Australians could slash cooking costs by almost 60 per cent this winter simply by swapping one common kitchen appliance.
Analysis from consumer comparison group iSelect found cooking with an air fryer between June and August costs less than half as much as using a traditional oven.
iSelect Utilities manager Julia Paszka told Yahoo Lifestyle this was due to lower energy usage and shorter cooking times.
“With energy bills under pressure this winter, the humble air fryer could be one of the easiest swaps Australians make to cut costs,” Julia said.
RELATED:
“Ovens draw around 2.96kW of energy and take time to preheat, whereas the average air fryer runs at just 1.85kW and gets going straight away.
“Add in the fact that air fryers cook around 25 per cent faster, and those savings could stack up quickly.”
Do you have a simple air fryer or slow cooker recipe to share? Contact carina.stathis@yahooinc.com
The cost of using the oven throughout winter totalled $46.40, whereas cooking with an air fryer cost $19.44 – a difference of $26.96.
(Getty)
The iSelect analysis found that using an oven would cost $46.40, while an air fryer was $19.44 — a difference of $26.96.
“Given that energy is charged by the kilowatt hour, the less power your appliance draws and the less time it runs, the more money could stay in your pocket,” Julia said.
“It’s a simple change that can make a real difference to your bill.”
What appliances are the most expensive to run in winter?
iSelect analysed 10 common electrical appliances over a winter period of 92 days between June and August.
Unsurprisingly, the most expensive to run during winter was a reverse-cycle air conditioner for heating.
The appliance’s total winter cost was $857.53, which was drastically more than running an electric heater, which totalled $190.01 over three months.
Other appliances, in order of most expensive to least expensive, were as follows:
Hand washing dishes – $127.61
Running a dehumidifier – $120.40
Running a fridge/freezer – $56.26
Cooking using the oven $46.40
Drying clothing using the tumble dryer – $39.15
Using the dishwasher – $22.57
Cooking using an air fryer – $19.44
Using a hairdryer – $15.99
The costs reflect the Australian average per-kWh variable rate of $0.3408, which excludes daily supply charges.
Which is the best air fryer in Australia?
Air fryers have developed a devoted following among Aussie home cooks thanks to their speed, convenience and lower running costs.
There are dozens of brands and hundreds of models available to choose from.
So, which is Australia’s best?
In April, Ninja was declared the winner in Canstar Blue’s customer satisfaction awards for the fourth year in a row.
The consumer group surveyed hundreds of Aussies on eight brands of air fryers, including Breville, Aldi, Kmart’s Anko, and Tefal.
But the clear winner in the poll was Ninja.
Ninja took the top spot for the fourth year in a row, taking the top position from Aldi in 2022. Source: Instagram/Ninja Kitchen/Aldi
The range ranked five stars in overall satisfaction, durability, ease of use, features and functionality, performance, and design.
It scored four stars in value for money and ease of cleaning.
The Ninja air fryer collection ranges from the $259 Ninja Foodi Dual Zone 7.6L Air Fryer AF300 to the $499 Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill and Air Fryer AG551.
Ninja air fryers were ranked so highly because they have dishwasher-safe baskets, multiple cooking settings, and extras such as recipe books.
The brand won the top spot in 2023, 2024, and 2025 after taking it from Aldi’s Ambiano in 2022, which ranked five stars for value for money and ease of cleaning.
Want the latest lifestyle and entertainment news? Make sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Dining and Cooking