HALF of Gen Z reckon the kitchen oven will become obsolete after switching to air fryers, according to a study.
A poll of 2,000 adults found 53 per cent of 18-24-year-olds predict the end is nigh for the kitchen centrepiece.
This view was shared by four in 10 people overall – suggesting the air fryer revolution is here to stay.
It emerged 48 per cent of all adults have cut their oven usage by half since 2022 in favour of an air-cooking appliance.
As a result, 23 per cent have noticed a decrease in their energy bills despite 63 per cent having no idea how much their air fryer costs to run.
Bill Bullen, founder and CEO at Utilita, which commissioned the research, said: “Who would have thought an energy supplier could instigate a consumer trend that could deem the oven – a kitchen staple since the 1930s – obsolete.
“Since 2003 our technology has been helping households to cut their energy waste by taking practical steps and tweaking behaviours.
“We will continue to invest in research that further educates households on the most efficient and, in turn, cheapest ways to cook.”
Based on the average oven use reduction (48 per cent), households save £31.55 a year by using an air fryer.
Across the 9.8 million households that have an air fryer, that’s an annual saving of £309 million, which would cover the cost of the annual heat bill for 450,000 households.
The carbon emissions avoided by using the oven 48 per cent less is 350,000 tonnes of CO2 each year – the same generated by driving a standard car 52,000 times around the Earth’s circumference – that’s 3.5 return trips from Earth to Mars.
The study also found the typical air fryer owner will spend an average of £110 on their new kitchen addition, with 53 per cent opting for a medium size model.
Before purchasing, 19 per cent had no idea what type of appliance they should choose.
However, after making their choice, 29 per cent plan to upgrade it to a bigger and better version.
When it comes to maintenance, 32 per cent regularly clean with confidence, but 34 per cent admit they are clueless when it comes to looking after their machine.
it also emerged 43 per cent often talk to their friends and family about cooking with an air fryer, with 35 per cent regularly recommending them to others, according to the OnePoll data.
While a quarter enjoy watching programmes about the rapid air oven, and 12 per cent of parents have even taught their children how to use it.
