People in small homes without an oven
If worktop space is limited, compare the room needed for a cooking cavity, a hob and a multicooker. Measure the appliance and allow for the ventilation clearances specified in its instructions.
Who are these solutions for?
Tenants and people living somewhere temporarily
A freestanding appliance lets you prepare everyday meals without any built-in installation work. The right choice depends on what you need to do most often: reheat food, cook in a pan, simmer a dish or prepare something oven-style.
Households looking to do more than reheat food
Grilling, frying and steaming call for different functions. Make a list of the cooking methods you need before looking for a single appliance: its advertised settings may not cover every type of dish.
What should you check first?
Start with the meals you usually make, then check that the appliance and its operating requirements suit the space and electrical supply available.
| Criteria | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking methods | Check which functions the appliance actually offers: a heated cavity for oven-style dishes, a hob for saucepans and frying pans, or steam and pressure-cooking settings. Check the usable capacity for your portions. | I mainly make gratins or cakes, so a simple hob wouldn’t meet my needs. For pasta, sauces or stir-fries, I’d look at portable hobs first. |
| Combined functions | With a microwave, distinguish between a grill and convection or fan-assisted cooking. A model with a grill alone does not necessarily offer hot-air cooking. | I want to reheat food in the microwave and prepare some oven-style dishes in the same appliance, so I’d check that the model has the convection function I’m looking for. |
| Space and installation | Measure the width, depth and height, and don’t forget to allow for the door or lid to open. Check the appliance’s instructions for the required surface and ventilation clearances. | My worktop is narrow, so the appliance’s dimensions alone won’t tell me whether I can install it there. |
| Cookware | For an induction hob, check that a magnet sticks to the base of your cookware, and that it is flat and suitable for the cooking zone, as advised by Tefal. | I want to keep using my saucepans and frying pans, so I’d check they’re compatible before choosing induction. |
| Power supply and use | Compare the stated power with your electrical installation and any electrical accessories you use. France’s National Consumer Institute recommends respecting extension lead power limits and not connecting multiple adaptors in a chain. | If several appliances might be running at the same time, I need to consider their combined power and keep sockets accessible. |
| Energy use | Compare energy-use information with the appliance’s size and how often you’ll use it. The French Agency for Ecological Transition (ADEME) provides annual benchmarks, not energy-use figures for every recipe; the National Consumer Institute’s study on combination ovens covers built-in models. | I’d like to keep my energy use down, without assuming that a compact appliance will use less energy for every dish I make. |
What mistakes should you avoid?
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Choosing induction without checking your cookware
Cookware with a base that isn’t suitable for induction may not cook as expected, meaning you’ll need to use a different pan or saucepan.
Test the base with a magnet, then check that it is flat and the right size for the cooking zone, as Tefal recommends.
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Confusing a grill with fan-assisted cooking
A microwave with a grill can reheat and grill food without offering the convection function needed for some oven-style dishes.
Check the exact settings in the product details and instructions: microwave, grill, convection and any permitted combinations. For example, the Bosch FEL023MS2 product details mention a grill, but not fan-assisted cooking.
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Relying on the external dimensions alone
The door or lid must be able to open, and the required ventilation clearances vary by model. The appliance’s footprint alone won’t tell you how much space you need.
Before ordering, check the instructions for clearance requirements, the surface it should stand on, the space needed to open it and access to a socket.
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Assuming a compact appliance always uses less energy
ADEME’s annual benchmarks apply to specific categories and usage patterns. The National Consumer Institute’s technical study on combination ovens compares built-in appliances, not the countertop models considered here.
To make an informed choice, consider the dishes you prepare, portion sizes and how often you’ll use the appliance, rather than expecting the same energy saving for every recipe.
Which brands cater for different needs?
Severin
Severin offers freestanding mini ovens as well as an MW 7752 microwave with a grill and fan-assisted cooking: two different ways to achieve oven-style results.
