How Much Electricity Does a Toastie Maker Use?

By toastiemaker.com · Updated 16 Oct 2026

A typical 750W toastie maker uses roughly 0.05–0.09 kWh to preheat and cook one toastie, which works out at about 1.5–2.5p at an electricity rate of around 26p per kWh. That makes it one of the cheapest ways to cook a hot lunch — far cheaper than heating an electric oven, and usually cheaper than an air fryer or overhead grill.

The rate we've used

All figures on this page use 26.3p per kWh, the average electricity unit rate under Ofgem's price cap for 1 October to 31 December 2026 for a standard variable tariff paid by Direct Debit in England, Scotland and Wales. Your own rate may be higher or lower depending on your region, tariff and payment method, and the cap changes every quarter.

To use your own tariff, find the unit rate (pence per kWh) on your bill or app and replace 26.3 in the formula below. The standing charge is paid regardless of what you cook, so it's not included.

How to work it out yourself

The formula is simple:

Cost (p) = power (kW) × time on (hours) × unit rate (p/kWh)

So a 750W (0.75kW) toastie maker switched on for 7 minutes (7 ÷ 60 = 0.117 hours) uses at most 0.75 × 0.117 = 0.0875 kWh. At 26.3p, that's 0.0875 × 26.3 = 2.3p.

That's a worst case, because it assumes the heating element runs flat out the whole time. In practice the thermostat switches the element off and on once the plates reach temperature, so the real figure for the cooking phase is usually lower. Treat the rated wattage as a ceiling, not a constant.

Cost per toastie by machine

Wattages are typical figures for each type; check the rating plate or manual for your model. Real-world use will usually be below these maximums because of thermostat cycling.

Toastie maker vs oven, air fryer, grill and hob

Here's how other ways of making one toastie compare, using the same 26.3p/kWh electricity rate and, for gas, the Ofgem cap average of about 8p/kWh for the same period. These are maximum-power estimates for illustration; actual use varies with appliance, thermostat and how long you preheat.

The pattern is clear: small appliances that heat only the sandwich beat anything that heats a large empty box. A gas hob is cheap per kWh but you have to stand over the pan; the toastie maker wins on cost and effort combined. Methods are covered in frying pan toastie, air fryer toastie and oven toastie, and compared in toastie maker vs air fryer.

Yearly running cost

Even heavy use barely registers on a bill. At about 2p per toastie:

• 3 toasties a week: roughly £3 a year.
• One a day: roughly £7–£8 a year.
• Family of four, one each daily on a 4-slice machine: roughly £20–£30 a year.

The purchase price matters far more than electricity. For the full value argument, see are toastie makers worth it?

Six ways to use even less

1. Don't over-preheat. Load the toastie as soon as the ready light comes on; leaving it heating empty wastes energy and isn't good for the coating.
2. Cook back to back. Have the second sandwich assembled before the first is done; the plates are already hot.
3. Close the lid while preheating. An open lid loses heat into the kitchen.
4. Unplug when done. Most toastie makers have no off switch and stay hot while plugged in.
5. Pick the right size. A 4-slice machine heats more metal; if you usually make one toastie, 2-slice is more efficient.
6. Take the chill off fillings. Very cold, very thick fillings straight from the fridge lengthen cooking time. Let them sit out a few minutes, or see how long to cook a toastie for timing by filling.

Does wattage matter when buying?

Not much for running costs. A 900W machine draws more power but often reaches temperature faster, so the total energy per toastie is similar to a 750W model. Choose on build quality, fill depth and cleaning instead — our toastie maker buying guide explains what matters, and the best toastie makers in the UK lists the top picks. If you're comparing a microwave model, see microwave vs electric toastie maker.