What is the estimated cost per air fryer use in South Africa?

At a rate of roughly R2.75 per kWh, a 0.5 kWh cycle costs about R1.40, compared to R4.10 for an oven cycle using 1.5 kWh.

How should I clean my air fryer?

Remove the basket after each use and wash with warm soapy water or place dishwasher-safe parts in the dishwasher if the manual allows. Wipe the interior gently with a soft cloth when cool.

What are energy-saving tips for using an air fryer?

Keep batches full but not crowded, group similar meals together, and avoid multiple short runs - one full load uses less energy than two half-loads.

Air fryer 101: Use, clean and save energy

Air fryer 101: what an air fryer does and why it’s useful

An air fryer is a compact countertop convection cooker that circulates hot air to crisp food with little or no oil. For many households, it’s a faster, lower-fat way to cook snacks, roast vegetables or reheat leftovers. We’ll use the phrase air-fryer 101 throughout this guide to keep things focused on practical steps you can use at home.

When to reach for the air fryer

Choose the air fryer when you need a quick single-batch meal, want a crisper finish than a microwave gives, or are reheating food without heating your whole kitchen. If you regularly cook large roasts or several trays at once, an oven can be more efficient for big batches.

Small portions or sides: quicker and often cheaper than preheating an oven.
Frozen snacks and chips: crisp finish with much less oil.
Reheating fried foods: retains texture better than a microwave.

For recipe ideas and friendly how-tos written for home cooks, see our Airfryers articles. If you’re still choosing a model, our Appliances collection shows different sizes and power ratings to compare.

Basic use: simple steps to get started

We recommend these simple rules when you first use an air fryer: read the manual, place the unit on a heat-resistant countertop, and avoid crowding the basket so air can circulate. Preheat only when the recipe asks for it-many recipes work well without preheating, saving time and energy.

Set temperature per recipe (typical range 160-200°C) and check food early to avoid overcooking.
Shake or turn items halfway through to brown evenly.
Use a light spray of oil for a crisp finish rather than deep frying.

Tip: smaller models heat quicker but hold less food. If you cook for 3-4 people often, a 5-6 litre basket reduces the need for multiple batches.

Quick safety checklist

Keep vents clear and don’t block the back of the unit.
Avoid aerosol sprays directly into the basket; use pump sprays or brush oil.
Unplug after use and allow the basket to cool before washing.

Energy use basics: how much electricity does an air fryer use?

Air fryers typically draw between about 800 W and 2 000 W while running; a common range for a household unit is 1 200 W-1 500 W. Because many recipes cook in 10-25 minutes, the total energy per cycle is often under 0.6 kWh, which can make the air fryer more efficient than a large oven for single batches. These differences depend on model power and how many batches you run.

Appliance	Typical power	Example run (mins)	Approx kWh per cycle
Air fryer (1 500 W)	1.5 kW	20	0.5 kWh
Electric oven (2 000 W avg cavity loss)	2.0 kW+	45	1.5 kWh+

Estimating cost at home

To turn kWh into a cost you pay, multiply by your local electricity rate. South African household tariffs vary, but recent approved adjustments mean many households now see higher per-kWh charges. For a rough example, if you pay about R2.75 per kWh, a 0.5 kWh air-fryer cycle costs roughly R1.40. By comparison a 1.5 kWh oven cycle would be about R4.10. These figures are illustrative-your actual rate may differ.

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Cleaning and upkeep: keep the unit working well

Regular cleaning keeps cooking consistent and helps reduce smoke or lingering smells. After each use, remove the basket and wash the pan with warm soapy water or pop dishwasher-safe parts into the dishwasher if the manual permits. For a full clean, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your model-they often show how to remove and clean the heating chamber safely.

A simple cleaning routine

Wipe the interior and heating element gently with a soft cloth when cool.
Soak stubborn bits in warm soapy water before scrubbing with a non-abrasive sponge.
Check seals and the basket coating-replace parts if they show wear.

Energy-saving habits for everyday use

We can reduce costs with small behaviour changes. Keep batches full but not crowded, group similar meals together, and avoid repeated short runs (two half-loads use more energy than one full load). Also consider cooking a bit earlier on weekends or when your household has lower-rate electricity, if your tariff offers off-peak options. For tools and accessories that help with everyday cooking, see Cooking Utensils & Tools. Cooking Utensils & Tools

Practical examples that save energy

Make a family portion at once in a larger basket rather than two half-loads on different nights.
Use the air fryer for smaller side dishes while the oven handles the roast-this avoids multiple oven preheats.
When possible, use residual heat by switching off a minute or two early and letting carryover cooking finish the job.

When the oven still makes sense

If you need to cook large trays or several dishes at once, the oven usually wins for energy per kilogram of food. The best approach is practical: match appliance to task and avoid multiple short cycles across appliances. Recent appliance research shows air fryers can be significantly more efficient for small, quick items; watch how often you run extra batches to keep savings real.

Final checks and where to learn more

We suggest trying one or two recipes on a low setting to learn timing, cleaning after each use to protect the finish, and tracking a few weeks of usage to see real savings. For recipe and product inspiration, explore our Appliances and related guides in Home & Kitchen categories on Bash.

Sources

We hope this air-fryer 101 guide helps you get the most from your appliance-cleaner cooking, less waste and clearer choices for your kitchen and countertop. If you’d like product picks or recipe ideas next, we can point you to model comparisons or quick midweek recipes.

Air fryer 101 - how to use, clean and save energy at home

When to use an air fryer

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Why Choose Bash?

Free Delivery

30-Day Returns

Nationwide Support

Simple cleaning routine

How to save energy

Air fryer 101: what an air fryer does and why it’s useful

When to reach for the air fryer

Basic use: simple steps to get started

Quick safety checklist

Energy use basics: how much electricity does an air fryer use?

Estimating cost at home

Cleaning and upkeep: keep the unit working well

A simple cleaning routine

Energy-saving habits for everyday use

Practical examples that save energy

When the oven still makes sense

Final checks and where to learn more

Sources

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