Best Energy-Saving Kitchen Gadgets 2025: Cheap Air Fryers, Slow Cookers & recipes
Looking to cook smarter, reduce your energy bills, and make meals easier? This year, the kitchen is getting a major energy-saving upgrade. Smaller, smarter appliances are stepping in to replace the energy-hungry oven and hob for many everyday meals, meaning you can cook great food while being kinder to both the planet and your wallet.
In this blog, we’ll cover:
- Why energy-efficient kitchen gadgets matter
- How to spot the right ones
- Top picks for 2025: budget air fryers, slow cookers, and more
- Extra tips to maximise savings
Why Energy-Efficient Kitchen Gadgets Matter
Using specialized cookers rather than a full-sized electric oven makes a big difference. For example:
- A typical countertop cooker such as a slow cooker or air fryer uses significantly less energy because it heats a smaller space and often uses less power.
- One study showed using an air fryer for 150 hours a year cost around £29.40, while a conventional electric oven cost £91.20 in the same time.
- Another source says using a microwave, slow cooker, air fryer, or toaster oven instead of the main oven can reduce energy used for cooking by as much as 75%.
So if you’re cooking for a small household, doing everyday meals, or reheating, these energy-efficient gadgets can make a real difference.
How to Choose Energy-Saving Kitchen Gadgets
Here are some quick criteria to look for when choosing your gadget:
1. Size & Capacity Suitable for Your Needs-If you live alone or as a couple, a smaller air fryer or slow cooker is better for energy efficiency than a huge one you only half-fill.
2. Lower Wattage / Efficient Heating-Though it varies by model, gadgets that reach cooking temperature quickly and use less standby power will save more.
3. Functional Features That Replace Larger Appliances-Look for devices that can do multiple tasks (e.g., air frying, roasting, baking, slow-cooking) so you reduce reliance on full ovens.
4. Smart or Eco Modes (If Within Budget)-Many 2025 models come with eco-modes, timers, or even connectivity allowing you to monitor usage.
5. Good User Habits-Even the most efficient gadget will perform poorly if you don’t use it wisely: avoiding preheating unnecessarily, batch-cooking, matching size to food volume, etc.
Top Affordable Energy-Saving Kitchen Gadgets for 2025
Here are our recommended picks: budget-friendly, efficient, and highly rated
Philips 1000 Series NA130/09 Air Fryer
- Price: £79.99
- Capacity: 6.2L
- Features: 12 preset functions, dishwasher-safe parts, digital display
- Why It Stands Out: Rapid Air Technology ensures food is crispy outside and tender inside, making it ideal for quick, energy-efficient cooking.
Tower Vortx 7.2L Digital Air Fryer
- Price: £70.00
- Capacity: 7.2L
- Features: 11 cooking presets, rapid air circulation
- Why It Stands Out: Large capacity suitable for batch cooking, reducing the need for multiple cooking sessions.
Vencier 2.8L Air Fryer
- Price: £27.99
- Capacity: 2.8L
- Features: LED touchscreen, dishwasher-safe basket
- Why It Stands Out: Budget-friendly option without compromising on essential features.
Air Fryer Recipes
Recipes from UK Supermarkets
Aldi’s Classic Christmas Pudding
- 150g raisins
- 100g currants
- 50g chopped almonds
- 100ml brandy
- 100g dark brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 100g suet or butter
Soak fruit overnight in brandy, mix all ingredients, steam for 4 hours. Serve with custard or cream.
See more Aldi Christmas Recipes →Lidl’s Honey Roast Parsnips
- 500g parsnips
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt & pepper to taste
Roast parsnips in oil for 25 mins, drizzle with honey, roast 10 more mins until golden.
See more Lidl Christmas Recipes →Tesco’s Turkey with Cranberry Gravy
- 1 turkey (approx. 4kg)
- 1 onion, quartered
- Fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary)
- 250ml cranberry juice
- 2 tbsp plain flour
Roast turkey as usual, deglaze pan with cranberry juice and flour for rich gravy.
See more Tesco Christmas Recipes →
Crock-Pot CSC080 Slow Cooker
- Price: £15.00
- Capacity: 1.8L
- Features: High, low, and keep-warm settings
- Why It Stands Out: Ideal for small households, energy-efficient cooking for stews and soups.
Salter Kuro 6.5L Slow Cooker
- Price: £37.99
- Capacity: 6.5L
- Features: 3 heat settings, dishwasher-safe ceramic pot
- Why It Stands Out: Larger capacity suitable for families, with a sleek design.
Cookworks 1.5L Slow Cooker
- Price:£18.00
- Capacity: 1.5L
- Features: 3 heat settings, keep-warm function
- Why It Stands Out: Ultra-compact and budget-friendly, perfect for singles or couples.
Slow cooker recipes
Recipes from UK Supermarkets
Aldi’s Classic Christmas Pudding
- 150g raisins
- 100g currants
- 50g chopped almonds
- 100ml brandy
- 100g dark brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 100g suet or butter
Soak fruit overnight in brandy, mix all ingredients, steam for 4 hours. Serve with custard or cream.
See more Aldi Christmas Recipes →Lidl’s Honey Roast Parsnips
- 500g parsnips
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt & pepper to taste
Roast parsnips in oil for 25 mins, drizzle with honey, roast 10 more mins until golden.
See more Lidl Christmas Recipes →Tesco’s Turkey with Cranberry Gravy
- 1 turkey (approx. 4kg)
- 1 onion, quartered
- Fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary)
- 250ml cranberry juice
- 2 tbsp plain flour
Roast turkey as usual, deglaze pan with cranberry juice and flour for rich gravy.
See more Tesco Christmas Recipes →
Extra Tips to maximize Your Energy Savings
Here are additional ways to squeeze more benefit from your gadgets:
- Batch Cook Meals: Cook multiple items together where possible so you’re making full use of the gadget while it’s hot.
- Avoid Unnecessary Preheating: Many gadgets don’t need long pre-heat time so you save energy by skipping or reducing it.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket/Pot: Over-filling slows cooking and decreases efficiency.
- Use the Right Size: If your appliance is much larger than the food you're cooking, you’re heating more space than necessary.
- Clean and Maintain Regularly: A clean appliance works more efficiently.
- Switch Off Standby Power: Unplug or switch off when not in use, especially if it has a display/light or clock.
- Only Use the Oven When Necessary: The main oven is still useful for large roasts or multiple dishes, but for daily meals you’ll often do better with one of the above.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to make your kitchen more energy-efficient in 2025, then investing in the right gadgets makes sense. An air fryer or a slow cooker will not only shrink your energy bills but also speed up meal prep, reduce waste, and make everyday cooking easier.
- Start with one gadget that suits your lifestyle (single, couple, family) and budget.
- Use it for the meals it’s best at (fast “fryer-style” meals or slow braises/stews).
- Pair it with smart habits (batch cooking, avoiding big oven sessions) and you’ll see meaningful savings.
CHECK OUT THE BLOG ON CHRISTMAS FOOD SHOP SAVINGS HERE



