To cook two parts of a meal at the same time, look at models with two cooking zones and check the settings available for each. If you mainly cook one food at a time, a single basket may suit you, as long as you’re happy to cook in batches. If the shape of a dish matters more, compare the usable dimensions and accessories of a mini-oven-style model. In every case, the stated capacity in litres alone won’t tell you what will fit inside.
If a side dish and another food need different settings, two drawers can let you cook them at the same time, according to Que Choisir. Check the space available for each portion and how the drawers are arranged.
The quantity and shape of the food you cook matter just as much as the stated capacity. Compare the space in a drawer with the cooking cavity and accessories of mini-oven-style models, then measure how much room the appliance will take up.
In an open-plan or compact kitchen, check which parts need washing and how much space you’ll need to store the appliance. Que Choisir’s testing protocol assesses these aspects and measures noise at 0.50 m.
Start with the meals you cook most often: two foods that need separate settings, a large portion of one food, or a dish whose shape calls for a suitable cooking cavity. Que Choisir also highlights cleaning, storage and noise as practical factors to consider.
| Priority | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking two foods at once | Separate settings for each zone and the usable dimensions of each drawer; synchronisation, if advertised. | If the two parts of my meal need different settings, I want to cook them together. Around 31% of consumers would prioritise this way of cooking above all else. |
| Room for your food | Usable width, depth and height of the cavity or each drawer, as well as the dimensions of the accessories. | For a large portion or a wide dish, I need to know whether its shape will actually fit in the appliance. Around 31% of consumers would make usable space their top priority. |
| Everyday use | How easy it is to reach the parts that need cleaning, storage dimensions and noise levels for the exact model, where a test is available. | In an open-plan kitchen or one with limited storage, I want to keep the post-cooking chores to a minimum. Around 23% of consumers would put cleaning, noise or storage at the heart of their choice. |
| Cooking in batches | The basket’s usable surface area and how easy it is to handle between cooking sessions. | If I mainly cook one food at a time, cooking in several batches may suit me. Around 15% of consumers would prioritise a single-basket model and be happy to cook this way. |
The same total capacity could be split between two drawers or take the form of a differently shaped cooking cavity. It doesn’t guarantee that your usual dishes will fit.
Compare the usable width, depth and height with a few meals you cook regularly, and don’t forget any accessories you’ll need.
Que Choisir says that two drawers let you cook different foods at the same time. However, the divider between them may make it difficult to fit one large dish.
If you also cook larger foods, check the dimensions of an individual drawer, then compare them with those of a basket or a single, undivided cavity.
These practical considerations matter if you use the appliance frequently. Que Choisir’s testing protocol looks at cleaning and storage, and also draws attention to fan noise.
Measure the space you have available, check the cleaning instructions and, if noise is a deciding factor for you, look for a test of the exact model.
According to the DGCCRF, the CE marking indicates that the manufacturer takes responsibility for meeting the applicable European requirements. It doesn’t certify cooking results, quiet operation or ease of cleaning.
Assess these practical features separately, using information and tests relating to the model you’re considering.
These appliances let you explore both two-compartment configurations and basket models for cooking multiple portions. For the ROUNY Blaze S, check the shape of the cooking space rather than assuming that the word ‘oven’ means it has a mini-oven-style cavity.
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Worth a look if you’d like to cook two parts of a meal in separate drawers. The stated capacity is 7,6 L in total, and the title lists six functions. Check the usable space in each drawer to make sure it suits your portions.
Check the manufacturer’s care instructions before putting the baskets in the dishwasher.
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Consider this model if you want to divide food between two compartments. The stated 9 L capacity is for the whole appliance, so check the size of each compartment and the settings available for each before planning to cook two different foods.
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This basket model is worth considering if you want to cook a large batch of one food, or cook in several batches. It has a stated capacity of 7 L and a viewing window; compare the basket’s usable dimensions with your portions.
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Worth a look for cooking a portion of one food if you’re happy to cook in batches. The title mentions a basket, rack, viewing window and knob controls. Check the layout inside before choosing this model for a wide dish.
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Compare this basket model with your portions if you’re happy to cook the different parts of a meal one after another. The title lists a 5 L capacity, a viewing window and a steam housing. Check the basket dimensions and the care instructions for the parts you’ll use.
No. Capacity alone doesn’t tell you how wide a dish the appliance can take or how much space there is in each drawer. Compare the internal dimensions and accessories with the food you usually cook.
Yes. Que Choisir says that models with two drawers let you cook different foods at the same time. However, check the settings for each zone and the size of each drawer on the exact model. The total capacity doesn’t answer either of these questions.
Check which parts can be removed and how they should be cleaned, then look for a test of the exact model if noise matters to you. Que Choisir’s testing protocol includes cleaning and storage, and measures noise at 0.50 m.
No. The DGCCRF explains that the CE marking represents the manufacturer’s commitment to meeting the applicable European requirements; it isn’t an independent certification of performance. For cooking results, look for tests covering the model and the foods you’re interested in.