Martin Lewis has moved to correct a “misnomer” about air fryers, telling listeners of his BBC podcast that the appliance can be a cheaper and more efficient way to cook smaller meals than a conventional oven.
On the programme, he asked fans to share stories of expensive items they had bought but never used. One listener said they had bought an air fryer thinking it would “make my life easier” because they struggle with cooking as they are disabled, but then realised they do not eat fried food and now “can’t think of any use of it.”
‘The name is a misnomer’
The buyer added: “I suppose it’ll be a standby if my halogen oven bowl breaks.” Responding, Mr Lewis said he wanted to “do an intervention” and set the record straight on how air fryers work.
He said: “The name is a misnomer. An air fryer is basically a hot air circulating mini oven. You put a little bit of oil in there to help things cook, but it's not really frying. It's basically a mini oven.”
‘Really efficient way to cook’
Mr Lewis went on to explain that air fryers can also be a more cost-effective way to prepare meals. He said: “If you are cooking smaller amounts, it can be a lot more efficient and cheaper than putting it in your main oven just because you're cooking smaller amounts for a less period, and therefore the wattage isn't as high, and it can be a really efficient way to cook.”
He encouraged the listener: “So you may be misjudging your air fryer, I suspect. I think your air fryer may not be what you think it is, and maybe as you've got it and you've not used it, it's worth trying it.”
When an oven is the best choice
However, Mr Lewis said the air fryer is not always the best option. He explained: “Where I tend not to suggest using an air fryer is if you're cooking big things for lots of people, in which case putting it all in one heated oven will tend to be cheaper than time after time after time in the air fryer.”
Experts at appliance repair group Domestic & General are also encouraging people to consider switching from an oven to other appliances which can be more cost effective. Ian Palmer-Smith, appliance repair expert with the company, said: “One of the best ways to reduce your energy usage across the colder months is to switch up your cooking styles and use more energy-efficient appliances.”
He added: “Whilst ovens and microwaves are the most popular cooking appliances, slow cookers cut down cooking time by using less energy and producing less heat. It is thought that slow cookers typically only use around the same amount of energy as a lightbulb.”
Mr Palmer-Smith also recommended air fryers, saying: “Air fryers are another great choice when looking to cut energy as their cooking times are generally much shorter, so consider trying out some new recipes this year or invest in an air fryer to help in the long run.”
