Which Appliance Is More Energy Efficient - The Oven Or The Air Fryer?

When you think about a ginormous energy bill, you may picture your air conditioning unit running at full blast in the summer, but the truth is that the heating elements of your heater and oven can be just as power-hungry. However, unlike your HVAC system, you don't have to wait for warm weather to start saving energy in the kitchen. There are many ways to reduce energy costs at home and regulating the use of your electric oven is one example. Some may even suggest switching to an air fryer. After all, they are said to be more energy efficient than most ovens. This claim, however, might not be accurate for everyone, and misusing your air fryer could lead to an even less manageable energy bill.

On the surface, the math checks out: most electric ovens consume between 2,200 and 5,000 watts per hour of usage. This number depends on the size of your oven, the efficiency of its heating element, and how long you cook the food. In contrast, air fryers, which typically use between 800 and 1,500 watts, are significantly more energy efficient. The issue with this logic is that it isn't representative of all scenarios. Many people don't cook for just one person, and air fryers have a limited capacity that can be as small as 2 quarts. If your air fryer is on the smaller side, you might need to cook in multiple batches, consuming more energy than a single oven cycle.

To determine how much energy you are saving, you have to look beyond the wattage and consider thermal efficiency and cook time. Air fryers heat up rapidly and operate for a shorter duration, making them more energy efficient when cooking smaller meals, snacks, or quick weeknight dishes. The downside comes when you're trying to cook more food than the air fryer can handle. Because the fryers typically don't have the same insulation capabilities as ovens, they don't retain heat as effectively. This means the appliance has to go through the same heating cycle every time you use it, consuming more energy and doubling the cooking time. Not to mention, some unreliable air fryer brands have even worse insulation than usual and tend to over consume energy.

In cases like this, the oven is the better choice. Even though they need to preheat for about 15 minutes before cooking, most modern oven models make up for it with excellent insulation. Thus, you don't have to warm up your oven multiple times. In addition, the large capacity of an oven compared to an air fryer allows for a larger number of dishes to be prepared at the same time. So, when you're cooking a family dinner or preparing meals for the week, the oven can be the more energy-efficient option.

From a financial standpoint, the cost of purchasing an air fryer compared to the amount of money it saves on your energy bill may still not make the device worthwhile. With most air fryers having a lifespan of two to five years, you might not break even on your initial investment during the appliance's lifetime. That's why learning some genius tricks to save money on electricity while using your oven may be the better choice. You can do this by filling multiple racks or cooking several dishes at once to maximize the energy used to heat the oven cavity. You should also avoid unnecessary preheating for dishes that can tolerate temperature variation.

For further energy savings, oven users should resist the urge to open the door and check the food every few minutes, as this leads to heat loss and forces the heating element to compensate. Another detail many people overlook is that you can turn off your oven a few minutes before the dish is finished. Because the oven retains heat, the food will continue to cook even after the appliance is off. Keeping your oven clean is also important for maintaining stable temperatures, as it protects seals and internal surfaces, helping to preserve the insulation.