Aldi is selling a handy kitchen gadget that costs just 8p to run – it’s not an airfryer but cooks delicious winter meals
ALDI is selling a handy kitchen gadget that costs just 8p to run and cooks delicious winter meals.
The budget supermarket’s Ambiano Slow Cooker, available for £24.99, is a cheaper alternative to airfryers – and won’t require too much energy.
It has three different heat settings, depending on what you’re cooking and how long you want to cook it for, and numerous safety features including a tempered glass life and cool touch handles.
It is also easy to wash up – with a removable non-stick ceramic cooking pot.
And, it has a three-year warranty in case anything goes wrong.
You can simply turn the 6.5- litre machine on in the morning and return home to a slow-cooked meal.
It is available on the Lidl website and in stores across the country.
How much does it cost to run?
At 320W, the Ambiano Slow Cooker costs about 8p to run for 60 minutes based on the current price cap.
So if you use it three times a week for one hour each time, you will spend just £12.48 over the course of a year.
This is cheaper than the average airfryer, which costs around 51p per hour due to higher wattage.
However, bear in mind that you are less likely to run an airfryer for long periods of time.
Both options are cheaper than an oven – which costs between 45p and £1.50 to run per hour depending on the wattage and your electricity rate.
Many households may be thinking about ways to limit their energy bills this winter, after prices rose by 10% last month and are set to climb again in January.
Bills increased for millions of households in October after the energy regulator Ofgem increased the maximum price suppliers can charge consumers for energy.
The energy regulator Ofgem confirmed the new price cap yesterday, which comes into effect on January 1, 2025.
The average dual fuel bill for those not on a fixed deal will rise from its current rate of £1,717 a year to £1,738.
As more households feel the pinch, investing in an efficient cooker could be a great way to cut their energy use and save precious pounds.
How does it compare?
The Ambiano Slow Cooker is cheaper than the Cookworks Slow Cooker of the same size, sold at Sainsbury’s fpr £33.
The two have the same wattage and are therefore about the same price to run.
It is also cheaper than the Morphy Richards Sear & Stew version sold in Tesco – which is a steeper £69.99.
However, at 163 W, this is cheaper to run – at only 4p per hour.
Aldi’s version is slightly more expensive than the Daewoo Stainless Steel Slow Cooker – currently on sale at Asda for £23.
However, at 300 W, the Asda one is more expensive to run – at about 7p per hour.
What energy bill help is available?
There's a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don’t think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill.
Some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.
How to save money at Aldi
Unlike other major grocers, Aldi does not have a rewards or point card system but that does not mean you cannot save on your shop.
Every week the store releases a list of special buys, which are unique bargain products you find online at Aldi and in-store.
The store releases a fresh range of deals every Thursday and Sunday, so be sure to check regularly to see what’s new.
Meanwhile, the store also regularly sells fruit and vegetables at highly discounted prices, as part of its ‘super six’ deal.
It also does weekly saving offers on typically pricey items such as meat and fish.
How to bag a bargain
SUN Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to find a cut-price item and bag a bargain…
Sign up to loyalty schemes of the brands that you regularly shop with.
Big names regularly offer discounts or special lower prices for members, among other perks.
Sales are when you can pick up a real steal.
Retailers usually have periodic promotions that tie into payday at the end of the month or Bank Holiday weekends, so keep a lookout and shop when these deals are on.
Sign up to mailing lists and you’ll also be first to know of special offers. It can be worth following retailers on social media too.
When buying online, always do a search for money off codes or vouchers that you can use vouchercodes.co.uk and myvouchercodes.co.uk are just two sites that round up promotions by retailer.
Scanner apps are useful to have on your phone. Trolley.co.uk app has a scanner that you can use to compare prices on branded items when out shopping.
Bargain hunters can also use B&M’s scanner in the app to find discounts in-store before staff have marked them out.
And always check if you can get cashback before paying which in effect means you’ll get some of your money back or a discount on the item.