Punters are ranting and raving over a newly-found alternative to air fryers. which can be in some cases bought for a mere fraction of the price.
Thousands of UK residents have recently ditched their ovens in a last ditch effort to save money - as the cost of living crisis batters the shores of the nation. In recent months, people have sworn by air fryers to reduce energy expenditure, which is one of the big areas to rise.
These are small cooking appliances to simulate deep frying food by using nothing but hot air, which means you don't have to splash out on gas or expensive oil. It's also much healthier than using a deep fat fryer.
The Liverpool Echo reports that a 2015 study found that due to using less oil than conventional deep fat fryers, air fryers offer a lower fat cooking method when making food such as chips. But as shoppers started to realise how much they could save on their bills, many of the appliances are now out of stock with huge waiting lists.
Shoppers are now swearing by halogen ovens as an 'amazing' alternative to the air fryer, and at a fraction of the price. One selling at Argos for £56 has hundreds of reviews, with one woman saying it's the 'best buy ever'.
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."
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 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.
Despite the difference, it is worth noting that halogen ovens are still around 75% cheaper to run than the standard electric oven, meaning you are still saving some pennies.
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