In recent years, a growing number of people have realised the benefits of swapping out traditional ovens for air fryers. These nifty devices are not only a quicker alternative for whipping up meals but are also seen as a healthier option due to their minimal use of oil.
They’re energy efficient too, which is great news for those looking to cut down on energy bills. But there’s now a new kitchen contender that’s reportedly even more cost-effective than air fryers, and they won’t set you back more than £40.
Halogen ovens are gaining popularity for being an “amazing” swap for the trendy air fryer—and they’re significantly cheaper. These ovens consist of a glass bowl with a halogen bulb-equipped lid.
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When turned on, infra-red radiation beams heat up and a fan circulates this hot air, cooking the food evenly. Bargain hunters can snag a Daewoo 17L halogen air fryer from Amazon at a mere £35.99, while Argos sells a Tower brand version for £50.
The Daewoo model is highly regarded on Amazon, boasting a 4.3-star rating. Users rave about its speed and ease of use, reports the Express.
A satisfied customer shared their thoughts, saying: “I absolutely love this item it’s really good,quick,easy to use once you have used it a few times it gets easier it’s so much better than my electric cooker and cheaper to run,and also cheaper than an air fryer so if you want a good healthy fryer it has to be this one.”
One customer enthused: “It is so easy to use, unlike a lot of air fryers, just select the temp, and the time….done, and to clean is also simple, just wipe the big glass bowl with a sponge, also, it is the cheapest to run one I have ever had, thank you.” Another added: “Cheaper than an oven I prefer this to the air fryer. Much cheapest and fats drain out. Not sat in grease whilst cooking.”
Yet another happy user shared: “I got this to replace an airfryer, which I never got on with. This is so much better: larger, glass so I can keep an eye on the food as it cooks, manual controls so much easier for me.”
“I can fit my casseroles etc in and I just love it. Will not go back to airfryers when this is so much simpler, cheaper and easier to use.”
Some customers, however, mentioned that the appliance’s bowl was quite heavy and might present challenges for those with wrist problems. A buyer pointed out: “The product is a good size however it makes it awkward to clean and the bowl is very heavy and I chipped mine in 2 days of owning it.”
“The heat doesn’t disperse evenly and the items on the top tray tend to burn or cook way quicker so keep that in mind. The lid, when hot, becomes very awkward to set down. Other than that it works well and fits loads in at a time and even 2 large pizzas! “A study done by Energia in 2022 recommended households use microwaves and air fryers for cooking since they’re oftentimes less costly than using an oven.
A team of experts has broken down the cost of running various kitchen appliances per hour. They found that an oven, with an average energy usage of 1575 watts, costs about 50p to run per hour.
An air fryer, with an average energy usage of 1500 watts, costs around 43p to run per hour, meaning a half-hour use would cost approximately 22p. A microwave, with an average energy usage of 1750 watts, costs about 57p to run per hour, so using it for five minutes would cost just 0.04p.