Air fryers can help reduce electricity use, particularly for smaller meals, and their popularity suggests many South Africans see them as a practical solution to rising energy costs.
- South African households are increasingly using air fryers to cut electricity costs, raising questions about their efficiency compared to conventional ovens.
- Amid ongoing electricity price pressures, consumers are turning to smaller appliances in everyday cooking.
- Kerry Motley from Eco Thunder, an energy solutions company, says air fryers use less power and cook faster, but actual savings depend on cooking habits and overall household energy use.
Air fryers have become a common feature in South African kitchens, with many households turning to them to cut electricity costs and save time. While the appliance is generally more energy-efficient than conventional ovens, the overall savings may be less dramatic than expected.
Retail trends reflect the growing demand. JSE-listed online retailer Takealot has reported strong growth in small, energy-efficient appliances, including air fryers, as consumers respond to rising electricity tariffs and ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
Air fryers have also consistently ranked among the top-selling items during major promotional periods such as Black Friday.
From a technical perspective, air fryers typically use less electricity than conventional ovens.
Kerry Motley, from Eco Thunder, an energy solutions company, says air fryers generally operate between 1 200W and 2 000W, compared with 2 500W to 3 000W for conventional ovens. They also run for shorter periods.
“Air fryers usually operate for between 12 and 25 minutes, while conventional ovens typically run for 45 to 60 minutes.”
This translates into significantly lower energy consumption per use. Ovens can use between 1.5kWh and 2.8kWh per cooking session, while air fryers typically use between 0.3kWh and 0.6kWh.
“In practical terms, air fryers can use three to five times less electricity per meal, especially for small portions,” Motley says.
However, she adds that the appliance itself is only part of the equation.
“Electricity usage is influenced by a combination of factors, with cooking time being the most significant, followed by appliance wattage, preheating requirements, and user behaviour.”
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Habits such as opening the oven door frequently or cooking in multiple small batches can increase energy consumption, reducing potential savings.
Motley says there are several misconceptions about air fryers and other energy-efficient appliances.
“Many consumers assume that air fryers always save money, or that lower wattage automatically means lower costs. That’s not necessarily true.”
She elaborates that while air fryers are often seen as a completely different technology, they are essentially compact convection ovens designed to cook food more quickly.
“They are not always the most efficient option for large meals or batch cooking.”
While air fryers can reduce electricity use per meal, their impact on overall household bills is more modest.
“Air fryers do provide noticeable savings per use. However, cooking is only one part of total household electricity consumption, so the overall savings at a household level are moderate rather than dramatic,” Motley says.
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South Africa’s energy constraints have also influenced cooking habits.
Motley says load shedding has driven increased use of smaller appliances such as air fryers and microwaves, particularly because they are more compatible with inverter systems.
“There has also been a shift towards batch cooking and simpler meals as households try to manage electricity usage more efficiently.”
According to Motley, air fryers are most efficient for:
- Small portions;
- Frozen foods;
- Reheating;
- Quick proteins and vegetables.
They are less suited to large meals, baking, or preparing multiple dishes at once.
For households looking to reduce electricity consumption, Motley advises that everyday habits can make a significant difference.
Her advice includes:
- Using appropriately sized appliances;
- Avoiding unnecessary preheating;
- Batch cooking where possible;
- Minimising heat loss during cooking;
- Defrosting food before cooking.
“Reducing cooking time and improving cooking habits are key to saving electricity,” she says.
Air fryers can help reduce electricity use, particularly for smaller meals, and their popularity suggests many South Africans see them as a practical solution to rising energy costs.
However, while the savings per use are clear, they are unlikely to significantly lower overall household electricity bills on their own.
