Home cooks without a built-in hob
If you mainly cook pasta, sauces or stir-fries, a portable hob lets you carry on cooking in the same way. For induction, first check that your saucepans and frying pans are compatible.
Who are these appliances for?
People who cook with an oven
Bakes, quiches, roasts and pastries need a suitably sized oven cavity. Measure your dishes and the available space before choosing a mini oven or combination appliance.
People who prefer meals that need less supervision
For reheating or defrosting, look at the microwave’s functions. For rice, soups and one-pot dishes, take a closer look at a multicooker’s programmes.
How do the options compare?
In a small kitchen, start by choosing the cooking method that suits your everyday meals. Then check that the appliance’s dimensions and instructions work for your space.
| Your needs | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Saucepans and frying pans | Whether your cookware is compatible with induction; the power and plug requirements listed in the instructions. | I don’t have a built-in hob and want to boil or fry food using my usual cookware. Around 27% of consumers prioritise this type of cooking. |
| Oven cooking | The dimensions of the oven cavity and your dishes; the available heating modes. | If I often make bakes, tarts or roasted vegetables, I need a suitably sized oven cavity. This is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Quick reheating | Whether microwave, grill and fan-assisted cooking functions are actually included; the turntable dimensions. | For leftovers or individual portions, I want to prioritise reheating and defrosting without adding several appliances. Around 20% of consumers put speed at the top of their list. |
| One-pot dishes | Usable capacity for your recipes; the programmes and removable parts that need cleaning. | I mainly cook rice, soups or slow-cooked dishes and want to keep an eye on them less. Cooking in a pot is the main priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Roasted or crispy portions | Basket capacity, the space it takes up and whether it duplicates an oven you already own. | When I cook small roasted portions, texture and using less oil matter more than cooking in a saucepan. Around 13% of consumers prioritise this kind of cooking. |
Mistakes to avoid
-
Buying an induction hob without checking your pans
Induction requires cookware with a ferromagnetic base. If a pan isn’t compatible, you won’t be able to use it on the hob.
Check your saucepans and frying pans before you buy, as recommended by UFC-Que Choisir in its guide to induction.
You may need to replace any incompatible cookware.
-
Expecting an air fryer to replace every cooking method
It can cook, roast or grill some dishes, but it isn’t suited to the same recipes as a hob or oven. UFC-Que Choisir also points out that air fryers take up space and can be noisy.
Compare the basket size with your usual portions, and consider whether its functions duplicate those of your oven.
-
Assuming the cooking pot’s capacity tells you how much you can cook
You can’t necessarily fill a multicooker to its stated capacity. The limit depends on the recipe and the risk of food boiling over, among other things.
Check the fill level markings and portion guidance for the dishes you make most often.
-
Forgetting to clean your mini oven
Grease splatters need regular cleaning. UFC-Que Choisir advises against using abrasive sponges and certain specialist products to clean mini ovens.
Unplug the appliance before cleaning it, and follow the instructions for the walls, rack and accessories.
Allow time to clean the oven cavity and accessories after cooking messy dishes.
Brands to know for these cooking needs
Tefal
The Everyday Slim IH210801 portable hob is an example of an induction solution for saucepan cooking in a compact space.
- Tefal says this model is 45 mm high and has six programmes.
- As with any induction hob, you’ll need compatible cookware. Also check the model’s plug requirements.
Moulinex
The Optimo 19 L and Fuzzy Logic models are designed for two different uses: oven cooking and meals prepared in a cooking pot.
- Moulinex says the Optimo 19 L includes fan-assisted cooking and a grill, while the Fuzzy Logic has a 5 L cooking pot and 25 programmes.
- For the Optimo, check that your dishes fit in the oven cavity. For the Fuzzy Logic, compare its usable capacity with the recipes you plan to make.
SEB
The Actifry Genius is part of the air fryer range, designed for dishes such as roasted or crispy foods.
- SEB lists automatic menus among the Actifry Genius’s features. Check the functions of the version you’re considering.
- UFC-Que Choisir describes air fryers as bulky and a little noisy. Measure your available space and compare their uses with those of your oven.
Cooking appliances on Joybuy
These models show five ways to cook in a compact space: one-pot dishes, hob cooking, roasted portions, oven cooking and microwave reheating. Choose based on the recipes you actually make, rather than doubling up on similar functions.
Image unavailable
KitchenCook Model Kyoto White, 2 L multicooker
Worth considering if you mainly prepare everyday meals in a cooking pot, such as rice or soups. Its stated capacity is 2 L. Check the usable capacity for your recipes, and allow enough space above the appliance to open the lid.
Image unavailable
IAGREEA DF200-14V10, 2,000 W induction hob
For cooking in a saucepan or frying pan when you don’t have a built-in hob. The product title lists eight power settings, a 3-hour timer and cookware sized from 12 to 26 cm. Before you buy, also check that your pans are induction-compatible and review the electrical requirements.
Image unavailable
Midea, 2 L air fryer, 1,150 W
Worth considering for small roasted portions, rather than as a replacement for every cooking method. The product title lists a 60-minute timer and a dishwasher-safe basket. Compare the stated 2 L capacity with your usual portions, and measure the space available.
Image unavailable
Taurus Horizon23, 23 L black mini oven
For meals that need to be oven-cooked when your kitchen doesn’t have an oven. The stated capacity is 23 L. Compare the internal dimensions with your baking tins, and leave the clearance around the appliance specified in the instructions.
Image unavailable
Hkoenig VIO9, 25 L freestanding microwave
Consider this if reheating and defrosting matter more to you than oven cooking. Before relying on it for other types of cooking, check which modes this version offers, whether there’s room for your dishes and the power listed for each function. The 25 L capacity alone won’t tell you everything you need to know.
Frequently asked questions
Will any saucepan work on a portable induction hob?
No. Induction requires cookware with a ferromagnetic base. UFC-Que Choisir recommends choosing compatible saucepans and frying pans, so check yours before buying a hob.
Can a combination microwave replace a mini oven?
It could be suitable if you mainly reheat meals and only use the grill or fan-assisted cooking occasionally. Check that the model actually has these modes and that its cavity is large enough for your dishes. The word ‘combination’ alone doesn’t mean it’s suitable for all your oven recipes.
What containers can you use in a microwave?
For microwave mode, avoid metal containers and check that plastic containers are labelled as microwave-safe. If the appliance also has a grill, consult the instructions to find out which containers are suitable for each mode.
What should you check to use a countertop appliance safely?
Make sure its plug, clearance and cleaning instructions suit your electrical installation and worktop. For products covered by French regulations, the DGCCRF notes that the CE mark means the manufacturer declares that the product meets the applicable requirements; it isn’t an independent certification.