Air fryers continue to gain popularity since they provide a healthier alternative to fried dishes. Aside from that, there are a plethora of reasons to enjoy an air fryer. Not to mention that these countertop gadgets can prepare complete meals and perform a variety of duties. With all of the bells and whistles you could dream for in an air fryer, the key issue remains: how much power does an air fryer consume?
How Do Air Fryers Work?
The majority of air fryers use convection heat circulation to cook food. Air fryers are a more convenient cooking option than standard ovens. For starters, preparing meals in an air fryer saves time and creates less mess. An air fryer also uses less oil, promoting a healthier lifestyle. Not to mention that you may use healthy vegetable and nut oils.
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Air fryers use perforated baskets, wire racks, and ceramic plates to circulate hot air around the food. The hot air can get as hot as 400 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure foods are browned on the outside and moist on the inside. To give you an easier time, the best air fryers come with preset functions at the push of a button for common foods.
A basket air fryer is one of the most often used air fryers. They have a greater capacity for cooking as much food as you like. They also have racks to separate different types of food, allowing you to cook them at different temperatures.
How Much Electricity Does an Air Fryer Use?
The watts that an air fryer uses is often indicated on the product information label. Most air fryers utilize between 800 and 1800 watts, with the actual wattage depending on the fryer. Of course, this means that the amount of power consumed by an air fryer varies with its size.
Therefore, a smaller air fryer will use less electricity than a large one. Small air fryers use at least 800 to 1000 watts. An average air fryer will use about 1200-1400 watts, and a large Ninja air fryer uses between 1600 and 1800 watts.
Given that these values are exactly half the power pull of the average full-size oven, it is reasonable to assume that the air fryer will consume nearly half as much electricity to function. Typically, an air fryer consumes 3-5 kWh of power per hour of operation. If you use your air fryer for an hour per day, it will add around $0.30-$0.50 to your monthly power cost.
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When adding additional electric gadgets to your electrical system, you need also consider the amperage drain. It will assist you in determining the appropriate breaker size as well as the kind and size of wire to utilize. Furthermore, air fryers usually require between 6 amps and 15 amps on average, depending on the wattage of your machine.
A small air fryer typically has a lower amp requirement and energy consumption. Larger models are on the higher end of the spectrum. Of course, to know the amperage draw of your air fryer, you can calculate it using the wattage of your air fryer and the voltage of your electrical system. This goes to say that if you’re worried about excessive electricity bills, air fryers are not the appliance you should be worried about.
How Energy Efficient Are Air Fryers?
Air fryers create heat quickly using a heating element powered by electricity. Of course, the air fryer includes an inbuilt fan to ensure food is cooked in minutes. Unlike an electric oven, this procedure results in no energy or power usage loss. This makes air fryers more energy efficient. Here are a few additional reasons why air fryers are energy-efficient:
- Compact shape. The compact shape keeps the heat contained and prevents the heat from escaping.
- Compact design. The design helps to conserve electricity, thus keeping your electricity bills at a normal level. Unlike the average oven, less energy is required to heat the excellent and compact design. The holes on the bottom of the air fryer ensure even cooking.
- Embedded fan. A high-speed fan is essential for circulating hot air and distributing air around the fryer.
- Quick preheating. Compared to traditional ovens, preheating an air fryer takes less time.
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Air fryers consume less power than the normal convection oven. Furthermore, they use even less electricity than certain high-end ovens. While air fryers are more energy-efficient, traditional ovens can cook bigger quantities of food. If you want to utilize an air fryer for batch cooking, you’ll have to use it several times, which reduces energy efficiency. These limits do not apply to a conventional full-sized oven.
What Factors Affect the Electric Consumption of Air Fryers?
Several things influence how your air fryer uses power. A number of factors influence energy usage, including:
a) Its Power Requirements
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The amount of power required to run an air fryer influences how much electricity it consumes and affects your electric bill. Its power consumption and needs are also determined by its size, make, and model. Furthermore, most air fryers are energy efficient, using just roughly 800 watts to operate their heaters. Some bigger versions may require up to 2,000 watts of energy. However, huge models should only be used for larger households.
b) Running Costs
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Lowering energy use results in cheaper operating expenses. Air fryer expenses are low, which means more efficient food preparation. Of course, using an air fryer will use $0.12 of power per hour, as opposed to more than $0.35 per hour for standard ovens. Using an air fryer saves money on your electricity bill and prevents you from wasting energy.
c) Air Fryer Settings
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Air fryer variables, including temperature, cooking time, preheating, and capacity, have a substantial influence on power use. Of course, the sort of food you want to make will dictate the temperature settings and power needs. Remember that higher cooking temperatures and longer cooking periods consume more energy.
Frequently Asked Questions About How Much Electricity an Air Fryer Uses
i) Is it cheaper to use an air fryer than an oven?
Yes, it is. An air fryer is less expensive than an oven since it is smaller and requires less power. However, an air fryer is advised for frying small amounts of food. If you need to prepare a significant amount of food, an oven is the finest option.
ii) Does an air fryer use more electricity than a microwave?
If you want to run an appliance solely on costs, then a microwave is easier and more efficient than an air fryer. It also uses less electricity and won’t cause your energy bills to skyrocket.
iii) How much power does an air fryer use compared to an oven?
Air fryers are tiny electrical appliances that use less energy than traditional ovens. In addition, a big air fryer consumes around 2000 watts of power, whereas a convection oven consumes approximately twice that much.
iv) Is it worth getting an air fryer?
Yes, it is. Air fryers tend to cook food faster than a traditional oven, so you can have your delicious home-cooked meal on the table in no time. Furthermore, cleanup is a breeze because there is no oil or greasy residue. An air fryer is worth considering for this reason.
v) Can I reheat food in an air fryer?
Yes, you can. Begin by preheating the air fryer to 350-400F for 4 to 5 minutes. Place the food you wish to reheat in the basket, making sure it isn’t too full. Air fried for 3 to 5 minutes, until crispy and cooked through, but keep an eye on it to avoid scorching the food.
The Bottom Line
An air fryer is not intended to replace your oven. However, air fryers are beneficial, particularly because they cook quickly and at high temperatures. Food, such as chicken, will become crispy on the outside and moist on the inside if left in the oven for 30 minutes. In any case, an air fryer offers more cooking options for greater adaptability.
