For one or two portions, start by choosing an appliance based on the dishes you make most often: a hob for a saucepan or frying pan, a microwave for reheating or defrosting, a mini oven for bakes and gratins, or a multicooker for moist dishes that need less attention. An air fryer can work well for small batches of roasted food, as long as its basket fits your recipes. Neither its stated capacity nor its power rating is enough to tell you how much electricity it will use to cook your meals.
If you usually make one or two portions, start with the dishes you cook regularly: a saucepan, an oven dish and an air fryer basket are suited to different types of cooking. Also think about how much time you want to spend keeping an eye on your food.
A compact appliance is worth making room for if you use it regularly or it replaces something you already own. A portable hob is easier to store than a mini oven, while adding an air fryer alongside your oven and microwave takes up even more space. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the risk of clutter.
For moist dishes, slow-cooked meals or steamed food, take a look at the programmes and bowl of a compact multicooker. Check that its functions suit your recipes rather than assuming it can replace roasting or grilling.
Start with the cooking method you need, then check how much food the appliance can actually hold, how much space it takes up and how easy it is to clean.
| What to consider | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking method | For a frying pan or saucepan, look at hobs; for reheating and defrosting, consider microwaves. Compare mini ovens, multicookers and air fryers according to whether you want to brown, slow-cook or cook a small batch. | I mainly cook dishes in a saucepan, or I’m looking for a quick way to reheat a portion. For quiches and gratins, I want to be able to use an oven-safe dish. |
| Capacity | Check the dimensions of the dish, bowl or basket, and how much food it can hold. The stated capacity in litres doesn’t tell you how much usable space there is for every recipe. | I need my portions to fit without having to cook several batches. UFC-Que Choisir points out that the limited cooking space in an air fryer restricts the amount you can prepare. |
| Energy use | Compare the same recipe and quantity, taking preheating and cooking time into account. The stated power rating and ADEME’s annual estimates alone don’t tell you how much electricity your dish will use. | I want to assess the electricity used for my usual meals, without applying a result from a different test to all my recipes. |
| Size | Measure the space where you’ll put the appliance, the clearance required around it according to the instructions, and the storage space available. Ask yourself which existing appliance or cooking method it will actually replace. | If my worktop space is limited, I’d rather have an appliance I’ll use often and can store away easily. |
| Cookware | For an induction hob, check that your saucepans and frying pans are compatible and the right diameter for the model you choose. A single-zone hob only lets you cook one thing at a time. | I cook with a frying pan or saucepan and want to keep using the cookware I already own. |
| Cleaning and supervision | Check which parts are removable, whether they’re dishwasher-safe and which programmes are useful for the dishes you make. An automatic function won’t necessarily suit every recipe. | After a busy day, I want to keep handling to a minimum and clean the parts that come into contact with food easily. |
Power ratings don’t account for cooking time, preheating or the quantity you prepare. Energy-use comparisons can therefore vary depending on the recipe and appliances being compared.
For a dish you make regularly, look for a test using a similar recipe and quantity. Don’t turn an energy saving measured in one specific test into a general promise.
Its basket may mean you have to reduce the quantity or cook several batches. The tins, gratins and bakes you make regularly may need a different kind of cooking space.
Before deciding against a mini oven, compare the shape and quantity of your usual recipes with the usable space in the basket.
A portable hob won’t suit your needs if your saucepans and frying pans aren’t induction-compatible or are the wrong diameter for the model.
Check your cookware and consult the hob’s instructions for the sizes it accepts.
If your cookware isn’t suitable, you’ll need to budget for replacements.
Even a compact appliance takes up space when you’re using it or leave it out. UFC-Que Choisir notes in particular that an air fryer can clutter your worktop if you already have an oven and microwave.
Measure the space available for using and storing it, then choose an appliance for a cooking method you use often rather than an occasional function.
These models show a range of cooking formats; their features aren’t representative of every appliance from each brand.
The Everyday Slim IH2108E1 is an example of a portable induction hob for cooking in compatible cookware, particularly useful when storage space is limited.
Moulinex offers two different types of cooking here: the Optimo OX444810 mini oven and the Cookeo Touch Mini CE922110 multicooker.
The Series 3000 HD9252/90 is an example of an air fryer designed for small batches.
These Joybuy options cover microwave reheating, cooking on an induction hob, simple meals in a small electric pot and small batches in an air fryer. Choose according to the dishes you make and check the dimensions and usage requirements of the model you select.
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Worth considering if you mainly want to reheat or defrost small quantities. The product description lists 700 W, six power levels, a 30-minute timer and a defrost function. If you need a grill or fan-assisted heat, check the model’s product page for these features. Also check the power supply and plug before buying.
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For cooking a small portion in a saucepan or frying pan, provided you use compatible cookware. The product description lists 2 000 W, eight power levels, a temperature range of 60 to 270 °C, a 3-hour timer and cookware sized from 12 to 26 cm. Check how much clearance you’ll need around the hob before setting it up.
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This pot-style appliance is worth considering for small dishes such as soup or noodles. It’s not the same type of appliance as a multicooker with preset programmes. The product description lists a stainless steel inner pot and two settings, 300 W and 600 W. Check its dimensions, power supply voltage and plug before buying.
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Another option for cooking with a frying pan or saucepan on a single zone. The product description lists ten heat settings, six functions and a lock. Check that your cookware is suitable for induction, then check the compatible diameters, the space needed and the electrical requirements.
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Consider it for small batches if the basket can fit the shape and quantity of your food. The product description lists 1 500 W, eight programmes, a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C and a 60-minute timer. Check that the basket has enough usable space for your recipes. The stated power rating doesn’t tell you how much electricity a cooking session will use.
No. The result depends on the recipe, the quantity and the appliances being compared. For small quiches cooked in equal quantities, UFC-Que Choisir measured an average of 36 % less electricity with the air fryers tested than with a 19 L mini oven. This result won’t automatically apply to other dishes or models.
Start by looking at a microwave: UFC-Que Choisir lists reheating and defrosting among its functions. If you also want to brown food or cook using fan-assisted heat, check that the specific model offers these functions. They don’t come as standard with a basic microwave.
No. The stated capacity doesn’t guarantee that your dish and two portions will fit in the basket in one go. UFC-Que Choisir points out that limited cooking space restricts the amount you can prepare, so compare the shape of the basket with the recipes you usually make.
It depends on the model and the part in question. Moulinex France says the Cookeo Touch Mini bowl is dishwasher-safe. Check the instructions for the model you choose before putting any other parts in the dishwasher.