If you’ve ever set out to whip up a “quick dinner” only to find yourself still chopping, stirring, and washing up an hour later, you’re not alone. Cooking can take longer than expected for a variety of reasons — from poor preparation habits to inefficient kitchen tools. The good news is that small changes to your setup and routine can dramatically reduce the time you spend at the stove without sacrificing quality or flavour.
One of the most impactful changes you can make is upgrading your equipment. Choosing functional Smeg kitchen appliances gives you the advantage of modern technology designed to speed up everyday cooking tasks, while also making your kitchen more enjoyable to work in. Pairing reliable tools with smarter habits is the perfect recipe for efficiency.
Here’s how to figure out why your cooking time is dragging on — and what to do about it.
You’re Not Prepping Before You Cook
A lot of time is lost mid-recipe because ingredients aren’t ready when you need them. Stopping to chop vegetables while something’s already in the pan can lead to overcooked food and unnecessary stress.
Get into the habit of prepping everything before you start cooking. Wash, chop, measure, and set aside ingredients in bowls or containers. This “mise en place” approach, used by professional chefs, means you can move smoothly from step to step without interruption.
Your Knives Are Dull
A blunt knife not only slows you down but also makes chopping more dangerous and inconsistent. Dull blades require more effort to cut through food, which adds precious minutes to your prep time.
Invest in a good-quality chef’s knife and keep it sharpened. A sharp knife can halve your chopping time and give you cleaner, more even cuts.
You’re Using the Wrong Cookware
Not all pots and pans are created equal. Thin, poor-quality cookware can heat unevenly, causing food to cook slower and less predictably. Similarly, using a small pan for a large batch can crowd ingredients and delay cooking.
Choose cookware suited to your cooking style and portion sizes. A heavy-bottomed frying pan or saucepan will distribute heat evenly, speeding up cooking while preventing burning.
You’re Not Cooking in the Right Order
If you start cooking each element of your meal from scratch in sequence, you’ll be in the kitchen far longer than necessary.
Look for opportunities to multitask. Boil pasta while you prepare the sauce, roast vegetables while meat is searing, or chop salad ingredients while bread is toasting. Think ahead and use downtime wisely.
Your Oven Takes Forever to Heat Up
Waiting for an oven to preheat can be one of the most frustrating delays in the kitchen — especially if you forget to turn it on until halfway through your prep.
Switch the oven on before you begin chopping or mixing ingredients so it’s ready when you are. If you have a modern oven with rapid preheat functions, make use of them.
You’re Cooking Everything from Scratch Every Time
Making every element of a meal fresh can be satisfying, but it’s not always practical. If you’re short on time, this approach can turn even a simple dinner into a lengthy production.
Embrace make-ahead elements. Batch-cook rice, roast vegetables, or prepare sauces in larger quantities so they’re ready to go in the fridge or freezer. You’ll be surprised how quickly you can put a meal together when half the work is already done.
You’re Cleaning as You Go — the Wrong Way
While it’s a good habit to keep your kitchen tidy, stopping after every small task to wash dishes or wipe benches can disrupt your flow.
Group cleaning tasks together. For example, while something simmers or bakes, use that time to wash utensils or wipe surfaces. This way, you’re staying on top of the mess without slowing down your cooking process.
Your Layout Isn’t Helping You
If you have to cross the kitchen multiple times to reach the sink, fridge, and stove, you’re wasting time with every step.
Keep frequently used tools and ingredients close to your main cooking zone. If possible, arrange your kitchen in a “work triangle” with the stove, sink, and fridge forming a convenient path.
Cooking shouldn’t feel like an endurance test. By identifying the habits and setups that slow you down — and making small, intentional changes — you can reclaim precious time in the kitchen.
From prepping ingredients in advance to upgrading your tools and organising your workspace, every adjustment adds up to a smoother, faster cooking experience. The result? More time to enjoy your meal and less time stuck at the stove.