One of the best ideas I've used is one that we have marketed on TV here at
present -- I made mine from free recyclable materials. A Straw Box.
Once upon a time they were just that -- a box with a straw lining. I
demonstrated making them using chilly bins (polystyrene containers) or just
plain cardboard boxes that I encouraged people to get from their local
store - better than the boxes going to the dump.
When I was cooking a stew or something that could cook for a long period
over a number of hours I would bring it to the boil, keep it at the boil for
a few minutes, then stick the pot into my insulated container, poking clean
towels into any of the gaps, wrapping up the pot really well.
I would leave it all day and come home and find the chicken or stew or
whatever cooked to perfection. It was also ideal when I went lecturing
around NZ -- I would take my own dinner and bring it out at around the end
of my talk. I always made it something particularly fragrant, like curried
beef, so that when I started opening the container the cooking smells would
also come out.
Great way of saving on the power bill. And you don't need to buy the
expensive ones from the TV advertisements!
