Air fryers continue to grow in popularity since they offer a healthier way to consume fried foods. Apart from that, there is a long list of reasons to love an air fryer. Not to mention, these countertop appliances can cook entire meals and come with many functions. With all the bells and whistles you would hope for in an air fryer, the main question remains, how much electricity does an air fryer use?
How Do Air Fryers Work?
Most air fryers use convection heat circulation to cook food. Cooking with a typical air fryer is convenient compared to a traditional oven. For starters, cooking food in an air fryer takes less time and makes less of a mess. An air fryer also uses less oil for a healthier lifestyle. Not to mention, you can also 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 common air fryers to use. They feature a larger capacity to cook as much food as you want. They also feature racks to separate different types of food so you can cook them at different temperature settings.
How Much Electricity Does an Air Fryer Use?
The wattage that an air fryer consumes is usually listed on the product information label. Most of the time, you will notice that the average air fryer uses between 800 to 1800 watts, and the exact wattage depends on the fryer itself. Of course, this means that the electricity consumption of an air fryer depends on 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 to 1800 watts.
Considering these figures are exactly half the wattage pull of the average full-size oven, it is safe to project that the air fryer will use roughly half as much electricity to operate. Generally, an air fryer uses about 3-5 kWh of electricity per hour of use. If you use your air fryer for an hour daily, you can expect it to add about $0.30-$0.50 to your monthly power bill.
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The amperage draw also matters when adding new electric devices to your electrical system. It will help you decide what size of breaker you need and what size and type of wire you should use. Additionally, most of the time, air fryers typically need between 6 amps and 15 amps on average, depending on the wattage of your unit.
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 are quick to generate heat via a heating element with the help of electricity. Of course, the air fryer also has an embedded fan to ensure food is cooked within minutes. Unlike with an electric oven, this process ensures no energy and power consumption loss. This makes air fryers energy efficient. Additionally, here are some more reasons why air fryers tend to be 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 use less electricity compared to the average convection oven. Additionally, they consume even less power than some high-end ovens. While air fryers are more energy efficient, conventional ovens can cook larger batches of food. If you expect to use an air fryer for batch cooking, you will have to use it multiple times, defeating energy efficiency. A regular full-sized oven doesn’t have these limitations.
What Factors Affect the Electric Consumption of Air Fryers?
Multiple factors affect how your air fryer consumes electricity. The energy consumption is staked on a few factors such as:
a) Its Power Requirements
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The power consumption that an air fryer needs to run affects how it consumes electricity and adds to your electric bill. Its power consumption and requirements are also based on its size, make, and model. Furthermore, most air fryers are energy efficient and only require about 800 watts of power to run their heaters. Some larger models may consume upwards of 2,0000 Watts of electricity. However, large models should be reserved for larger families.
b) Running Costs
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Lower energy consumption means lower running costs. Low air fryer costs mean more efficient ways to prepare food. Of course, running an air fryer will utilize $0.12 of power each hour, contrasted with more than $0.35 each hour for traditional ovens. Using an air fryer has better returns in terms of the energy bill and ensures you don’t waste energy.
c) Air Fryer Settings
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The settings of an air fryer, such as its temperature, cooking time, preheating, and cooking capacity, can significantly impact its electricity consumption. Of course, the type of food you wish to prepare will require different temperature settings and influence the power requirements. Remember, a higher cooking temperature and longer cooking times require more energy consumption.
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. Using an air fryer is cheaper than an oven because it is smaller and uses less power. However, an air fryer is recommended for cooking small batches of food. An oven works best if you want to cook a large quantity of food.
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 small electrical appliances that consume less energy than full-sized ovens. Additionally, a large air fryer uses about 2000 watts of electricity, and a convection oven uses about twice what an air fryer uses.
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. Start by preheating the air fryer at 350-400F for 4 to 5 minutes. Add the food you want to reheat in the basket and ensure no crowding. Air fry for 3 to 5 minutes until crispy and heated through, but keep a close eye on it to avoid burning food.
The Bottom Line
An air fryer is not meant to be a replacement for your oven. However, air fryers are useful, especially since they are fast and can cook at high temperatures. Food, like chicken, will become crunchy on the outside and moist on the inside compared to leaving them in the oven for 30 minutes. Either way, an air fryer still has better cooking functions for added versatility.
