Tips and Guides on How Much Electric Does An Air Fryer Use and How to Save Energy
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An air fryer is a kitchen appliance that uses hot air to make food crispy and crunchy. It works by circulating the hot air around the food, which allows for even cooking with very little oil needed. You can even cook frozen food in it with no thawing necessary. So if you’re looking for a healthier option, an air fryer might just be what you need.
An air fryer is a great way to cook your favorite foods while cutting down on the amount of fat and oil that you use. However, we hear all sorts of questions about how much electricity does an air fryer use. After doing some research, we found out that it’s actually pretty minimal – around 5-10% more than a standard oven!
This blog post will answer any other questions you may have about how much electric does an air fryer use and tips to save your money on electric bills so go ahead and read on!
Air Fryers
What is an Air Fryer?
As mentioned before in the introduction, an air fryer is a small kitchen appliance similar to a regular convection oven. It is mainly used for cooking and reheating food items in an air environment so if you want to quickly cook anything from frozen meatballs to tater tots, it can be done with little effort!
One thing that makes the air fryer different from your standard oven is that it requires less oil or no oil at all. You can cook any type of food using the air fryer which makes it pretty versatile. And because there’s very little preparation needing done, you’re less likely to burn your food as well.
Where other heating appliances require preheating before cooking, the air fryer only needs around 5 minutes or so for it to reach its required temperature. The cooking time for most foods is around 20 minutes, which can save you a lot of time in the kitchen. You can even use an air fryer to grill vegetables, seafood and meat.
When shopping for an air fryer, it’s important to consider the size – whether small or large. The size is determined by how many servings you expect to prepare so decide on what type of foods you will cook in your air fryer before buying one.
You can get smaller ones that are around 3-5 quarts while there are larger ones that go up to 6 quarts if you want to prepare food for more people. Temperature control is also important to keep in mind when choosing an air fryer since it varies depending on the brand and model you’re looking at.
How does an Air Fryer work?
An air fryer works like any other kitchen appliance. It has heating coils that create the heat to cook your food and an additional fan, which circulates the hot air around the food. Because no oil is required, you can use it as a healthier alternative to other appliances such as deep frying in oil or baking with butter and grease.
You want to cook most of the foods using this appliance without or with limited oil. You can still use small amounts of butter, coconut oil, olive oil, etc. for added flavor but not more than a teaspoon. But you don’t have to use any type of cooking spray either!
A typical air fryer takes around five minutes to heat up before it can begin cooking your food items. Once they are heated up, you can start adding in whatever you’re cooking and give them an even coating of whatever seasonings you choose.
Different types of Air Fryer
There are several brands of air fryers out in the market today. You can choose from big names like Philips or Breville or opt for more affordable options such as Avalon Bay and Gourmia. It’s fun to compare different types of air fryers to see which one works best for you.
Traditional Air Fryer
Think of this type as your standard oven that has heating coils on the bottom. The food is cooked using forced hot-air circulation around it, much like when baking something in an oven. Traditional air fryers are also relatively inexpensive compared to other models so it can be a great starting point if you’re just beginning to use one at home!
Convection Air Fryer
The convection air fryer contains a fan that evenly distributes heat to the food you’re cooking. This works more like a conventional oven but uses a fraction of energy to do its job. Another plus is that it can cook up your favorite fries and other fried foods with less oil!
Digital Air Fryer
If you want the perfect crispy skin for meat or fish, then this type of air fryer is definitely worth checking out. It has a digital timer as well as temperature control options so you don’t have to keep popping in and out of the kitchen to monitor how your meal is doing.
Vertical Air Fryer
A vertical air fryer resembles an oversized blender with a tall, slim design. It is tall enough so you can even cook a whole chicken inside!
You can also prepare multiple servings in one go without having to transfer food items from one fryer to another. Cleaning up will be a breeze as well since it comes with an easy-to-clean nonstick housing.
Cordless Air Fryer
This type of air fryer has a detachable power cord so it’s perfect if you don’t want any wire or cable hanging around your kitchen space and getting in the way. The only downside is that they’re usually more expensive than regular models but if this feature is really important to you, then it might just be worth the extra money.
Portable Air Fryer
If you need an air fryer that you can conveniently transport from one place to another at any time, then the portable air fryer is perfect for you. They are even small enough so you can store them away in cabinets or under your kitchen sink!
