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Air fryers – first invented by Phillips in 2010 – have exploded in popularity in the last two years. They’re basically mini convection ovens, using powerful fans to quickly heat food. How air fryers save money is two-fold: they consume less energy than regular ovens thanks to their smaller size, and also cook food in half the time (while keeping it crispy). They also require less oil, which appeals to healthy eaters.
Uswitch’s Galizzi explains that a meal cooked for 15 minutes in a 1,500 Watt air fryer would cost 12p, compared to 34p for a meal cooked for 30 minutes in a conventional oven. That may not sound a lot, but it amounts to nearly £50 in a month.
“If you’re only using one shelf of the oven for a meal, an air fryer may be a more effective way of cooking it. Air fryers can work out cheaper as they take less time to heat up and have a shorter cooking time,” he says.
O’Loan from Energy Saving Trust makes the point that they only work out cheaper if you’re cooking a small portion. “If you are preparing larger quantities of food, it might actually be more cost effective to use an oven because you will be able to fit more in. When using either, you should avoid opening the door or compartment any more than necessary as this lets hot air out and wastes energy,” she says.
The Tefal Actifry above topped The Telegraph’s list of the best air fryers. It uses 1,400 Watts per hour, costing 42p, which is slightly below the average for air fryers. It has a capacity of 1.2kg, enough for about six portions of food. The basket automatically rotates inside the fryer for even results. The clear lid means you can track the progress of your food without taking it off and wasting heat, as O’Loan recommends.
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