Air fryers look power-hungry because the wattage on the box is high, often 1,200 to 1,800 W. But they cook for short periods and heat a small space, so the cost per use is modest. Here’s how to work it out for your own machine and your own tariff, with the assumptions spelled out.
The basic formula
Electricity is billed in units, and one unit is one kilowatt-hour (kWh): 1,000 watts running for one hour.
Units used = (wattage ÷ 1,000) × hours of use
Cost = units × your rate per unit
Find the wattage on the rating plate, usually a sticker on the back or underneath the machine. Your rate per unit is on your electricity bill.
Worked example
Assumptions: a 1,500 W air fryer, a 15-minute cooking session, and a tariff of ₹7–9 per unit.
- 1,500 W ÷ 1,000 = 1.5 kW
- 15 minutes = 0.25 hours
- 1.5 × 0.25 = 0.375 units
- 0.375 × ₹7 = ₹2.63; 0.375 × ₹9 = ₹3.38
So the maximum cost of that session is about ₹2.60–3.40.
Why real use is lower than the rated wattage
The rated wattage is what the air fryer draws when the heating element is fully on. That happens during preheating and the first few minutes of cooking. Once the cavity reaches the temperature you set, a thermostat switches the element off, then back on when the temperature dips. The fan keeps running, but it uses only a small fraction of the power.
How much of the time the element is on depends on the model, the set temperature, how much food is in the basket, and how often you open the drawer. As a purely illustrative assumption, if the element is on for about two-thirds of a 15-minute session, real use would be around 0.25 units, or roughly ₹1.75–2.25. Treat the full-wattage figure as your upper limit.
Cost table at full rated power
These figures assume the element is on the whole time, so they are the most you would pay. Real costs are usually lower.
| Wattage | Cooking time | Units (max) | Cost at ₹7/unit | Cost at ₹9/unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,200 W | 10 min | 0.20 | ₹1.40 | ₹1.80 |
| 1,500 W | 15 min | 0.38 | ₹2.60 | ₹3.40 |
| 1,500 W | 20 min | 0.50 | ₹3.50 | ₹4.50 |
| 1,700 W | 25 min | 0.71 | ₹5.00 | ₹6.40 |
| 2,000 W | 20 min | 0.67 | ₹4.70 | ₹6.00 |
What it adds to your monthly bill
Say you use a 1,500 W air fryer for 20 minutes a day:
- Maximum: 0.5 units × 30 days = 15 units a month, or about ₹105–135.
- With the element cycling (using our two-thirds assumption): about 10 units a month, or roughly ₹70–90.
Two caveats. First, most Indian states bill domestic power in slabs, so extra units are charged at the rate of whichever slab you fall into. If your usage is near the top of a slab, the extra units may cost more than your average rate. Second, tariffs, fixed charges and taxes vary by state and change from time to time, so check your own bill rather than relying on a national average.
Air fryer vs OTG vs microwave vs gas
Comparing appliances is harder than it looks, because the cost depends on the food and the quantity. Some general points:
- OTG: usually a similar or higher wattage, a larger cavity and a longer preheat, often around 10 minutes. For a small plate of snacks, an air fryer typically uses less power. For a large tray of vegetables or a full-size cake, an OTG cooks more at once. Our air fryer vs OTG vs microwave guide compares them in more detail.
- Microwave: often the cheapest way to reheat dal, sabzi or rice, because it runs for only a minute or two. It won’t crisp food, though.
- LPG: cost depends on your cylinder price, which varies by city and over time. Many homes use the air fryer for snacks and roasting, and keep everyday cooking on the gas stove. If cutting gas use is your goal, see our tips on how to reduce LPG consumption.
Remember that an air fryer also replaces deep frying for many snacks, which saves a fair amount of cooking oil. That saving is separate from the electricity cost.
How to measure your own usage
If you want real numbers rather than estimates, a plug-in energy meter or a smart plug with energy monitoring shows exactly how many units a session uses. Make sure any such plug is rated for the air fryer’s current draw; a high-wattage appliance needs a plug and socket that can handle it. Run a normal session, read the units, and multiply by your tariff.
Tips to keep the cost down
- Keep preheats short. Two to three minutes is enough for crisp snacks, and many dishes need none.
- Cook full single layers. Use the space you have, but don’t overcrowd, or you’ll need extra time.
- Don’t keep opening the drawer. Each check lets heat out. Shake once at the halfway mark.
- Cook back-to-back batches. The second batch starts in a hot machine and finishes faster.
- Keep it clean. Grease on the element and fan guard affects performance and causes smoke. See how to clean an air fryer basket.
- Switch off at the wall after use to cut standby draw on digital models.
Bottom line
Work it out as wattage ÷ 1,000 × hours × your rate per unit. For a typical 1,500 W model, a 15-minute session costs at most around ₹2.60–3.40 at ₹7–9 per unit, and usually less because the element cycles. For most families that adds only a modest amount to the monthly bill, especially when the air fryer replaces a longer OTG session or a kadhai of oil.
Frequently asked questions
How many units does an air fryer use in one hour?
At most its rated wattage divided by 1,000. A 1,500 W air fryer uses up to 1.5 units in a full hour. In practice it uses less, because the heating element switches off and on once the set temperature is reached.
How much does one air fryer session cost in India?
A 15-minute session on a 1,500 W model uses up to about 0.4 units. At ₹7 to ₹9 per unit that is roughly ₹2.60 to ₹3.40 at the very most, and usually less.
Is an air fryer cheaper to run than an OTG?
For small batches it usually is, because it heats a smaller space and needs a shorter preheat. For a large tray of food or a big cake, an OTG can make more sense since it cooks more in one go.
Does an air fryer use electricity when it is switched off at the dial?
Digital models may draw a very small standby current while plugged in. Switching off at the wall socket after use removes it and is a sensible safety habit anyway.
