Air fryers have become a fixture in many homes in recent years, popular for their capacity to cook food quickly. The appliance can handle everything from chicken to sausages to cupcakes, frequently in less time than a conventional oven.
Energy consumption and costs
According to the Energy Saving Trust, cooking accounts for 3% of the average household's energy consumption. With energy bills remaining elevated, it's worth thinking carefully about which appliances you use when preparing meals. Depending on what you're cooking, certain appliances are considerably more energy efficient than others, which can help reduce both energy bills and CO2 emissions.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, when preparing the exact same meal, air fryers are "cheaper" to run. However, the most suitable appliance depends on the quantity you're cooking. Air fryers, for instance, are most effective when cooking for one or two people. An air fryer operates much like a compact conventional oven. Due to their smaller size, they are often cheaper to operate than a full-size oven for an equivalent meal. When using the appliance, try to avoid opening the compartment unnecessarily, as this releases heat and wastes energy.
Ovens for batch cooking
Ovens are generally larger than other cooking appliances, meaning they require more energy to heat up. As a result, a typical electric oven can prove the most costly cooking appliance to run when preparing individual portions. However, their greater capacity means considerably more food can be cooked simultaneously, making an electric oven far more suitable for batch cooking or preparing meals for a large group. Just as with an air fryer, try to resist opening the oven door unnecessarily while it is in use, as this helps retain the hot air inside and minimises wasted energy.
Microwaves for reheating
When it comes to reheating food, a microwave is your best bet. Rather than warming the surrounding air, microwaves work by heating the food directly. This means they operate rapidly, resulting in a cost per use considerably lower than that of most other kitchen appliances.
