Prepping Your Home’s Electrical System for Thanksgiving Cooking Week

Thanksgiving week brings family, food, and… a huge spike in electrical demand. Between ovens preheating for hours, multiple countertop appliances running at once, guests plugging in devices, and the cold weather pushing space heaters into action, your home’s circuits are under more strain than almost any other time of year.

Here’s how to stay powered, safe, and stress-free before the big day. 🍂⚡

🍳 1. Your Kitchen Uses More Power Than You Think

Ovens, microwaves, air fryers, crock pots, roasters, mixers — all running back-to-back — can overload circuits fast.If you’ve ever had a breaker trip mid-cooking, it’s usually because:

• Kitchens are on dedicated circuits

• High-draw appliances share the same line

• GFCIs or outlets are worn out

• Older wiring can’t keep up with modern appliances

Doing a quick test today ensures no holiday-meal interruptions.

🧯 2. Extension Cords Aren’t Designed for High-Heat Appliances

We see this every year: someone plugs in a roaster or electric skillet using an extension cord and… poof. 🔥High-wattage appliances → direct wall plug only. If you need more outlets: we install countertop-safe, code-approved GFCIs and circuits.

🛠️ 3. Space Heaters + Holiday Cooking = Peak Load

Cold Thanksgiving mornings mean space heaters are usually running at the exact same time as kitchen prep. This combo is one of the most common reasons circuits blow on Thanksgiving Day. If your kitchen lights dim when the heater kicks on, you’ve already got a warning sign.

📱 4. Guests Plugging In Everything = More Load

Extra phone chargers… extra lighting… gaming systems… electric blankets — it all adds up fast. When you’ve got a house full of people, every outlet gets used, and the demand on your panel climbs. If your panel is already near max capacity, this added load can easily push it over the edge.

⚡ 5. A Pre-Holiday Electrical Check Can Prevent a Thanksgiving Disaster

A quick service call can reveal:

• Loose or worn-out outlets

• Weak GFCIs

• Overloaded circuits

• Panels running at or near capacity

• Heating appliances sharing the wrong circuit

• Signs of overheating

These can be fixed before you're juggling turkey timers and breaker resets.

📞 Need help pre-Thanksgiving? We’ve got you.

Bowman Electric offers kitchen outlet upgrades, circuit testing, panel checks, and emergency troubleshooting so your holiday meal goes smoothly — and safely.

Call or message us today so you can cook with confidence! ⚡406-880-4777