The capacity of these fryers ranges anywhere between 1-2 liters only though so it will be tempting to overdo it with your cooking if you’re not careful.
Steam Air Fryer
If you want to cook steamed dishes rather than deep-fried ones, then this type of air fryer is for you. It allows you to steam vegetables and has a detachable tray for easy draining. You can also make poached dishes with this model as well which makes it worth checking out!
Professional Air Fryer
As the name implies, this type of air fryer is designed for professional kitchens where chefs are cooking food in large quantities. It has a larger cooking space capacity so you can cook multiple servings at once.
It also comes with additional features that are not available in regular models such as adjustable pressure and timer controls so it’s perfect if you need to prepare dishes for a lot of people!
Today, there are a number of brands to choose from when purchasing an air fryer. Between the most popular ones such as Philips, GoWISE, and Cosori, you can find many different models under each brand. But in general, when shopping for an air fryer always consider what you want to cook with it because size and design will vary depending on your need!
Before deciding which is best for you, read some reviews about the product that interests you. See what features other customers liked or didn’t like about a particular model so that way you have a better idea of how much it would cost to own one based on your needs.
How much does an Air Fryer cost?
The prices of different types of air fryers may vary depending on model, brand, capacity, size, and power rating. You can surely find something that fits your budget but remember to prioritize your needs when choosing an air fryer.
Look for added features that make it stand out from the crowd since you will definitely be using it more often than other types of fryers.
Also, consider extra features that you want such as a larger capacity or bigger size if you entertain family and friends regularly. Having additional features also means paying more money so determine your budget and stick to it!
Here’s a list of some air fryers available online currently:
Cosori Air Fryer – this has an average price range of $100-200 and is ideal for cooking small servings since its capacity can only hold up to 3 liters. It comes with an auto shut-off feature, timer control, and LCD screen display to easily monitor the food while cooking.
Philips Air Fryer – this has a higher price range compared to Cosori’s model since it can cook servings up to 3 liters as well. Philips is one of the most popular brands which is why its air fryer costs more than others. It has an adjustable temperature control that cooks food evenly and an auto shut-off feature.
GoWISE Air Fryer – The average price for this is around $110-140 and this brand is known to be the safest type since it has built-in safety features that shut off the power to prevent overheating and other accidents. It also has a larger capacity (6 liters) and comes with a baking pan and cookbook.
Benefits of Using an Air Fryer
Aside from being one of the most affordable alternatives to fryer ovens, air fryers have other benefits that are worth mentioning. Here’s what to look forward to when buying an air fryer:
Healthier Cooking Method
The traditional deep frying method involves submerging food in oil at high temperatures. This can cause your food to absorb a lot of grease and fat which is why it’s not advisable for those who want to maintain a healthy lifestyle or lose weight.
Air fryers, on the other hand, cook food quickly by circulating hot air around the basket so there’s less oil use since you don’t need as much! Also, some types come with wire mesh baskets instead of just metal ones so they’re easier to clean and make crevices where oil can accumulate less likely to happen.
Faster Cooking
One of the best things about using an air fryer is that it cooks food faster than traditional fryers so you spend less time in the kitchen! This makes it ideal for those who are always busy or just want to enjoy their meal without having to wait too long.
The only downside is that some types cook food slower than others so make sure you choose a model with adjustable temperature settings for versatility.
Easy Clean-up
Some air fryers come with dishwasher safe accessories or parts which makes clean-up easier compared to other models. Also, you don’t have to worry about dealing with hot grease splatters since there’s no direct contact between oil and your food, unlike deep fryers.
Affordable
Many people who want to buy an air fryer complain about how expensive it is but compared to deep fryers, they’re actually more affordable. You can get one with all the features you need without having to spend a lot of money!
Also, if you plan on buying cookware and kitchen appliances in the future, make sure your investment counts by choosing a versatile kind that’s easy to use and compatible with your existing things.
How much electric does an air fryer use?
How many watts does an air fryer use?
Conserving energy is important when using any device at home – it saves both your money and the environment! Luckily, an air fryer uses only 5-10% more energy than a standard oven. This means that you can save time by cooking without needing to wait for your appliances to warm up like with other heating appliances.
To give you an idea of what wattage you should be expecting, most home ovens use around 1,500 watts of power. With the air fryer, you can expect around 2-2.8 kilowatts for a standard hour of cooking – definitely not as much as running all your appliances!
