A 4-litre air fryer, like the Oster models sold in Chile, has a power rating of about 1,300 W. Frozen chips use 0.287 kWh, about CLP 73 with electricity at CLP 255.27 per kWh, against 0.863 kWh and about CLP 220 in an electric oven, according to lab measurements by British consumer group Which? published on October 16, 2026. Across the four dishes it tested, the air fryer used 53% to 69% less energy than the oven.
This guide explains how much an air fryer uses, what it adds to the monthly bill, and when the saving over an oven is real and when it is not.
How much power an air fryer uses
An air fryer is a small convection oven: an element heats the air and a powerful fan circulates it at high speed around the food, browning it like frying. Because the cavity is small, it heats up quickly and barely needs preheating.
| Air fryer (example) | Capacity | Power | Maximum cost per hour (CLP 255.27/kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oster 401MDF | 4 litres | 1,300 W | CLP 332 |
| Oster CKSTAF40WDDF (digital) | 4 litres | 1,300 W | CLP 332 |
| 5 to 6-litre models | 5 to 6 litres | 1,500 to 1,700 W | CLP 383 to 434 |
| Dual or oven-style models | 8 to 12 litres | 1,700 to 2,400 W | CLP 434 to 613 |
The Oster ratings come from their product sheets at Easy and Paris. The maximum cost per hour assumes the element is always on; in practice, the thermostat cuts it once the air reaches the set temperature, as in an oven. In the Which? tests, the air fryer averaged about 0.75 kW while cooking chips.
Air fryer vs. oven: what each dish costs
Which? cooked the same dishes in an air fryer (Morphy Richards Health Fryer) and a built-in electric oven (Bosch Serie 2), measuring energy with preheating included. These are its results, converted into Chilean pesos:
| Dish | Air fryer | Electric oven | Energy saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roast chicken (1.3 to 1.4 kg) | 53 min, 0.54 kWh (CLP 138) | 76 min, 1.157 kWh (CLP 295) | 53% |
| Frozen chips (320 g) | 23 min, 0.287 kWh (CLP 73) | 33 min, 0.863 kWh (CLP 220) | 67% |
| Jacket potato (~200 g) | 48 min, 0.392 kWh (CLP 100) | 68 min, 1.084 kWh (CLP 277) | 64% |
| Sponge cake (smaller in the air fryer) | 33 min, 0.223 kWh (CLP 57) | 56 min, 0.71 kWh (CLP 181) | 69% |
The air fryer not only uses less: it also cooks faster, between 10 and 23 minutes less in these tests. There is a caveat on the cake: to fit the basket, Which? used a smaller cake in the air fryer, so that comparison favours the air fryer.
With electricity at CLP 255.27 per kWh, the saving per dish ranges from about CLP 120 to 180. Replacing the oven three times a week saves around CLP 2,000 a month. It is a real saving, but it does not transform the electricity bill.
What an air fryer adds to the monthly electricity bill
To estimate the monthly cost we use the average consumption measured by Which? for chips, about 0.75 kW. A 20-minute session thus uses about 0.25 kWh, around CLP 64:
| Air fryer use | 20-minute sessions a month | kWh a month | Cost per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| A few times a week | 12 | 3 | CLP 766 |
| Once a day | 30 | 7.5 | CLP 1,915 |
| Twice a day | 60 | 15 | CLP 3,829 |
| Family using it at every meal (3 a day) | 90 | 22.5 | CLP 5,744 |
For a home using about 180 kWh a month, using the air fryer once a day is roughly 4% of the bill. That is much less than a fridge, which uses 25 to 60 kWh a month depending on size and efficiency. How much each appliance weighs in the total is in how much electricity a home in Chile uses per month.
When an air fryer saves and when it doesn't
The air fryer's saving comes from heating a small space. That is an advantage with small portions and a drawback when the food does not fit in one go:
- Saves: chips, nuggets, empanadas, roasted vegetables and reheating food that should stay crispy, for one to three people.
- Saves: short dishes, where most of an oven's energy goes into preheating.
- Doesn't save: when you have to cook in three or four batches for a family; the oven does it all at once.
- Doesn't save: large roasts, lasagne or several trays of baking.
- Nor does it save compared with a microwave for reheating a plate that does not need to be crispy.
Compared with a microwave, the air fryer uses more to reheat, but leaves food crispy. Reheating a plate in the microwave costs about CLP 16, as we explained in how much a microwave uses. The comparison from the oven's side, with more detail on sizes and power ratings, is in how much an electric oven uses.
How to choose a low-consumption air fryer
- Capacity for your household: 3 to 4 litres for one or two people; 5 to 6 litres for a family of four. A bigger one than needed heats spare air.
- Power to match size: 1,300 W is usual for 4 litres; more power speeds up cooking but does not save.
- Easy-to-clean non-stick basket: built-up grease hampers airflow.
- Timer and automatic shut-off.
- Window or interior light: lets you check the food without opening the basket and losing heat.
Tips to spend less with an air fryer
- Don't overfill the basket: the air must circulate; otherwise you need more cooking time.
- Preheat only 2 or 3 minutes, or not at all if the recipe doesn't call for it.
- Cook back to back: consecutive batches use the stored heat.
- Shake the basket halfway so everything browns evenly without extending the time.
The price per kWh depends on the municipality and utility. To recalculate with your tariff, multiply the kWh in the tables by the price on your bill, or check electricity prices in Chile by municipality.
How to measure your own air fryer's consumption
The Which? measurements are for one air fryer and one oven, so your appliance may use somewhat more or less. The simplest way to find out is a plug-in energy meter, connected between the air fryer and the wall socket, which shows the kWh used. Cook a usual dish, note the kWh and multiply by the price per kWh on your bill.
Without a meter, you can estimate from the rating: the watts on the label, multiplied by hours of use and divided by 1,000, give the maximum kWh. A 1,300 W air fryer used for 20 minutes uses at most 1,300 × 0.33 ÷ 1,000 = 0.43 kWh, about CLP 110. Real use will be lower because the thermostat cuts the element; in the Which? test, the air fryer averaged a little more than half its rated power.
Oven-style air fryers of 10 to 12 litres, with a door and several racks, lose part of the advantage: they have more volume to heat and come close to the consumption of a small countertop oven. They make sense if they replace the oven for a family, not for a single portion.
Compared with traditional frying in a pot of oil, the air fryer saves mainly on oil: a spoonful or none at all instead of filling a pot. On energy, the comparison depends on the hob used to heat the oil, gas or electric, and how long it takes to reach temperature.
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See advertising optionsFrequently asked questions about air fryers
How much power does an air fryer use?
Its typical rating is 1,300 to 1,700 W, but real use is lower: about 0.25 kWh in a 20-minute session, around CLP 64 with electricity at CLP 255.27 per kWh.
Does an air fryer use less than an oven?
Yes, for small portions. In Which? tests, it used 53% to 69% less energy than an electric oven.
How much does it cost to make chips in an air fryer?
About CLP 73 for 320 g of frozen chips (0.287 kWh), against about CLP 220 in the oven.
Is an air fryer worth it for a large family?
It depends. If you have to cook in several batches, the saving over the oven shrinks or disappears. For families of four or more, a 5 to 6-litre or dual model is better.
