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Kitchen

Air Fryer Running Costs in Australia and the Oven Comparison

What it costs to cook in an air fryer on 2026-27 electricity prices, and when it is cheaper than turning on the oven.

Checked against regulator sources, October 2026

Typical draw
1,500 W
Standard air fryer
Usage assumed
156 kWh
a year
NSW cost
$52
a year, Ausgrid
Cost an hour
50c
NSW reference rate
watts
hrs
days

Use decimals for short times. 15 minutes is 0.25 hours.

State or territory

Air fryer: cost a year

$52

49.7c an hour14.2c a day99.4c a week$4.32 a month
Energy usedper year156 kWh
Electricity priceAusgrid, flat rate33.14c
Share of a typical homeagainst 4,000 kWh a year4%
Cost a year, GST included$51.84

Appliances on a thermostat cycle on and off, so real use is often lower than the full power draw.

Prices are 2026-27 regulated rates including GST. Market offers can be cheaper. Estimates only.

What an air fryer costs to run in each state

The table assumes a 1,500 W air fryer used for half an hour, four days a week.

Air fryer: standard air fryer, 1,500 w, 30 minutes a day, 4 days a week
StateRateA monthA year
TasmaniaAurora Energy24.75c$3.23$39
QueenslandEnergex27.97c$3.65$44
Victoriaaverage of five networks28.2c$3.68$44
Northern TerritoryJacana Energy31.68c$4.13$50
New South WalesAusgrid33.14c$4.32$52
Western AustraliaSynergy33.26c$4.34$52
Australian Capital TerritoryEvoenergy network36.95c$4.82$58
South AustraliaSA Power Networks41.91c$5.46$66
Flat regulated usage rate for each state's main network in 2026-27, including GST. Victoria uses the average of its five networks.

Running costs by air fryer size

Running costs by type, 30 minutes a day, 4 days a week
TypePowerCost an hourA year
Small air fryer, 1,200 W1,200 W40c$41
Standard air fryer, 1,500 W1,500 W50c$52
Large or dual-basket, 2,000 W2,000 W66c$69
Priced at the Ausgrid reference rate of 33.14c/kWh. Use the calculator for your own state and hours.

Air fryer or oven?

Cooking a small meal: cost at the Ausgrid reference rate
ApplianceTimeCost
Air fryer, 1,500 W20 minutes17c
Electric oven, 2,400 W, with preheat35 minutes46c
Full power for the whole time. Both appliances cycle on their thermostats, so real costs are lower.

For a couple of serves of vegetables or a few pieces of chicken, the air fryer comes out ahead because it warms up in minutes and heats a much smaller space. For a family roast or several trays, the oven is often more practical, and the cost per serve evens out. Our cheapest way to cook guide compares every method.

Getting the most out of an air fryer

  1. Do not overfill the basket

    Air needs to circulate. An overfilled basket cooks unevenly and takes longer.

  2. Skip long preheats

    Most air fryers reach temperature in a few minutes, and many foods do not need a preheat at all.

  3. Cook in sequence

    Cooking batches back to back uses the heat already in the basket.

It will not change your bill much either way

Swapping some oven meals for the air fryer saves a little, but cooking is a small share of most bills. Look at heating, cooling and hot water first for real savings.

Questions about air fryer running costs

About 50c an hour for a 1,500 W air fryer on full power at the Ausgrid reference rate. A 2,000 W model costs about 66c.

For small portions, usually yes. It heats up quickly and cooks a small space. For large meals that need several trays, an oven can be more practical and the cost per serve similar.

Most are rated between about 1,200 W and 2,000 W. Dual-basket and oven-style air fryers sit at the top of that range.

Not over a year. Half an hour four times a week uses about 156 kWh, roughly $52 on the Ausgrid reference rate.

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.