It’s important to remember that every model will have different wattage depending on its brand and size so I recommend checking your user manual first before using it to know what power load it uses.
An air fryer is one of those appliances that use less energy than the usual kitchen appliance so if you’re looking for ways to save money at home by conserving electricity, this small kitchen appliance may just be enough!
Air Fryers vs Ovens – which ones Save Money on Electric Bills
While it’s true that an air fryer uses less power, you may be wondering if an oven is more efficient than an air fryer. The truth is that it depends on your lifestyle and what you’re planning to cook using the two appliances.
For example: if you only use your oven once a month or so, then cooking with it would definitely save money compared to using an air fryer which takes up more energy because of the heating coils and the hot air circulating around the cavity.
But for those who want something they can use almost daily, then I recommend getting an air fryer since they’re faster and more convenient! Plus, there are different features that come with some ovens such as temperature probes which makes them pricier than air fryers.
The bottom line is that it depends on your lifestyle and what you plan to use the two devices for – if you’re planning on cooking a lot, then an air fryer would be ideal but if you only want something for special occasions or once in a while, an oven can be great as well!
Air Fryers save time as they cook food faster. They use less energy as compared to regular ovens. You can buy one with all the features you need without spending too much money. Some models come with dishwasher-safe parts making them easier to clean. Only cook small batches at a time since it’s best for smaller families/groups.
Some types have adjustable temperature settings and timer functions. An air fryer is one of those appliances that use less energy than the usual kitchen appliance so if you’re looking for ways to save money at home by conserving electricity, this small kitchen appliance may just be enough!
Best Time to Use Your Air Fryer than Oven For Energy Saving
An air fryer is best used for small batches of food that don’t take long to cook. They’re not ideal for large family gatherings or parties since they can only hold around 1 to 4 pounds at a time depending on the model you have.
So if you’re planning to use an air fryer, make sure to check how big it is and also the capacity needed by the volume of people you’ll be feeding.
As mentioned earlier, using an oven uses more energy than an air fryer because of the heating elements inside plus all other appliances in your kitchen running as well like microwaves, etc. There are other times that may be better to use your air fryer to save you a lot of money on the electric bills – here are some examples:
- Cooking for a Small Group of People
If you’re cooking for just a few people, why use an oven that’s big enough to cook 10 pounds of meat? It would be such a waste and not eco-friendly as well since you’ll only be using up half the tray and yet it still heats up the appliance itself.
Instead, opt for an air fryer so you can save time and energy! Whatever small batch of food you want to make like chicken wings or even pizza pockets can easily fit in this small kitchen appliance and you won’t end up heating up your whole house as well! If it’s just one person eating alone, then all the more reason to use an air fryer.
- Deep Frying
Some air fryers come with a small basket and tray for deep frying. If you want to make some fried chicken or French fries, using an air fryer is better than putting the whole chicken in your oven.
Using an oven could heat up your kitchen since it’s still an open space that heats up just like when you cook something on the stovetop or even use your microwave oven.
You may want to avoid heating up your whole house by cooking everything in one go so instead of putting everything in the oven, why not use an air fryer? It can do smaller batches and will definitely save energy plus time as well!
But if deep frying is your thing every day and you don’t mind heating up all your food all at once, then go ahead and use your oven. It’s good if you have a small kitchen or even an open plan living/dining area where it doesn’t heat up the whole place when in use.
Just make sure to not leave your appliances running while nobody is around – don’t want to cause yourself any unnecessary accidents, right?
- Steaming Food
Cooking vegetables in an air fryer is one of its best features because it doesn’t take too long for them to cook yet they still come out crisp! You can also steam fish or seafood in an air fryer instead since there are baskets that come with some models that are perfect for this task.
You can do multiple batches at once and it still doesn’t take too much time for them to cook. This small kitchen appliance is definitely the best solution for people who hate spending more than 20 minutes cooking their vegetables!
- Food Reheating
Air fryers are perfect if you have a busy schedule and just want to quickly reheat your food without having to wait for a long time.
Just put the food inside, press reheat, and leave it there while you go do other things – no need to constantly monitor how your food cooks since most air fryer models have automatic shut-off functions when it’s ready.
Yes, making use of an air fryer will take up some energy but compared to using the oven plus other appliances at once, there’s a huge difference when using an air fryer.
