Which is more energy efficient? Microwave vs Toaster vs Air fryer oven
2022-06-11
When considering using a toaster versus a microwave or a microwave versus an oven, it helps to understand how these devices work.
Microwaves use high-frequency radio waves to heat water molecules in food. Food is basically cooked from the inside out and the air surrounding the food is kept at room temperature. Essentially, microwaves heat all food at once. This method reduces cooking time and energy consumption, especially when cooking small quantities of food.
By contrast, air fryer ovens are heated primarily by convection: hot air surrounds the food, and the heat from the hot coils comes from the temperature difference between the hot air and the food. As the outside of the food heats up, the heat moves inward to heat the inside of the food. Ovens cook food by combining hot air with radiant heat.
Choosing the right energy-efficient cooking equipment for the right task is an easy way to save energy and potentially lower your energy costs in your home. (Not sure where to start? Take our Which is more energy efficient? quiz on the most commonly used appliances).
We've written about the energy showdowns between LED vs. CFL bulbs, crocks vs. ovens, and gas vs. electric dryers. It's time to crown the winner of the battle of the air fryer and toaster vs microwave. The energy efficient cooking winner is... the air fryer oven!
Choosing to cook in an air fryer oven can use 30 to 80 percent less energy than cooking in a microwave. As an added bonus, an air fryer oven won't heat up your kitchen in the summer like cooking with a microwave, which can help keep your air conditioning costs down.
When considering using a toaster versus a microwave or a microwave versus an oven, it helps to understand how these devices work.
Microwaves use high-frequency radio waves to heat water molecules in food. Food is basically cooked from the inside out and the air surrounding the food is kept at room temperature. Essentially, microwaves heat all food at once. This method reduces cooking time and energy consumption, especially when cooking small quantities of food.
By contrast, air fryer ovens are heated primarily by convection: hot air surrounds the food, and the heat from the hot coils comes from the temperature difference between the hot air and the food. As the outside of the food heats up, the heat moves inward to heat the inside of the food. Ovens cook food by combining hot air with radiant heat.
Microwaves use high-frequency radio waves to heat water molecules in food. Food is basically cooked from the inside out and the air surrounding the food is kept at room temperature. Essentially, microwaves heat all food at once. This method reduces cooking time and energy consumption, especially when cooking small quantities of food.
By contrast, air fryer ovens are heated primarily by convection: hot air surrounds the food, and the heat from the hot coils comes from the temperature difference between the hot air and the food. As the outside of the food heats up, the heat moves inward to heat the inside of the food. Ovens cook food by combining hot air with radiant heat.
Choosing the right energy-efficient cooking equipment for the right task is an easy way to save energy and potentially lower your energy costs in your home. (Not sure where to start? Take our Which is more energy efficient? quiz on the most commonly used appliances).
We've written about the energy showdowns between LED vs. CFL bulbs, crocks vs. ovens, and gas vs. electric dryers. It's time to crown the winner of the battle of the air fryer and toaster vs microwave. The energy efficient cooking winner is... the air fryer oven!
Choosing to cook in an air fryer oven can use 30 to 80 percent less energy than cooking in a microwave. As an added bonus, an air fryer oven won't heat up your kitchen in the summer like cooking with a microwave, which can help keep your air conditioning costs down.
When considering using a toaster versus a microwave or a microwave versus an oven, it helps to understand how these devices work.
Microwaves use high-frequency radio waves to heat water molecules in food. Food is basically cooked from the inside out and the air surrounding the food is kept at room temperature. Essentially, microwaves heat all food at once. This method reduces cooking time and energy consumption, especially when cooking small quantities of food.
By contrast, air fryer ovens are heated primarily by convection: hot air surrounds the food, and the heat from the hot coils comes from the temperature difference between the hot air and the food. As the outside of the food heats up, the heat moves inward to heat the inside of the food. Ovens cook food by combining hot air with radiant heat.
