New cooking technology reduces energy consumption

A novel cooking tool combines microwaves and gas cooking to save time and money

Spotted: As anyone who has a smart energy meter in their home knows, conventional cooking in an oven or on the stove uses a lot of energy. Yet, while microwave cooking is faster and cheaper, it cannot brown the food, making it unsuitable for many dishes. Now there is a new option – the On2Cook.

On2Cook, which was featured on Shark Tank, combines cooking with direct gas heat and microwaves – saving up to 70 per cent of the time taken using traditional cooking methods, but also allowing browning and searing to add flavour. The tabletop device takes up around the same space as a conventional microwave and it also comes with a subscription app that features AI-assisted recipes that can adapt to how each user cooks.

In addition to the time and energy savings, the company also points out that, unlike using microwaves alone, food cooked in the On2Cook retains water-soluble nutrients while preserving colour, texture, and consistency. The company has recently secured seed funding of more than $2 million (approximately €1.93 million) led by investor Dr Mayur Desai, with the participation of Nirbhay Gandhi. The brand is also in talks with other strategic investors.

According to On2Cook founder and CEO Sanandan Sudhir, the device “works on the combination cooking technology with induction or flame acting on the food from outside and microwaves from inside. Engineered to disrupt the food industry, the product is designed to help both domestic as well as commercial kitchens save up to 70 per cent on time and 50 per cent on energy.”

Helping people save time and money on cooking is vital to reducing carbon emissions, costs, and even air pollution. Springwise has spotted other innovations that range from safe and affordable cookstoves designed to replace open fires, to a mud and lime-plaster stove that uses agricultural waste as fuel.

Written By: Lisa Magloff