- Cook Breakfast
You can cook an egg in a few minutes and even make sandwiches like toasted ham and cheese! So if it’s just you in the morning and there’s no need to heat up your whole house, why not use an air fryer? It doesn’t take long for it to heat up so cooking is convenient plus even better – no odor lingering inside the kitchen after cooking!
- Quick Drying
Doing laundry can be such a drag with all the waiting time between drying cycles with most dryers running on full blast only every 30 minutes or so. Air fryers don’t take that long at all they’re smaller than normal ovens yet they can still dry your clothes faster than most dryers out there – making use of this small kitchen appliance during laundry day is definitely a time and energy saver!
- Reheating Leftover Food
If you hate the microwave oven, using an air fryer makes reheating your leftover food so much better! Since it doesn’t take too long to warm up the food, it’s perfect for leftovers that have been sitting in your fridge for days or even weeks.
And unlike microwaves which have a bad reputation when it comes to making food safe afterward due to uneven heating, air fryers are safer since their heating elements are located at the bottom of the machine where all the air circulates better. This automatically makes your food more evenly heated.
You can also use an air fryer to reheat food you’ve previously cooked in the oven – this way, you won’t have to clean another appliance when cooking is done!
- Searing Meat
An air fryer is perfect if you want a quick sear on meat before adding your sauce or even simply serving it without any sauce at all.
Just make sure not to overcrowd the basket when searing the meat since it will take too long for them to cook properly and instead of searing, they’ll end up steaming inside the machine by the time it’s ready.
Tips and Tricks for Saving Money on Electric Bills when Using Air Fryers
Electricity is expensive and we all want to find ways to save money when it comes to our utilities. If you’re planning to buy an air fryer or looking into purchasing one for your home, here are some tips and tricks that you might not know about when using this type of appliance.
Electric bills may be a few dollars more than usual in the beginning but these tips can help lower them after a while!
- Placing the Air Fryer Away from Major Appliances
The biggest tip is to place your air fryer as far away from major appliances as possible. This way, you won’t have too many appliances using the same amount of power at once. The fewer appliances sucking down your electricity, the better!
Think about it – one light bulb that’s close to a window will give off less light than ten bulbs that are further away from a window or none at all.
- Don’t Use Convection Mode for Everything
Convection mode means that hot air will move around inside the device and cook differently than other modes on an air fryer. For example, convection mode uses a fan to suck in cool air at the bottom of the appliance, heat it up with electricity, and push out hot air at the top of your food.
If you use this mode for all your cooking needs including bread, pastries, or meat that doesn’t need to be cooked quickly, then you will see that it continuously uses more electricity than other modes.
- Don’t Get Caught Up in Recipes
The best way to save money when using an air fryer is simple: don’t get caught up in recipes! When people are first getting started with one of these appliances, they tend to experiment (which is great!) but often end up spending too much time planning meals or finding new recipes instead of actually using their new ones.
Instead, take your time and experiment with simpler recipes before you dive into more complicated ones which will save both money and electricity.
- Don’t Use the Air Fryer All Day, Everyday
If you use your air fryer for everything including cooking breakfast, lunch, and dinner then you’re going to end up spending a lot of money on your electric bill.
Instead, try using your oven or stovetop for certain meals instead of using the air fryer all day long. That way, you can still enjoy fried foods but won’t have to pay as much in expenses!
- Buy a Larger Capacity Air Fryer
This might seem counterproductive because if you have a larger capacity air fryer, this means that it will take longer to cook your food. However, if you plan your meals around cooking times, then you can save money by not having to use the air fryer as often. If at all possible, try to buy a model with a capacity of 2 pounds or more.
- Use Stoneware Pans
Stoneware pans are great because they heat up very quickly and are much more energy-efficient than other types of cookware. You can also use them to serve food for parties or special occasions without worrying about guests getting too hot!
The best part is that if you’re using an air fryer with adjustable temperature controls, stoneware pans will actually regulate the amount of heat being produced so it’s easier on your electric bill.
- Don’t Leave the Air Fryer On While You’re Not Cooking
Even though an air fryer has an automatic shut-off feature, you still shouldn’t leave it on while you’re not using it. When the appliance is heating up, there isn’t that much electricity being used but if you constantly use this mode then there’s a better chance that your bill will be higher.
If you know that you’ll only use the air fryer for one meal at night, then set it to preheat before dinner and turn it off immediately after your meal is done cooking.
- Use Stoneware Pans Instead of Frying Bags
Fry bags are made out of heat-resistant material so they won melt even when they come in contact with hot oil. However, they can be relatively expensive to buy if you want to use them for more than one meal.
