold winter months?) No one. Luckily, this aluminum can crusher makes the task much less daunting! Simply crush all empty cans and store them until enough have accumulated for a single trip out to the bin.

Owl energy monitor

(Image via SmarterProducts)

The Owl electricity monitor is the perfect kitchen gadget for getting real-time information on your home’s overall energy use. Sit this baby on the counter and you’ll know, every time a light or appliance is turned on anywhere in the house, how much electricity you are using, how much money it is costing you, and how much CO2 your home is emitting.

Water-powered clock

(Image via EnviroGadget)

Digital clocks aren’t exactly the biggest energy hogs in one’s kitchen, but every little bit counts! So unplug that old clunker next to the toaster in favor of this clock, whose electrodes use a combination of water and salt to display the time. In fact, you can refill it while you’re refilling the next green kitchen gadget.

The eco-kettle

(Image via Gizoo)

Who could start their morning without a hot, fresh cup of tea? Indeed, no kitchen is complete without a tea kettle. Sadly, many of us are boiling much more water than we really need, wasting significant amounts energy each morning. But no longer! Enter the eco-kettle, which boils just enough water for your choice of 1-8 cups of tea. Best of all, it’s quick – just 35 seconds to boil a single cup!

The eco-cooker

(Image via Today’s Gizmos)

Great as it would be to use solar ovens for all cooking, what would one do during bad weather or gloomy skies? When it’s conventional stove top cooking or bust, the eco cooker is the optimal choice. Rather than using two or three pots (and electricity from two or three burners) to boil two or three separate foods, the eco cooker can boil them all at the same time.

Faucet aerators

(Image via Flickr)

Described by EarthEasy.com as “the single most effective water conservation savings you can do for your home”, low-flow aerators belong on the faucets of every kitchen. They can reduce a home’s overall water consumption by up to 50%, helping your wallet and the environment all at the same time. Best of all, low-flow aerators are extremely inexpensive and available at virtually any hardware store.

Bamboo bowls

(Image via Inhabitat)

Finally, a kitchen is only as green as the bowls the food is served in. Produced by the green kitchenware maker Bambu, the bowls shown above were hand-crafted and coiled using 100% organically grown bamboo. These bowls and other green kitchenware can be purchased at the Bambu website.