As Brits continue to combat the current cost of living crisis, air fryers have been hailed as a cheaper cooking alternative to a classic oven - but it may have some competition as shoppers are flocking to get a new cheaper appliance.
The countertop convection cooker is designed to stimulate deep frying without the use of oil, which also makes it a healthy cooking method. But their explosion in popularity has caused them to quickly sell out.
With air fryers flying off the shelves, shoppers are now reaching for halogen ovens, which they are calling an "amazing" alternative and cost a fraction of the price. Argos are currently selling for one at £56 and it has hundred of positive reviews, with one woman describing it as the "best buy ever", reports Chronicle Live.
She said: "Had a few halogen ovens in the past. This one beats them all. It’s digital, the lead can be removed from the lid, works brilliantly and saves lots of fuel as you are only heating up a small area instead of a large oven.
"You don’t need to spend hundreds on an air fryer, when you can buy this. Best buy ever."
While air fryers range in price, they can sell for as high as £200. Of course, this will vary depending on the size and brand.
But what is a halogen oven and how does it compare to its air fryer competitor? Here's what you should know.
What is a halogen oven?
A halogen oven consists of a glass bowl with a lid that contains a fan and halogen bulbs.
When switched on, beams of infrared radiation are released from the halogen bulbs to produce heat. The fan circulates hot air over and around the food to cook.
Research has found that the cost to run an air fryer is cheaper compared to a standard oven and microwave, averaging at about 5 pence an hour.
Halogen ovens generally cost slightly more to operate at 18 pence an hour, as they use 1.2Kw of energy, according to Best Halogen Heaters. But this is still a huge leap compared to a gas or electric oven which will cost you £1.20 an hour to run.
Findings by Utilita in August 2022 revealed that the annual savings of using an air fryer could be up to £279.66 per year. Air fryers on average were found to run at £55.91 per year, versus gas cookers at £121.06 per year and electric cookers at £335.57 per year.
Like air fryers, halogen ovens are a healthy cooking appliance as they are designed to drain excess fats in cooking.
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