Don’t look for a one-size-fits-all replacement for a built-in oven: start by choosing the type of cooking you’re missing in your day-to-day life. A combination microwave or mini oven is better suited to reheating and oven cooking, a multi-cooker to moist and programmed dishes, while an air fryer is ideal for small roasted or crispy portions; a portable hob complements these appliances for saucepan or frying-pan cooking.
After moving in, a freestanding appliance can meet your cooking needs without modifying the property. Check your tenancy agreement and the equipment already included: appliances listed in the contract are covered by the landlord’s obligations.
For one or two people, choose based first on the meals you usually prepare: saucy dishes, reheating, roasting or stir-fries. The number of advertised programmes matters less than the cooking methods you genuinely need.
A temporary or long-term solution without built-in installation can work if its essential functions match your recipes. Before installation, check the available space, the electrical supply and the manufacturer’s instructions.
Start with the meals you want to prepare, then check the space actually available, your dish and cookware sizes, and the electrical supply requirements.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking methods | Distinguish between reheating and defrosting, programmed moist cooking, hot-air cooking and hob cooking. Check which functions are actually available on the model. | I want to choose my appliance according to my meals: a gratin, a slow-cooked dish, roasted vegetables and a stir-fry do not require the same solution. |
| Size and capacity | Measure the external dimensions and the specified clearances. Check the cavity, basket or usable bowl capacity, as well as whether your dishes and moulds are compatible. | My appliance must fit on the worktop while accommodating the portions and dish sizes I actually prepare. |
| Electrical safety | Compare the rated power with the manufacturer’s instructions and the condition of the socket. Check the manual, markings and seller details. | I want to use an appliance suitable for my home without assuming that an available socket can handle any power rating or combination of appliances. |
| Cleaning and regular use | Assess how easy the removable parts are to clean, how often you expect to use the appliance and which functions are already available in your kitchen. Compare real-life uses rather than the stated power alone. | I would rather choose an appliance I use often enough to justify the space it takes up, its maintenance and its running costs. |
The cooking cavity limits quantities, and large batches or fresh chips may require several cycles, with less even cooking.
Measure the basket or usable cavity based on your usual dishes: portions, mould diameter and the quantity you want to cook at once.
A standard microwave is mainly used for reheating, defrosting and some quick cooking; grill and fan-assisted cooking functions are not available on every model.
If oven cooking is essential, explicitly check for fan-assisted cooking, a grill, the cavity capacity and the accessories supplied.
The bowl cannot always be filled to its stated capacity, particularly to leave room and prevent spills.
Check the maximum cooking capacity specified in the manual and compare it with your usual recipes and portions.
Electrical appliances can pose risks of electric shock, fire or burns. The appliance’s power rating and position must comply with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Check the condition of the socket and plug, the safety clearances and the manual. If you notice overheating, tripped breakers or have any concerns about the installation, stop using the appliance and seek qualified advice.
Moulinex offers products in categories suited to kitchens without a built-in oven, particularly multi-cookers and hot-air appliances. UFC-Que Choisir lists the Cookeo Infinity and several Easy Fry models among its recently tested products.
Ninja is among the air-fryer brands recently tested by UFC-Que Choisir in France.
Philips is mentioned by UFC-Que Choisir among the air-fryer brands featured in its trials and recently tested products.
Silvercrest, distributed by Lidl, is included among the hot-air appliances recently tested by UFC-Que Choisir.
These Joybuy options cover several ways to cook without a built-in appliance: countertop oven cooking, portable hob cooking, programmed dishes and hot-air cooking.
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For baking, roasting or grilling without built-in installation, with a 23 L cavity, an adjustable temperature from 40 to 230 °C and a 90-minute timer.
Check the ventilation clearances and electrical compatibility in the manual before installation; cleaning is manual.
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A solution for boiling, simmering, searing or frying with flat-based magnetic cookware measuring 12 to 26 cm.
Adjustable power from 100 to 2,000 W, a temperature range of 60 to 270 °C and a timer of up to 3 hours; check your cookware, socket and ventilation openings.
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Suitable for programmed meals for one or two people, with rice, porridge, soup and steaming programmes, a 24-hour delayed start and a keep-warm function.
Measures 220 × 245 × 215 mm and has a power rating of 400 W; allow 40 cm above and 10 cm at the sides, without blocking the steam outlet.
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Two independent 4.75 L drawers let you prepare two components with separate settings, without a built-in oven.
Six advertised functions, including Air Fry, Max Crisp, Roast, Bake and Reheat; dimensions of 32.5 × 41.5 × 27 cm and an advertised power rating of 2,470 W.
Check the ventilation clearances, socket compatibility and the portion sizes suited to your recipes.
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Two independent 3.8 L drawers let you programme the function, cooking time and temperature separately for two preparations.
Air Fry, Max Crisp, Roast, Bake, Reheat and Dehydrate functions; dimensions of 31.5 × 38 × 26.5 cm and an advertised power rating of 2,400 W.
Turn or shake the food halfway through cooking as directed in the product information, and check the ventilation clearances and electrical installation.
No. The decree on decent housing requires a fitted kitchen or kitchenette suitable for installing a cooking appliance, but does not itself require a built-in oven to be provided. According to ANIL, if an oven or another appliance is listed in the tenancy agreement, the landlord must provide it in good working order and condition, subject to the tenant’s responsibilities for maintenance or damage.
First check your tenancy agreement, the building’s internal rules or the applicable co-ownership regulations. The property must include a space suitable for a cooking appliance and an electrical system appropriate for standard household appliances. You must also follow the clearances, ventilation requirements and electrical instructions specified by the manufacturer for your chosen appliance.
It can be a compact solution for reheating, defrosting, grilling and basic fan-assisted cooking. UFC-Que Choisir notes that a combination model offers basic functions similar to those of a conventional oven, but you should check the cavity capacity, available modes, accessories and the dish sizes it can accommodate.
Choose a multi-cooker for rice, slow-cooked dishes, saucy recipes and programmed cooking. An air fryer is better suited to small portions that you want to roast, grill or crisp; it is not automatically suitable for large batches or family meals.
Power rating alone is not enough: consider the cooking time, frequency and method. ADEME publishes annual guidance figures for electric ovens, hobs and microwaves, but you should mainly compare your own recipes and usage habits.