Choose the appliance that suits the meals you usually prepare: a hob for cooking in pans, an oven for dishes that need baking, a microwave if you mainly reheat food, or a compact appliance if its baskets and functions suit your portions. Before ordering, check the available space, ventilation requirements and power supply compatibility. A compact appliance won’t automatically replace a hob or oven.
If you often cook dishes in a frying pan, make gratins or roast meat, start by thinking about the cooking methods you don’t want to give up. For a hob or built-in oven, also check the space, power supply and the instructions in the manual.
A microwave may be all you need for leftovers, defrosting portions and simple meals. Compare a solo model with a combination model, based on the cooking functions you’ll actually use.
An appliance with a cooking pot or baskets is worth considering if your portions and recipes will fit. Measure the space available on your worktop and check the usable capacity rather than relying on the word ‘compact’ alone.
The deciding factor is the type of meals each appliance lets you prepare at home. Once you’ve made that choice, check that the model you’re considering suits the available space and installation.
Consider it: if you often start cooking in a saucepan or frying pan.
Bear in mind: before buying a built-in hob, check the cut-out dimensions and electrical connection.
Consider it: for gratins, roasts, baking or dishes that need the space of an oven.
Bear in mind: a built-in model must fit the housing and clearances specified in its manual.
Consider it: if you mainly use it to reheat and defrost, as described by UFC-Que Choisir.
Bear in mind: if you want to grill or use fan cooking, check the functions of a combination model rather than assuming a solo model offers them.
Consider it: if your regular dishes fit its capacity and suit its cooking functions.
Bear in mind: the baskets and cooking pot limit the size and shape of dishes you can use, so this may be best as an additional appliance.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking functions | List the dishes you prepare regularly, then compare the model’s functions and usable capacity. | If I cook different dishes throughout the week, I want to cover my usual cooking needs without immediately buying several appliances. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this variety of cooking options. |
| Reheating and defrosting | Decide whether a solo microwave is enough or whether you’ll also use the grill or fan cooking function. | When my meals are already prepared, I mainly want to reheat a portion or defrost it easily. Around 25% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Space and installation | Measure the space and check the manual for details on the power supply, built-in installation and ventilation. | Before choosing extra functions, I need to be able to install the appliance in my kitchen. For around 25% of consumers, this compatibility would come first. |
| Compact design | Compare the space it takes up, the capacity of its baskets or cooking pot, and the size of your usual dishes. | With limited worktop space, I’m looking for an appliance that suits my portions without taking up too much room. Around 17% of consumers would make this their priority. |
An unsuitable housing space, insufficient clearance for heat or an incompatible electrical connection could prevent you from installing your chosen oven or hob. Electrolux states that its installers don’t carry out joinery or electrical work.
Take measurements and check the model’s manual. If a circuit needs to be installed or modified, ask a qualified professional for advice before ordering.
Changes to the housing or electrical installation could also delay the appliance being ready to use.
Capacities and configurations vary from one model to another. The uses highlighted by Moulinex for its basket appliances don’t prove they’ll fit your usual dishes or replace a hob.
Check your recipes and portions against the usable capacity, number of baskets and functions of the model you choose.
The figures published by ADEME are based on average usage. They don’t predict how much energy you’ll use to prepare your own meals, as your cooking frequency and methods may differ.
Compare appliances using similar usage assumptions and take into account how often you actually cook or reheat food.
Power doesn’t tell you whether an appliance offers the functions you need. A model designed mainly for reheating and a combination model aren’t suited to the same types of cooking.
Start with how you’ll use it: choose a solo model mainly for reheating, a grill function if browning matters to you, or a combination model if you plan to use its other cooking functions.
A brand worth considering for electric and induction hobs, particularly if installation information is important to your decision.
A range to explore if you’re comparing built-in ovens by capacity, functions and housing dimensions.
A brand to consider when comparing freestanding microwaves, combination models and built-in models.
A range to explore for appliances with a cooking pot or baskets, comparing capacity and configuration.
These appliances represent three of the options covered here: a microwave for reheating or trying different cooking methods, a basket appliance for dishes suited to its format, and an induction hob for cooking in pans. Compare each model with your meals and installation requirements.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want to reheat food and have other cooking functions in the same appliance. It has a stated capacity of 39 L. Check the manual for installation requirements and the space you’ll need to leave around it.
Image unavailable
Compare it if you’re looking for several cooking functions and a 42 L capacity. Before setting aside space for it, check the power supply and clearance requirements in the manual.
Image unavailable
Worth considering for dishes that can be cooked in two baskets. The stated total capacity is 9 L. Check that each portion fits in the basket it’s intended for, and make sure you have enough worktop space and clearance around the appliance.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you regularly cook in saucepans or frying pans. This model has four zones and nine power levels. Before buying, check that your pans, worktop cut-out and electrical connection are compatible with the manual and your kitchen.
Image unavailable
Worth considering when reheating or defrosting matters more to you than the functions of a combination oven. It has a stated capacity of 23 L. If you plan to place it in a cupboard, first check the clearance requirements in the manual.
For kitchen installations covered by the rules outlined by Promotelec, the hob must have a dedicated circuit with its own protective device. For this configuration, Promotelec specifies a 32 A cable outlet, 6 mm² conductors and a 32 A circuit breaker. Before carrying out any work, check what applies to your home and chosen model.
Yes. The space needed for heat to escape must comply with the oven’s manual. Whirlpool recommends leaving clearance around and behind the appliance. Check the installation diagram for the exact dimensions of the model you’re considering.
A combination microwave can handle some oven cooking if its functions and capacity suit your dishes. UFC-Que Choisir highlights grill and fan cooking functions on combination models. Check the size of your dishes and the model’s functions before deciding you don’t need a separate oven.
Use containers labelled as microwave-safe and follow the appliance manual. UFC-Que Choisir advises against metal containers and utensils, and points out that not all plastics are suitable for microwave use.
Compare similar types of use, then take into account how often you actually cook and reheat food. The energy-use figures published by ADEME are a guide to average usage, not a prediction of your household’s consumption.