- The TO 2067 mini oven is listed at around 20 L and 1,500 W, with a temperature range of 100 to 230 °C.
- To check whether it will fit on your worktop and what you can cook in it, consult the dimensions and settings for the specific model.
Tefal
Tefal’s range of portable induction hobs shows how a single cooking zone can work well when most of your meals are made in saucepans and frying pans.
- The Everyday Slim hob is listed at 2,100 W with seven heat settings.
- Tefal says that a frying pan for induction should have a base that attracts a magnet, is flat and is the right size.
Moulinex
Moulinex offers both multicookers for dishes prepared in a pot and countertop air fryer ovens; it’s worth distinguishing between these two uses.
- The Cookeo+ Connect CE859800 includes settings such as steam, simmer, browning and pressure cooking.
- These settings don’t mean that a multicooker is suitable for every cake or gratin.
Bosch
The Bosch FEL023MS2 shows why it’s important to check a microwave’s functions one by one.
- Its product details describe a 20 L freestanding model with a grill and a maximum microwave power of 800 W.
- The product details don’t mention fan-assisted cooking, so don’t assume it’s a convection combination microwave.
Appliances to consider on Joybuy
These models show two ways to cook without a conventional oven: a portable hob for saucepans and frying pans, and a multicooker for dishes prepared in a pot. If your meals need to be cooked in a cavity, compare the functions of a mini oven or a convection microwave instead.
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IAGREEA DF200-14V10, 2,000 W induction hob
For meals cooked in a saucepan or frying pan, this hob offers eight power settings, an adjustable temperature of 60 to 270 °C and a 3-hour timer. The product details list compatible cookware measuring 12 to 26 cm; also check the dimensions and installation requirements before deciding where to put it.
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Instant Pot Classic 5.7 L, Daydream Blue
This 5.7 L multicooker is designed for dishes prepared in its pot, including slow-cooked and steamed meals, rather than food that needs an oven cavity. When pressure cooking, follow the filling limits and the instructions for the lid and steam. Check the power and dimensions to make sure it suits your setup.
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Midea 9-in-1, 8 L pressure multicooker
Designed for preparing several portions in its pot, this model is listed at 8 L and 1,200 W, with 12 pre-set programmes. Its pressure, steam and slow-cooking functions don’t replace an oven cavity for gratins. Follow the filling limits and check how much space you’ll need around the appliance.
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ochama, 2,000 W portable induction hob
Designed for cooking in a frying pan or saucepan, this hob offers ten power settings and six functions. It requires cookware with a magnetic base. Keep the ventilation openings clear, and check the dimensions and specified clearances before installing it.
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Cecotec Model D, 6 L programmable multicooker
Designed for dishes prepared in its pot, this model offers nine menus and two pressure settings. The pot is listed as 6 L, but the stated usable capacity is 5 L, so use this figure when working out portion sizes. Also check that clear instructions are available in French, along with the power, dimensions and installation requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Can a portable induction hob replace an oven?
Not for dishes that need a heated cavity, such as a cake or gratin. A hob is for cooking in a saucepan or frying pan. For induction, also check that your cookware has a magnetic, flat base that’s suitable for the cooking zone.
Does a microwave with a grill always have fan-assisted cooking?
No. The Bosch FEL023MS2 is listed with a grill, but fan-assisted cooking isn’t mentioned in its product details. If you’re looking for hot-air cooking, check explicitly that the model you’re considering has a convection setting.
What should you check before putting a cooking appliance on a worktop?
Measure the available space, including room to open the door or lid, then follow the instructions for the model’s supporting surface and ventilation requirements. Also compare its power with your electrical installation and any accessories you plan to use.
Can you run several cooking appliances from a multi-socket extension lead?
Don’t assume it’s safe: add up the power of the appliances that might run at the same time and stay within the limit shown on the extension lead. France’s National Consumer Institute recommends not overloading extension leads and never connecting multiple adaptors in a chain.