I heard you’re wondering whether or not air fryers are energy efficient. If so, you’re in the right place because I’ve got all the answers you need, plus a breakdown of four of the best air fryers on the market.
In short, yes, air fryers are energy efficient. Compared to other heating devices like microwaves and electric ovens, air fryers can be categorized as highly energy efficient. The average air fryer needs just 1400 watts to run, but you’ll also find options as low as 800 watts and as high as 1800 watts.
Compared to the average modern electric oven that needs 2400 watts on medium to high heat, air fryers are quite the bargain item in terms of electricity expenditure. Along with their impressive ability to reduce your meal’s calorie count, many people buy air fryers simply because they serve as more affordable food prep options than other devices.
If you’re keen on buying one of these brilliant devices, keep reading!
Below is a list of my favorite air fryers, followed by a F.A.Q. Section that will help clear up any confusions you may have about the topic.
My 4 Favorite Air Fryers
1. Dash 2 Tasti Crisp Electric Air Fryer
The Dash 2 Tasti electric air fryer is a remarkable piece of technology that boasts a power demand of just 1000 watts! This device is equipped to reduce added fat by 70-80% while still maintaining your food’s original brilliant flavor. You also won’t notice that nasty residual smell most air fryers put into the food while it’s cooking, which is another reason why this product is one of my favorites.
You can find the Dash 2 Tasti Crisp Electric Air Fryer in several colors, including aqua, black, grey, red, teal, and white. Go ahead and choose a shade that matches the rest of your kitchen!
Features and Benefits
- This device only needs 1000 watts to run, making it more energy-efficient than the average air fryer while still delivering excellent results
- It has a capacity of 2.6 quarts, which is enough for around a pound’s worth of French fries
- Compact and lightweight design makes it easy to shift around the kitchen tabletop (weighs 7.24 pounds)
- The analog interface allows you to choose the exact settings you want
- The automatic power-off options ensures that your food won’t overcook or burn (as long as you’ve programmed the timer accurately)
2. Elite Gourmet EAF-02001BL Electric Air Fryer
Another one of my favorites, the Elite Gourmet Electric Air Fryer, is perfect for those who want a compact device that delivers well. This product can reduce added fat by 85% and reduce the number of calories you’re consuming. What’s more is that you can fry, bake, grill, and roast your food with this device, so go ahead and plan your meals accordingly!
Features and Benefits
- This device can fry food for up to 30 minutes in one go (timer maximum)
- This product had a temperature range between 180F and 395F, making it perfect for most dishes
- 1000-watt air fryer enables economic energy consumption so that your electricity bill doesn’t skyrocket (especially in this economy)
- 2.1-quart capacity makes it ideal for small-scale cooking. So, if you live alone and want a device that’s best suited to single-person meals, go ahead and choose this product
- You also get a 1-year warranty period and U.S. based customer support to accompany this product (although you probably won’t need it because this product is known for its ease of use and ultimate durability)
- Comes in red, black, and mint and contains an analog interface
- This is a compact product that weighs just 1.5 pounds
3. Chefman TurboFry 8 Quart Air Fryer
So, you want something even bigger? Don’t worry, the Chefman TurboFry Air Fryer has got your back! This device boasts a massive capacity of 8 quarts, allowing you to make a meal for not just your entire family but additional guests, too.
There are many pros to this and virtually no cons. Firstly, you’ll be saving plenty of time by cooking all your food in one batch thanks to the large frying basket capacity. Secondly, because all the food will fit inside in one go, you can save up on electricity by running this device just once per mealtime.
Features and Benefits
- This air fryer requires 1700 watts of electricity to run
- It has a large viewing window with internal lighting so that you can easily keep an eye on your food as it fries
- This device has a digital interface to allow for accurate timing and temperature programming. It also has an L.E.D. shake reminder to help ensure you don’t forget to take your food out in time
- Slightly larger device weighing 14 pounds, but with a modern, compact design nonetheless
- 1-year warranty in case of damage
4. Ninja Electric Air Fryer
Another top-rated device, the Ninja Electric Air Fryer, allows you to reduce added fat content by 75% instead of traditional frying methods. You can also benefit from its large temperature range that allows you to cook more or less any air fryer compatible dish out there.
This device has a low fan speed, so you’ll need to preheat the oil 3 minutes in advance for the best results. The low fan speed ensures that the oil heats up evenly and the food is heated all the way through.
Features and Benefits
- The Ninja Air Fryer has an internal capacity of 4 quarts, allowing you to easily cook up to 2 pounds of French fries at a time
- Dishwasher safe parts allow for convenient cleaning
- Contains the following programmable cooking functions: air fry, roast, reheat, and dehydrate
- 1500-watt power supply demand, which is a reasonable requirement for a 4-quart device
- Extremely lightweight device weighing just 5 pounds
- The ceramic-coated basket helps prevent overheating and stops food from burning
- This device has a digital programming interface that allows you to customize your time and temperature options
- Remarkable temperature range: 105F to 400F
- Cord length: 2.6 feet
Compare and Contrast
Dash 2 Tasti Crispy Air Fryer | 2.6 | 1000 | Analogue |
Elite Gourmet Air Fryer | 2.1 | 1000 | Analogue |
Chefman TurboFry 8 Quart Air Fryer | 8 | 1700 | Digital |
Ninja Electric Air Fryer | 4 | 1500 | Digital |
F.A.Q. of Energy Efficient Air Fryers
What can’t I cook within an air fryer?
Sure, air fryers can help you cut energy costs, but they also come with some limitations. You cannot cook foods coated in wet-batter within an air fryer, nor can you include cheese, raw grains, or leafy greens.
Is it always better to buy an air fryer with a low power rating?
Not necessarily. Some air fryers may need as little as 800 watts to run, but they might end up taking longer to cook the same quantity of food a 1500 watt air fryer could cook in significantly lesser time.
Power supply companies charge you based on two things: wattage and time. So, you should try and look for an option that will heat up your food fast and still run on low power mode.
Which air fryer should I buy to save up on energy costs?
When it comes to power ratings, the type of air fryer you buy should depend upon how much food you normally cook.
So, for example, if you live alone and don’t have guests over too often, I’d recommend getting an air fryer with a small cooking capacity (around 2 quarts) and a low power rating (averaging at 1000 watts). Smaller devices heat up faster and reduce your cooking time, too. As a result, you’ll end up saving on both time and energy costs.
If you usually cook your meals in large quantities, try looking for a device with a large container capacity. Even if it needs a larger number of watts to run, it will still reduce your electricity expenditure because you’ll only have to run it for one batch instead of running a low-wattage device multiple times to cook the same amount of food.
Conclusion of Energy Efficient Air Fryers
Now that you’ve gone through this guide, I trust most of your confusion concerning the energy efficiency of air fryers must have been cleared up.
If you’re looking to buy a new air fryer, be sure to consider the products I’ve listed above. Not only are they great in terms of performance, but they also ask for lesser power than most cooking devices and can help you save a big buck on your next electricity bill!
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