Batch Cooking Savings Calculator
Enter costs per portion, prep time and how you value an hour.
Net annual saving
β
Enter values above
Annual food saving
β
Annual value of prep time
β
Saving per portion
β
Effective cost per portion with time
β
Hours spent per year
β
Worked example
With the default inputs shown below, this calculator returns the following results:
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per portion β batch cooked ($) | 2.5 |
| Cost per portion β ready meal ($) | 5 |
| Portions per week | 10 |
| Prep hours per batch | 2 |
| Batches per week | 1 |
| Value of your time ($/hour) | 15 |
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Net annual saving | -$260 |
| Annual food saving | $1,300 |
| Annual value of prep time | $1,560 |
| Saving per portion | -$0.50 |
| Effective cost per portion with time | $5.50 |
| Hours spent per year | 104 |
Values shown are produced by this page in your browser; change any input to update them.
How to use the Batch Cooking Savings Calculator
- Cost per portion β batch cooked ($) β default 2.5
- Cost per portion β ready meal ($) β default 5
- Portions per week β default 10
- Prep hours per batch β default 2
- Batches per week β default 1
- Value of your time ($/hour) β default 15
- Press Calculate to update the results instantly.
Frequently asked questions
Not at all β but the saving shrinks once you price the prep time. The real gains come from cutting food waste, buying in bulk and cooking cheaper ingredients, all of which improve the cost per portion itself.
If you would otherwise be working, use your hourly rate. If it replaces screen time, a lower figure such as the minimum wage is a fairer shadow price.
Because it adds the value of the time spent preparing. It is the number to compare against a ready meal if you want an apples-to-apples comparison.