What a meal costs by appliance
| Appliance | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Microwave, 1,100 W | 6 minutes | 4c |
| Air fryer, 1,500 W | 20 minutes | 17c |
| Induction zone on medium, 1,200 W | 20 minutes | 13c |
| Electric oven, 2,400 W, with preheat | 40 minutes | 53c |
| Slow cooker on low, 180 W | 8 hours | 48c |
The slow cooker runs for hours but at such low power that a full day of cooking costs about the same as a short oven session. It suits stews, curries and soups that would otherwise take two hours in the oven.
Which appliance for which job
Microwave and air fryer
- Fast and cheap for one or two serves
- Little preheating
- Small capacity
Best for: Reheating, vegetables, small portions.
Slow cooker and rice cooker
- Very low power
- Set and forget
- Long cooking times
Best for: Stews, soups, rice and grains.
Oven and cooktop
- Large quantities
- Baking and roasting
- Highest power draw
- Heat lost to the kitchen
Best for: Family meals and batch cooking.
Cooking for less
Match the appliance to the meal
Do not heat a full oven for two potatoes.
Cook in batches
Fill the oven once and freeze the extras.
Put lids on pots
Water boils faster and simmers at a lower setting with the lid on.
Boil water in the kettle
A kettle heats water more efficiently than a pot on most cooktops. See our kettle running costs.
Price your own appliances
Our calculators for the oven, air fryer, microwave and slow cooker use your own wattage and hours.
Questions about cooking costs
For small meals and reheating, the microwave. For stews and soups, a slow cooker. For small portions that need crisping, an air fryer. The oven is the most expensive for small meals.
For small portions, usually. A 20-minute air fryer cook at 1,500 W costs about 17c on the Ausgrid reference rate, against about 53c for 40 minutes in a 2,400 W oven at full power.
No. Eight hours on low at about 180 W costs around 48c on the Ausgrid reference rate.
Induction puts more of its energy into the pan. Whether it costs less per meal depends on your electricity and gas prices, but cooking is a small share of most bills either way.
Usually yes. Cooking under pressure shortens cooking times a lot, so a multi-cooker often uses less energy than simmering on the cooktop or roasting in the oven.
Less than most people think. Heating, cooling, hot water and fridges use far more in most homes. Cooking choices matter, but they rarely change a bill as much as those.
Sources
Every rate on this page comes from the regulator or the regulated retailer. Last checked October 2026. Prices include GST unless we say otherwise.