Which oven to use?

dunstonh

I think it may be time to invest in an airfryer.

That window may have gone now that electricity costs are likely to come down.   How long will it take for you to breakeven with the outlay?

A fan oven will use around 2kWh (ballpark).  So, an hour on that will cost about 68p at current rates.
An air frier could knock some time off and would use around 1.5kWh.  So, that is about 51p for an hour at current rates.

Cheap air friers are typically small and better if its just one person.  The more people you feed, the larger the air frier and the higher the cost.  And if you end up using the oven and the frier, then you have made things worse.

So, whilst cheaper to run (potentially), how long will it take you to recover those pennies difference on the initial outlay.
If you don't have a microwave, that may be a better all-rounder for you to purchase.  However, it really depends on what your typical use would be.  Microwaves are cheaper than airfriers in terms of energy used but even though modern microwaves can do so much more than older ones, they still cannot do everything.

a smart meter would help as you could get a better ballpark of your use when its turned on at your chosen settings compared to before you turn it on along with the difference over the time it is on.

Krakkkers

My 2.5kw oven uses around 0.7 kwh if i have it on for 45 mins.

Alnat1

Do you have anywhere to grow berries?  Easiest/most productive would be a raspberry which would do ok in a large container on a balcony or patio even if you don't have garden space. You could freeze all the surplus fruit, would do months of breakfasts.

Krakkkers

Alnat1 said:

Do you have anywhere to grow berries?  Easiest/most productive would be a raspberry which would do ok in a large container on a balcony or patio even if you don't have garden space. You could freeze all the surplus fruit, would do months of breakfasts.

I am confused, which oven is that?

Swipe

It's definitely worth investing in a microwave over an air fryer IMO. Mine gets used multiple times a day and really couldn't do without one. I would also consider an air fryer but I have a 1.5KW JML halogen oven which does a similar job e.g. small pizza and oven chips in 10mins when using the wire stand to raise them up a bit versus 30 mins in the normal oven.

strawb_shortcake

I'm having issues quoting at the moment, so try and reply to all 

We've not quite worked out exactly what we'd use an airfryer for, hence not buying one before now. I cook a lot of one pot meals, casseroles, paella etc. I do like a slow cooker though and that gets used (but need to buy a new one as I dropped mine)

I typically cook for 4/5 though from September it will be more often just 3 of us. 

 
Yes, we certainly have the space to grow our own, something else we've been meaning to do for a long time. 

I've not had a microwave for over 20 years, I've not missed one but I suppose I've just got use to using the hob/oven.

I'm going to try overnight weetabix for a cheaper more energy efficient breakfast this week. 

badger09

I’m not a breakfast person but have you tried overnight oats?
You could use exactly the same ingredients as your baked recipe but avoid the cooking costs. 

I used to layer GF oats, then frozen berries, drizzle of honey or sprinkling of sweetener, then natural yoghurt on top. Leave overnight in fridge, stir in the morning. Lasts for several days. 

Spoonie_Turtle

badger09 said:

I’m not a breakfast person but have you tried overnight oats?
You could use exactly the same ingredients as your baked recipe but avoid the cooking costs. 

I used to layer GF oats, then frozen berries, drizzle of honey or sprinkling of sweetener, then natural yoghurt on top. Leave overnight in fridge, stir in the morning. Lasts for several days. 

Would be much quicker to heat than baking from scratch too (I used to prepare my porridge the previous night then ping in the microwave to save time in the morning, back when I was able to work).

badger09

Spoonie_Turtle said:

badger09 said:

I’m not a breakfast person but have you tried overnight oats?
You could use exactly the same ingredients as your baked recipe but avoid the cooking costs. 

I used to layer GF oats, then frozen berries, drizzle of honey or sprinkling of sweetener, then natural yoghurt on top. Leave overnight in fridge, stir in the morning. Lasts for several days. 

Would be much quicker to heat than baking from scratch too (I used to prepare my porridge the previous night then ping in the microwave to save time in the morning, back when I was able to work).

I only ever ate it cold. Not a fan of porridge & as I said, I’m not a breakfast person. 3 coffees (2 real followed by decaf) is enough for me😊

strawb_shortcake

I wasn't so keen on the texture of overnight oats, but I'll give the weetabix a go. 

I do like porridge, but unfortunately I like it sweet and that's not going to help the diet