Save Money by Cooking with Your Air Fryer Instead of Your Oven: We Do The Math
In recent years, air fryers have become increasingly popular due to their ability to cook food faster and more efficiently than traditional ovens. In addition to the health benefits of using less oil in cooking, many people have also found that using an air fryer can result in energy savings. In this article, we will explore how cooking with an air fryer can save you money when compared to using your oven.
First, let’s understand how air fryers work. Air fryers use a combination of radiant and convection heating to quickly cook foods at high temperatures. A fan circulates hot air around the food, causing it to cook evenly and resulting in a crispy outer layer without the need for excess oil. This not only makes your meals healthier but also greatly reduces cooking time.
Now, let’s compare the energy consumption between an oven and an air fryer:
1. Electricity consumption: An average oven consumes around 2400 watts per hour, while an air fryer typically uses between 1200-1700 watts per hour. By switching to an air fryer, you could potentially reduce the electricity consumption of your cooking appliances by 50%.
2. Cooking time: Air fryers are designed for quick cooking, which means that they take less time to preheat and cook food than traditional ovens. Because air fryers use hot circulating air to cook food faster, you’ll be able to prepare meals more quickly and reduce the overall time that your appliance is consuming electricity.
3. No need for preheating: Many people preheat their ovens before cooking – a process that can take up to 15 minutes depending on the temperature required. With an air fryer, however, preheating is not necessary since it starts cooking food immediately due to its small size and efficient heating system.
To determine the potential cost savings of using an air fryer, let’s examine a simple example. Assume you use your oven for one hour daily and your electricity rate is $0.12 per kWh.
Oven:
Power consumption: 2400 watts/hour
Total usage: 30 days x 1 hour = 30 hours
Energy usage: 30 hours x 2.4 kWh = 72 kWh
Cost per month: 72 kWh x $0.12 = $8.64
AirFryer:
Power consumption: 1500 watts/hour (average)
Total usage: 30 days x 1 hour = 30 hours
Energy usage: 30 hours x 1.5 kWh = 45 kWh
Cost per month: 45 kWh x $0.12 = $5.40
In this example, switching to an air fryer would result in a monthly savings of $3.24, or a total of $38.88 per year.
Of course, individual results may vary depending on factors such as personal cooking habits, local electricity rates, and the specific appliances being used. However, the potential benefits of using an air fryer for increased energy efficiency and cost savings are clear.
In conclusion, investing in an air fryer not only allows for healthier cooking options but can also result in significant cost savings on your energy bills over time. If you’re looking to save money and prepare delicious meals more efficiently, consider making the shift to an air fryer today!