People are swapping their air fryers after discovering a better and cheaper alternative.
Not too long ago, air fryers became a bit of an obsession, promising a cheaper and healthier way to cook food.
For lots of people, they became a popular choice for enjoying fried foods without all the extra calories and fat.
Money-saving expert Martin Lewis was a big advocate for them, often promoting air fryers in his newsletters and podcasts as a way to cut down on energy costs. In one example, he pointed out that making a Sunday roast will 'cost you 68p in an air fryer' compared to '£3.78 in an oven.'
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But now, the trend is slowing down as others are turning to a cheaper alternative - the halogen oven.
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A halogen oven is a compact device that uses a lightbulb to heat food inside a glass bowl.
The bowl is encased with a basket to keep you from burning yourself while cooking and the bulb itself cycles on and off to maintain a steady temperature. It might also flash on and off to keep the temperature maintained at the desired level.
These gadgets can reach temperatures ranging from 60°C to 240°C (140°F to 464°F), making them suitable to cook a range of dishes.
Turns out, halogen ovens can work out cheaper than air fryers.
Some popular air fryer models are quite affordable however, the pricier, higher-end models could undermine their reputation as a budget item.
Many people have taken to social media to share their thoughts, with plenty claiming that halogen ovens are the top choice for budget-friendly cooking.
“I treated myself to a halogen oven to help with Christmas; I only have one shelf in my oven," one user wrote. “It is one million times better than the rubbish air fryer I got in the summer.”
Another fan praised the device, saying: “Halogen oven is better, healthier and cheaper than air fryer.”
One X user went as far as to call the halogen oven the 'original air fryer,' suggesting it might be more than just a passing trend.
According to new research by energy supplier Utilita, households solely relying on oven cooking could save up to £426 per year by switching to 'more energy-efficient cooking methods.
That said, not everyone is quick to jump to counter-top gadgets to cook their meals (that could be listening in on us) and instead stick to the oven already installed in their home.