Are Multi cookers cheaper than GAS cookers or is it only electric they are compared with

mlusername

Hi, I want to invest in a multi cooker - namely a 15 in 1 - and I have read they are so more economicaly than an electric cooker, but I cannot find anyone who is doing a comparison against gas cookers. I can only find people who are comparing the multi-cooker with electric hob cooker.

So can anyone give me an answer in general, to say whether its a good idea to buy a multi cooker, or if its only money saving compared to a electric and not gas cooker.

Or, can anyone point me in the right direction as regards electric and gas comparison tables etc?

Many thanks

[Deleted User]

It is incredibly hard to make a direct comparison for a variety of reasons.

Typical "15 in 1" ovens are small which generally will make them use less electricity but depends on how much you put in them. Fill a standard over with 2 or 3 trays of food and it will work out more economical than running 2 or 3 small "15 in 1" ovens.

Cooking time and temperature also vary. Small ovens won't be as economical at higher temperatures as they don't have as much insulation compared to a bigger oven, but conversely, they preheat with less energy. 

Having suitably sized oven for your needs is the most appropriate.

You can do a bit of guess work, lets say I'm cooking something for a typical 30 mins

Normal big oven approx 3kW
Preheat for 10 mins = 16.5p at full 3kW
Cook for 30 mins @ 50% duty cycle = 25p

So about 41p per meal

15 in 1 oven say this one as it is a Which? best buy:
https://ninjakitchen.co.uk/product/ninja-foodi-max-15-in-1-smartlid-multi-cooker-with-smart-cook-system-7-5l-ol750uk-zidOL750UK

1.76kW
Preheat 10 mins = 10p
Cook for 30 mins @ 50% duty cycle = 15p

So about 25p per meal

Lots of guess work - duty cycle means the heating element is on 50% of the cooking time - I can't find any data to confirm this, just guessing about right.

Over 1 year, cooking daily:

Oven = £150
15 in 1 = £90

You save £60.

Pay £300 for a 15 in 1 like the above and it will take 5 years to break even.

Get a cheap £90 Amazon one and it will take 18 months before you save money.

Like I said, guessing a bit but gives you an idea of the fact that they won't really save you a massive amount of money.

Now as for a gas cooker, then they will take 3 times longer to break even - so 15 years for the above linked model.

EssexHebridean

I’ve been having this precise debate for a while, and having worked out my rough annual cost for the gas cooker, figured out some time ago that I wouldn’t be seeing any financial gain from a multi-cooker! We do still intend to buy one, but very much as a nice thing to have to make cooking easier and faster, and it just might replace things like our separate slow cooker. For us it’s the time saving where it will come into its own, rather than the money saving! 

mlusername

Many thanks EssexHebridean and what can I say about the reply from tallmansix - thank you! You have settled my mind, both replies.

I very much appreciate you taking the time tallmansix for replying with such a comprehensive answer. Its nice to know that there are good people out there willing to help others in these strange cost-of-living times. Many thanks again.

[Deleted User]

mlusername said:

Many thanks EssexHebridean and what can I say about the reply from tallmansix - thank you! You have settled my mind, both replies.

I very much appreciate you taking the time tallmansix for replying with such a comprehensive answer. Its nice to know that there are good people out there willing to help others in these strange cost-of-living times. Many thanks again.

Thanks but please don't take my numbers as facts, just a rough guide.

ariarnia

EssexHebridean said:

I’ve been having this precise debate for a while, and having worked out my rough annual cost for the gas cooker, figured out some time ago that I wouldn’t be seeing any financial gain from a multi-cooker! We do still intend to buy one, but very much as a nice thing to have to make cooking easier and faster, and it just might replace things like our separate slow cooker. For us it’s the time saving where it will come into its own, rather than the money saving! 

i also value that my instant pot and air fryer both have timers and switch to off or 'keep warm' automatically. less/no risk of burning food and i can put something in and be distracted by something else like flylady spot cleaning (never leave anything unattended in the house) and the beeps tell me when i need to stop what I'm doing and serve up. all things i could do with a timer on my phone i guess but so much more convenient for mw when its built into the cooking process. 

Rosie1001

I’ve got a air fryer and a 10 in one multi cooker … had them for about 2 years now 

I use them a lot ,, they are quick and convenient… the multi cooker is fab for cheap stews etc in the autumn and winter , but I never really thought about them being cheaper to run …

it’s about convenience for me , set them and forgot them until food is ready … 

as others have  said ,they are not cheap to buy so unless you really need them , I wouldn’t bother …. 

My 10 in one I got for £60 in their sale , so if you do want one ,wait until they go on offer …. Mine is a instant pot , the website is instant brands , they regularly have offers on , so keep checking 

Rosie1001

EssexHebridean said:

I’ve been having this precise debate for a while, and having worked out my rough annual cost for the gas cooker, figured out some time ago that I wouldn’t be seeing any financial gain from a multi-cooker! We do still intend to buy one, but very much as a nice thing to have to make cooking easier and faster, and it just might replace things like our separate slow cooker. For us it’s the time saving where it will come into its own, rather than the money saving! 

The slow cooker functions on them are not the best , pressure cooking is where they excel … 

mlusername

Brilliant. Thank you all.

mlusername

And much appreciated [Deleted User] - yes your rough guide is fine. Even with your rough guide, I'm much further on than the internet was giving me.