Martin Lewis, renowned for his wise financial counsel, has recently turned his attention to a popular kitchen appliance: the air fryer. Many have embraced this appliance for its health benefits and cost savings, but Martin Lewis offers a different perspective. Let’s delve into his honest opinion on air fryers and whether they truly live up to the hype.
In a recent episode of The Martin Lewis podcast, Martin shared his views on air fryers. He pointed out that ovens can often be more cost-effective than air fryers. Unlike microwaves that provide consistent heat, ovens heat up to the highest temperature and then release intermittent bursts of heat to maintain it. This means ovens don’t constantly operate at full power, resulting in cost savings. 
However, Martin Lewis does acknowledge that certain scenarios exist where air fryers or microwaves can be more cost-effective. For example, if you’re cooking a single jacket potato, using the air fryer or microwave would be the cheaper option. But for most people, constantly crunching the numbers to determine the most cost-efficient choice based on varying amounts of food isn’t practical.
To simplify things, Martin Lewis provides an equation that can be used to calculate the cost efficiency of kitchen appliances. By finding the wattage of the appliance, determining the power consumption, and multiplying it by the cost per hour of use, you can compare costs. This equation applies not just to ovens, but also to air fryers.
To support Martin’s viewpoint, The Money Edit reveals that the average running cost of an oven is 21p, whereas an air fryer costs only 13.6p. However, it’s important to note that more powerful air fryer models may have higher running costs. Additionally, the quantity of food being cooked is an important factor to consider.
In conclusion, Martin Lewis suggests that for small and straightforward dishes, using the microwave or air fryer may be more cost-effective. However, for larger meals or roasts, the oven can offer better value for money.
Now, Martin Lewis may be well-known for his financial expertise, but he’s also provided valuable advice on debit cards. He recommends switching to credit cards for the added fraud protection they offer.
So, before you invest in an air fryer, take into account the size of your meals and the cost efficiency. It’s important to make informed decisions that align with your needs and budget.
