Air fryers have quickly entered the households of many households by promising healthier and safer fried food but at what expense?
While these appliances have many models that vary in price, is using them cheaper than other electrical appliances such as the conventional oven, electric oven, and microwaves?
The full cost of running the air fryer depends on the power and size. But even if they cost a little higher than other appliances, they do cook the food quickly and with minimal oil.
How Does an Air Fryer Work?
To calculate the power usage of an air fryer, it is important to first understand the appliance.
A simple air fryer has a removable basket in which food cooks. When the basket is inside and the machine is turned on, a heating element produces heat and it is then distributed throughout the basket by a fan.
The heat reaches the food through the tiny holes on the basket and the fan keeps circulating the heat to ensure the even cooking of the food.
Now the power of the heat depends on the mode you have selected. The higher mode will be hotter while the lower mode will be less hot. The usage of the power modes will help in calculating if the air fryer is cheaper to run.
Are Air Fryers Cheaper to Run Than Ovens?
As ovens are mostly for larger items of food in size and quantity so they cannot be compared to an air fryer in most ways but if we look at smaller items in number and size of food, the air fryer does have a slight edge over the conventional oven.
Ovens do not necessarily work in the same manner as air fryers. Once the oven reaches a temperature, it only maintains the temperature going forward. With air fryers, the hot air keeps on circulating constantly which clarifies that air fryers constantly need energy.
The latter may seem that it is not energy efficient but it only makes a significant difference if you keep on using the air fryer for longer periods of time.
Moreover, an oven emits heat in larger quantities than an air fryer. When powering an oven, your kitchen will get hotter in a few moments whereas the air fryer emits a fraction of the heat produced by an oven.
Furthermore, an air fryer preheats in a few minutes whereas an oven may take up to 20 minutes to fully reach the desired baking temperature and the air fryer cooks quicker due to its low capacity.
On the other hand, it is not to assume that an air fryer can fully eliminate the use of an oven as an air fryer cannot beat the capacity of an oven. If you have a large family or love to cook and bake, then an oven is a necessity inside your kitchen. An air fryer may substitute for an oven if you only cook in smaller quantities.
Are Air Fryers Cheaper to Run Than Microwaves?
As you only use microwaves for a couple of minutes at a time, it can be concluded that microwaves are cheaper to run than air fryers but if we compare the usability of the two appliances, the air fryer does offer more perks.
Microwaves are mostly used for reheating leftovers. While it may not be known to the masses, you can reheat lots of meals in an air fryer, most importantly, leftover pizza which tastes horrible when reheated through a microwave.
Moreover, when you reheat leftovers in the microwave, it dries all the moisture out of the food. On the other hand, the air fryer just circulates heat around the food and the taste seems just as fresh as before.
What Makes an Air Fryer Not Work Efficiently?
As long as your air fryer is not in its prime state, the question of whether or not it is energy efficient is not valid.
The air fryer should be cleaned properly after every meal so that there is no residue of food left inside the basket. If there is some left, bacteria starts growing and the grease may attract insects. Moreover, the taste of the next meal may be compromised as well.
Make sure you also take the basket out of the air fryer and clean its little holes to make sure that the hot air circulates evenly throughout the cooking time.
Furthermore, make sure that the vents of the mechanical fan are also clear of any food debris.
Conclusion
If we look at the numbers, you can look at the manual and check the watts of your air fryer. There are many online cost calculators regarding air fryers’ energy usage but they are not always accurate.
Newer models will work better in power and efficiency than older models whereas the cost of the appliance also plays a huge factor.
But the energy efficiency of an air fryer fully depends on the type of person and their usage and needs. When compared with an oven or a microwave, all three appliances have their ups and downs so the person has to evaluate their needs to ensure that they spend their money on the right appliance.
Are air fryers cheap to run for your lifestyle? Do comment below!