If you want to save money on your electric bill, then try using stoneware pans which are much cheaper and equally effective at cooking food.
- Use Less Oil for Frying Foods
Even though you’re using oil in an air fryer, it doesn’t mean that you should pour as much as possible into your appliance! Grease is thick and takes longer to heat up so if you use too much of it, there’s a higher chance that your electrical bill will skyrocket!
If possible, use less than what the recipe calls for or look for recipes that don’t require any grease at all (there are a ton of them out there!)
- Don’t Cook Too Many Different Foods at Once
Since air fryers have a limited amount of space, it’s not to cook several different types of food in one cycle. Instead, cook your main dish and side dishes separately so that you don’t have to use the appliance as much. As an added benefit, this will prevent flavors from mixing which can affect the taste of your meal!
- Use a Vegetable Steamer Rather Than a Microwave or Oven
If you want to steam vegetables while also cooking other foods, then try using a vegetable steamer instead of turning on your oven or microwave. Not only will this save energy but it will also prevent steamed veggies from going bad before they’re eaten.
- Avoid Drying Out Food by Cooking It in a Regular Oven Instead of an Air Fryer
There are some foods that you shouldn’t cook using the air fryer. For example, if you want to make crispy chicken wings, then put them in your oven for 30 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit rather than cooking them in the appliance. The outside won’t burn and they’ll taste just as good!
- Use Your Microwave While You’re Waiting for Something Else to Cook
If you have something that takes a while to cook but don’t want to leave it on your stovetop or oven, then use your microwave! This will help keep electricity usage low so you can save more money on your electric bill.
- If You Can’t Get Rid of Your Oven or Stove, Use These Appliances at Night Instead
Since the air fryer has a lower wattage than an oven or stove if you’re really trying to save electricity then use these appliances during peak hours while using the air fryer while it’s dark. As long as you preheat whatever you’re cooking, it should take around the same amount of time for your food to be cooked!
- Make Sure That Your Food Doesn’t Come in Contact with Grease While It’s Cooking
One way that you can prevent some foods from sticking together while they cook is by making sure that they don’t come into contact with grease! If you’re cooking bacon or sausage, then turn over halfway through the cooking process so that it’s not only crispy on one side but both!
- If You Don’t Have Room For an Air Fryer, Preheat Your Oven with a Pan of Water Inside It
If you can’t fit your air fryer in your kitchen, don’t worry! You can make do without one by preheating your oven and adding water to the bottom of it.
The steam created when the water comes into contact with hot coils will help cook whatever food you’re trying to heat up! Just be sure to put some tin foil on the rack before placing the dish on it so that you won’t have to burnt grease off later!
- Try Baking Some Foods in the Air Fryer
Not only can you cook certain foods in your oven or stovetop, but you can also bake them inside an air fryer! If your appliance comes with a baking accessory, then all the better! Just be sure to use cooking spray and look for recipes that call for less than 30 minutes of cooking time.
- Cook Your Side Dishes at a Lower Temperature Than You Normally Would
Just like using an oven or stove, cooking times will vary based on how much food you’re trying to cook and what temperature it’s being cooked at!
Keep this in mind when preheating your oven so that it doesn’t burn whatever dish needs less time to cook! As an added bonus, cooking at a lower temperature will help save money on your energy bill.
- Preheat Your Oven with a Strip of Tin Foil in It to Keep Foods from Sticking
To keep food from sticking to the bottom of your oven so that it cooks evenly, try lining the bottom with tin foil before preheating! This makes it so that there isn’t any grease or oils for the food to stick to, making it quick and easy to clean up when you’re done.
- Cook Two Different Types of Food Simultaneously by Placing One Above the Other
If you want both types of food to cook simultaneously then just place one above another inside the air fryer! Make sure that there’s enough room between them, though, or else they might cook unevenly.
Conclusion about How Much Electric Does An Air Fryer Use
If you’re looking at purchasing an air fryer, don’t forget to take into account the cost of your electric bill. The tips and tricks that we’ve outlined in this post should help you save money on your power usage while still enjoying all the benefits of cooking with an air fryer.
From washing dishes by hand to using a cooler as insulation for hot foods, there are plenty of ways to reduce how much energy is being used or wasted during food preparation. Which tip have you found most helpful? Do any other readers have suggestions they would like to share?
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