An energy expert has revealed which kitchen gadget could help you save the most on your energy bills in 2025. The air fryer, a versatile device capable of reheating leftovers, crisping up frozen food, baking cakes and cooking full roast dinners, is often touted as an alternative to energy-hungry ovens.
However, with the impending increase in the energy price cap from January, people are on the hunt for the most energy-efficient way to prepare their favourite comfort foods, and one appliance has emerged as the ultimate cost-saving solution. Traditional ovens, found in nearly every UK home, use approximately 500 to 1000 watts per hour, translating into an estimated cost of 12p to 25p per hour of use depending on the size and wattage of your oven.
On the other hand, the average air fryer uses about 900 to 2000 watts per hour, costing 22p to 49p per hour of use depending on the size and wattage of your air fryer. While this may seem higher than expected, it’s important to remember that air fryer cooking times are significantly shorter, meaning the actual cost per cook would end up being lower.
However, according to recent research by Bionic, slow cookers have come out on top. A winter staple across the UK, slow cookers are favoured for their long cooking times and minimal energy use.
In the UK, a typical slow cooker consumes between 70 to 250 watts per hour, which translates to an estimated usage cost ranging from roughly 2p to 6p per hour based on the wattage and size of your appliance, reports Lancs Live.
Energy specialist Les Roberts at Bionic said: “The data shows that despite much longer cooking times, slow cookers are consistently one of the most energy and cost-efficient ways to cook, costing as little as 5p to use.
“Air fryers have been revealed to have one of the least cost-efficient prices per hour, clocking in at a surprising 22p to 49p per hour, often coming in higher than the cost of using your oven, despite being commonly associated with one of the most energy-efficient cooking methods. However, with air fryers, it is important to remember that cooking times are often halved, with the average air fryer cooking time clocking in at 30 minutes.
“The data reflects the current energy price cap, although it’s important to know from January 1 to March 31, 2025, the price cap will be increasing and energy for a typical household paying by Direct Debit will go up by 1.2% to £1,738 per year.”