Oven or air fryer?

moonpenny

Because of the rise in electricity i am toying with the idea of buying a small (counter top) oven or air fryer

I have a normal size fan oven and smaller "normal" oven that takes ages to heat up.

It really annoys me heating the oven just to put a sngle salmon portion in or handful of chips etc.

Has anyone done this and has it been worthwhile and cost effective?

Woodstok2000

Yes and yes. The air fryer is great for smaller items. The oven used to cost about 30p to heat and run for 25 minutes, the air fryer costs about 10p.

FlorayG

I haven't used a proper oven for over ten years. I have a halogen oven; this does everything an air fryer will do, has more room inside and you can pick them up for next to nothing on FB marketplace, often unused

Sherlock33

For one person, a small air fryer is great. For a family less so unless you get a one with a lot more cooking space.

SandyShores

I used to have a halogen oven before we moved house and would definitely recommend it. We've got a double/stacked airfryer now which probably fits in our kitchen better, but I regretted letting the halogen go.

BridgetTheCat

My oven broke down 3 years ago and as there’s only me instead of replacing it I bought a Ninja flex drawer air fryer. As air fryers go it was quite expensive but still about 1/4 the price of a new oven. It has a large compartment that can be split into 2 separate cooking zones which I find particularly useful.

Ms_Chocaholic

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82154323#Comment_82154323

So you're saving 20p each time. How many years will it take to recoup the cost of the air fryer if the airfryer costs £50 / £100 / £150 / £200 (depending on model purchased). A looooooooooong time. For the price of an air fryer at £100 it will be 500 uses before you break even so approx 18 months if use it every day, every other day it'll be 3 years ish.

XzavierWalnut

Only used the oven for the last 3 years if the food doesn't fit in the air fryer.
Some pre packed meals do not have air fryer instructions, but I just reduce the temperature and the time a bit.

sarah1972

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82154598#Comment_82154598

I agree, wouldn’t catch me using an air fryer when I have a perfectly good oven .

Woodstok2000

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82154598#Comment_82154598

That's only on short runs. Running it longer saves more. On average we use the air fryer twice per day for the family with lunches, dinners etc. Have had it 4 years, so conservatively (twice per day, 20 minute run, 300 days per year) we've save over £600 even after the cost of the fryer.

Oh_Baubles

However, if you oven runs on GAS…..