Parents are spending the equivalent of a whole month each year cooking for their families, according to a new study. The research by Philips, the creators of the airfryer, and Currys found that 23% of parents spend between 30 minutes to an hour preparing the evening meal, while one in ten admit to spending over two hours at the stove.
This adds up to a staggering 730 hours a year spent on meal prep. The study also revealed that one in ten use as many as six items of cookware, with most using three pots, pans or trays.
(Image: Getty Images)
Half of the nation (52%) find planning meals a daily stress. These findings coincide with the launch of Philips’ first airfryer with a built-in steamer – the Philips 5000 Series Airfryer and Steamer. For many parents, the clean-up is a barrier to cooking, with 82% admitting to avoiding cooking due to the amount of washing up required.
The study also uncovered that equality is on the rise in the kitchen – though mums are still at the forefront of cooking in 40% of households, dads are hot on their heels, with a hefty 33% taking the reins at dinnertime. Yet, the chores tell a different story: women bear the brunt of washing up twice as often as men, with 50% versus 24%.
And it seems many parents are cutting corners to keep bellies full, with over half (51%) admitting to sacrificing taste and one in five turning to frozen meals eight times a week just to feed the family. When kitchen duty calls, convenience (39%) is king, followed by taste (32%), simplicity (14%) and affordability (13%).
Philips’ Senior Product Manager Sara Vaum sympathises with the struggle for balance, saying: “For many parents, when it comes to feeding the family, finding that balance between tasty, healthy and simple is not straightforward.”
She acknowledges the hard graft in the kitchen: “It means some mums and dads are spending up to a month a year in the kitchen, juggling multiple pots, pans, and a dose of often daily stress in order to keep their little ones fed.”
Eager to lend a hand, Vaum reveals Philips’ new kitchen marvel: “At Philips we want to help people achieve a better balance, which is why we’re proud to unveil our latest innovation – the Series 5000 Airfryer and Steamer. ” She highlights the gadget’s prowess and convenience: “By combining traditional Airfryer technology, with a unique steam fry function – a delicious and nutritious family meal is at your fingertips in a matter of minutes – without a mountain of washing up to confront afterwards.”