You’ve been using your air fryer all wrong – 9 mistakes that can add to energy bills and how to fix them | The Sun

AIR fryers can be a savvy way to tackle rising costs when you’re preparing meals.

These gadgets can be less expensive to use than an oven, and especially if it's an electric one, or cooking a small amount of food.

It costs 53p an hour to use an air fryer with a power rating of 1,550 watts.

This compares to 71p an hour for an oven with an average power rating of 2,100 watts.

These machines use hot air to cook food, as opposed to oil, and are quicker and more efficient.

This means that as well as saving on your energy bills, the results are also healthier than deep-fat frying.

As an extra bonus, you get all of this without having to compromise on a crispy fried finish.  

Many air fryer owners rave about how the gadget has completely transformed the way they cook.

But you need to use your air fryer in the right way – or it could end up costing you more instead.

We spoke to Jenny Tschiesche, nutritionist and author of Air-Fryer Cookbook, to find out the common mistakes to avoid.

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Wasting time and money pre-heating

The air fryer aficionado told The Sun: “One of the most obvious things people often do wrong is thinking they always have to pre-heat their air fryer. 

"For some foods, such as those which start frozen, and for baked goods, this is recommended.

"However, for other items, you could be wasting time and energy preheating. 

"To use your gadget more efficiently, where possible, include the pre-heating as part of the actual cooking time."

Overfilling your air fryer

You need to take care not to cram your gadget too full, according to Jenny.

“Make sure the air can circulate,” she said.

“Air needs to move all around to cook everything properly. This won’t be possible if the items are too close together.”

If in doubt, check back with the manufacturer’s guidance on capacity.

“Spacing food out is particularly important if you are cooking food from frozen,” she added.

“An air fryer is more efficient than an oven when cooking items from the freezer, but you need to ensure they aren’t stuck together.

"If they are, the process will take longer, and you’ll use more energy.”

Not using the space while cooking

When making a roast, don’t make the mistake of thinking you have to use your air fryer two or three separate times.

“If you’re cooking a small chicken in a five or six-litre air fryer, you will typically need to leave it in for around 40-60 minutes,” said Jenny.

“There should be spare space on the tray for vegetables such as parsnips and carrots.

"If you cook these alongside the chicken, you can save time, as well as energy and money.”

If the cooking times are different, wait until closer to the end to add those items. The key is to make use of the space.

Using a liner which isn’t weighed down

Many people use liners to protect their air fryer, but you must not leave these loose inside your machine.

“Liners are light in weight,” said Jenny.

“If you start your air fryer with a liner inside but with nothing on it, it can move around and affect the heating element.

"This can cause burning of the lining, and could result in your air fryer being less efficient.

"It is also a fire hazard. You need to ensure any liner you use is always weighed down by food.”

Forgetting to shake the basket

If you have a basket, remember to shake this a few times while the air fryer is in progress.

“You need to do this to ensure even cooking,” said Jenny.

"Certain items might need turning over to get an even browning.”

If you’re at risk of forgetting, set an alarm on your phone to remind yourself to do this.

“If not, you could end up wasting electricity and money cooking items for longer than necessary,” said the energy-saving whizz.

Not keeping your air fryer clean

One sure-fire way to waste energy with your air fryer is failing to keep your machine clean.

“If you don’t take a few basic steps, your gadget will not work as efficiently,” said Jenny.

“All you need is a micro-fibre cloth and a bowl of warm soapy water.”

You can pick up a pack of four micro-fibre cleaning cloths for £2 from Asda.

“Spend a bit of time cleaning the basket and any trays you have,” said Jenny.

“You also need to clean the heating element carefully. But always remember to unplug the device first.

"Hopefully, if you’re using your air fryer efficiently, there shouldn’t be too much grime and fat to remove.”

Using a low-calorie spray

At all costs, Jenny advises against using a low-calorie cooking spray containing an emulsifier called lecithin.

“Using one of these sprays can break down the non-stick coating of your air fryer, making it work a lot less efficiently,” she warned.

“You want your air fryer to last. Opt for olive oil, coconut oil or avocado oil instead, as all of these are fine to use.”

Failing to use your air fryer to reheat

An air fryer is now about so much more than simply creating crispy fried food.

“One of these gadgets is a great way to reheat food, such as a pastry,” said Jenny.

“When reheating, you want to do this until the middle of the food or dish is at around 70 degrees centigrade for two minutes to ensure the food is cooked through.

"It’s worth investing in a food thermometer to make sure items are safe to eat.”

Only using your air fryer

While an air fryer can feel like a life-changing gadget to own, don’t neglect your other appliances altogether.

A combination of methods might make more sense.

“There may be occasions where it makes use to use the microwave as well as your air fryer, as combining the two can help you save both energy and money,” said Jenny.

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“For example, if you want to cook a baked potato, it makes sense to put it into the microwave first for around eight minutes, until soft.

"Once you’ve done this, move it to the air fryer for a similar length of time to finish off the cooking process and to make it crispy. I’d suggest a high heat of around 200 degrees.”

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