Households that cook on the hob
You regularly cook in saucepans or frying pans and want to know whether a hob will meet your everyday needs. If you’re considering induction, remember to check that your cookware is compatible.
Who is this guide for?
Households that often reheat food
You often reheat or defrost portions and want to choose an appliance suited to these tasks, without expecting a solo microwave to offer the same functions as a traditional oven.
Households that bake with limited space
You bake dishes or roast small portions and need to compare a built-in oven, mini oven and countertop appliance based on your dishes and the space available.
What should you look for before buying?
Start with the task you do most often, then check that the appliance will fit into your kitchen and work with the cookware, dimensions and installation conditions required.
| Priority | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Hob cooking | Count how many pans you use at once. For induction, check they’re compatible and have the power supply required for the model confirmed. | If I often cook meals on the hob, I want to use my usual pans and cook several things at once. Around 33% of consumers prioritise cooking in a saucepan or frying pan. |
| Oven cooking | Measure your tins and oven dishes, then compare them with the usable dimensions of the cavity and the space available for the appliance. | When I regularly make pies, gratins or other oven dishes, I want to know my tins will actually fit inside. Around 27% of consumers prioritise cooking dishes in the oven. |
| Reheating and defrosting | Check that your containers fit inside the cavity, which functions are listed, and what clearances are specified in the model’s manual. | If my main use is reheating or defrosting portions, I’m looking for a cavity that suits my containers and these tasks. Around 20% of consumers prioritise reheating or defrosting. |
| Extra cooking | Choose between a basket, cavity or cooking zone based on what you plan to make. Also measure the space needed to place and open the appliance. | With limited worktop space, I want an appliance with enough capacity for the food I make that won’t get in the way when I use it. Around 20% of consumers prioritise extra cooking in a limited space. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Comparing annual energy use as if every appliance cooked the same meal
ADEME publishes annual averages for different appliance categories, based on distinct usage profiles. These figures aren’t enough to determine how much energy each appliance uses to cook the same dish.
Compare similar tasks and usage frequencies, and take your own habits into account rather than treating an annual average as a guaranteed saving.
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Choosing an induction hob without checking your cookware and electrical connection
Induction requires compatible cookware. For a built-in hob, the power supply needed depends on the installation and the model you choose.
Check your saucepans and frying pans, then have the required connection confirmed as feasible before you buy. Promotelec explains the connection requirements for hobs; these checks are not instructions for modifying an electrical circuit yourself.
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Assuming all countertop appliances work like versatile ovens
An air fryer basket and a mini oven cavity won’t necessarily fit the same portions or containers. For example, Moulinex lists a capacity of 4.6 L for the Easy Fry & Grill EZ501810 and 33 L for the Optimo OX464810 mini oven. These are different types of appliance.
Measure your portions and tins, then check the space needed to place and open the appliance, as well as the clearances specified in its manual.
Brands to consider for different types of cooking
Bosch
Worth considering for an induction hob or built-in oven, provided the space and power supply suit the model.
- Bosch Home Appliances France describes pan detection on the PUE611BB5E hob and 3D Hotair on the HBA534BS3 oven.
- These features apply to these specific models. Check the available space and installation requirements for the model you’re considering.
Samsung
Worth considering if you regularly reheat food with a solo microwave, such as model MS23K3513AK/EF.
- Samsung France lists a 23 L capacity and Quick Defrost function for this model.
- A solo model doesn’t replace the functions of a traditional oven. Check the ventilation clearances in the model’s manual.
Moulinex
Compare its options for extra cooking: an air fryer basket for certain portions, or a mini oven for dishes in tins.
- Moulinex lists a 4.6 L capacity and grill function for the Easy Fry & Grill EZ501810, and a 33 L capacity with six cooking modes for the Optimo OX464810.
- These two models are different sizes. Their capacities don’t mean they’re equivalent or have comparable energy efficiency.
Philips
Worth considering for extra cooking with the Airfryer 1000 Series NA154/00 and its two baskets.
- Philips lists two 3.55 L baskets that can be combined into a 7.1 L space using a removable divider.
- Check that your food will fit in the baskets. These capacities don’t prove that it will use less electricity for a particular meal.
Tefal
Worth considering if a portable induction hob suits your needs for cooking in saucepans or frying pans.
- Tefal’s French website lists portable induction hobs and associated parts.
- Check the manual and compatibility with your installation. A model being listed by the brand doesn’t tell you whether a particular retailer has it in stock.
Joybuy products for these cooking needs
This selection brings together Joybuy options for reheating, induction cooking and certain extra cooking tasks on the worktop.
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Heinrich's 20 L Solo Microwave
Designed for reheating or defrosting portions, this model is listed as a solo microwave.
Capacity: 20 L. Power: 700 W. Six power levels, a 30-minute timer and a defrost function, according to the product name.
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AEG IKS64453IB 60 cm Built-in Induction Hob
For cooking in saucepans or frying pans, consider this built-in induction hob if it suits your installation and your cookware is compatible.
The product name lists a 60 cm width, four zones and a Bridge function. Check the power supply requirements and available space before buying.
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Ninja AF110EU 4.7 L Digital Air Fryer
For extra cooking, this model is presented as suitable for one or two portions. Check that the basket size suits the food you plan to make.
The product name lists a 4.7 L capacity, 2,000 W power and three functions.
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Ninja FN101EUGY Crispi Air Fryer
Worth considering for extra cooking on the worktop. Check that the containers supplied suit the quantities you prepare.
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Hisense HI6432BSCWF Hi6 60 cm Induction Hob
For cooking in saucepans or frying pans, consider this built-in hob if your installation and cookware are suitable for induction.
The product name lists a width of 60 cm. Check the power supply requirements and the space needed to install the model.
Frequently asked questions
Does a built-in hob connect in the same way as a small appliance on the worktop?
Don’t assume so: check the model’s requirements and your installation before buying. Promotelec describes a dedicated circuit for hobs and specifies, among other things, a 32 A single-phase connection. This information is not an instruction to modify an electrical circuit yourself.
Can you install a microwave in any cupboard space?
No, not without checking the manual. For its microwaves, Samsung gives indicative clearances of 10 cm at the back and sides, and 20 cm above, while noting that clearances vary by model. These measurements aren’t a universal rule for all appliances.
How can you compare the electricity use of different cooking appliances?
Compare similar tasks and usage frequencies rather than treating average annual energy use as the cost of cooking the same meal. ADEME publishes separate figures for hobs, ovens and microwaves. Its Wattris simulator lets you vary the appliances and how long you use them to explore your own situation.
Does a cooker hood replace ventilation in the home?
Don’t confuse a cooker hood with ventilation for your home. Under the scope of the Order of 24 March 1982, air flows from main rooms to service rooms. The presence of a cooker hood alone doesn’t mean you can remove or block the existing ventilation.
What should you check for the maintenance and repair of a countertop appliance?
Find the full model number so you can check the manual, maintenance instructions and available parts. For the EZ501810, Moulinex provides a manual page and states that this model is covered by a repairability commitment. This manufacturer statement is separate from the rights provided by the statutory guarantee owed by the retailer.