Bread maker vs. electric oven: running cost
A bread maker is cheaper to run: about $4 a year versus $45 for an electric oven at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $41 difference.
| Bread maker | Electric oven | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 600 W | 3,000 W |
| Watt range | 450–850 W | 2,000–5,000 W |
| Typical use | 1 loaf a week | 3 hour of bakings a week |
| Energy per year | 21 kWh | 250 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 7.2¢ | 29¢ |
| Cost per day | 1.0¢ | 12¢ |
| Cost per month | $0.31 | $3.75 |
| Cost per year | $4 | $45 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $9 | $109 |
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What drives the difference
- Bread maker: Bread makers draw 450-850 W when baking but only 20-100 W while kneading and rising; a full 3-hour cycle uses about 0.3-0.5 kWh, less than preheating and baking in a full oven.
- Electric oven: A standard 30-inch electric oven has a 2.5-3.5 kW bake element. One hour at 350°F, including about 15 minutes of preheat, uses roughly 1.5-2 kWh as the element cycles.
Ways to cut either cost
Lets you skip keep-warm and adjust cycles to the recipe.
See options on AmazonHeats a much smaller space with 1,200-1,800 W and needs little or no preheat, using roughly half the energy for small batches.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, a bread maker or an electric oven?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), an electric oven costs about $45 a year versus $4 for a bread maker. That's $41 more, or 12.0× as much.
How many watts do bread maker and electric oven use?
A bread maker typically draws 600 W (range 450–850 W). An electric oven draws 3,000 W (range 2,000–5,000 W). Watts alone don't decide cost. Hours of use, cycling and standby matter just as much.
Rates: EIA, 12 months ending 2026-07. Methodology.