Worked examples: Browse pre-calculated scenarios at air-fryer-vs-oven, then return here to replace the assumptions with your own figures.
How this calculator works
- The calculator estimates electricity consumption from the power and total powered time of each cooking method.
- Preheating is included separately because a larger oven may spend significant time heating before food is cooked.
- The result shows the cost difference for one cooking event and can be scaled to repeated weekly use.
What can change the result
- Actual cooking and preheat times
- Average power draw rather than only maximum rating
- How much food is cooked at once
- Your electricity unit rate
How to read the result
The cheaper option can change with portion size. An air fryer may be efficient for a small meal while an oven can make more sense when several dishes or larger batches are cooked together.
A useful way to stress-test the answer is to change the most uncertain input by 10 to 20% and see whether your decision still looks sensible.
Worked example
Shorter preheat and cook times can matter more than the appliance's rated power.
Frequently asked questions
Does an oven draw full rated power continuously?
Usually not. Use an average-power estimate if you have one.
What about batch cooking?
Compare the actual job; ovens can become more efficient per portion for larger batches.