Choose an appliance based on the recipes you can’t do without: a mini oven for roasting or grilling, a portable hob for saucepans and frying pans, an air fryer for browning small portions, or a single-pot appliance for simple meals cooked in one vessel. A microwave with a grill can offer more cooking options, but its exact functions may not replace those of an oven. Before setting aside a space for any appliance, check the installation instructions.
If your meals include gratins, roasted vegetables or oven-baked dishes, start by looking at what a mini oven can do. If you’re considering a combination appliance, check that it has the cooking modes you need, not just a reheat function.
If what you’re missing is a hob, a portable model lets you use saucepans and frying pans. If you want to cook meals in a single vessel, compare the functions and capacity of a single-pot appliance instead.
If you mainly cook small portions that need browning or crisping, an air fryer is worth considering. It won’t, however, give you a hob for boiling or simmering food in a saucepan.
If your home doesn’t have a usable oven, start with the cooking method you can’t do without. Then compare the appliance’s dimensions and instructions with the space you have in mind.
| Need | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Oven cooking | Check the model’s cooking modes, whether your dishes will fit and the installation instructions. | I want to roast vegetables or grill a dish, not just reheat it; around 27% of consumers would prioritise this type of cooking. |
| Saucepan and frying pan cooking | Check the type of hob and, for induction, whether your cookware is compatible. | I mainly boil, fry or simmer my meals; around 27% of consumers would have the same priority. |
| One-pot meals | Compare the capacity and the programmes actually available on each appliance. | I prefer to cook rice, soup or a slow-cooked dish in one vessel, with less hands-on preparation; around 20% of consumers would prioritise this need. |
| Small portions that need browning | Check the basket’s capacity and shape against the food you cook. | I mainly cook small portions that need browning rather than dishes with sauce; around 13% of consumers would have this as their priority. |
| Easy storage | Measure the space and storage available, then check the clearance and cooling instructions. | I need to be able to clear my worktop between meals, even if that limits the recipes I can make; around 13% of consumers would put size first. |
Its basket is designed for portions suited to hot-air cooking, but it doesn’t provide a hob for a saucepan.
Make a note of the recipes you cook most often. If boiling, simmering or frying are your mainstays, look at a hob or a single-pot appliance first.
You may then need a portable hob and compatible cookware for these types of cooking.
A grill, fan-assisted cooking and conventional cooking are different functions. A grill alone doesn’t mean an appliance is suitable for all your oven recipes.
Before choosing this option, check the modes listed for the exact model in its product details and instructions.
An appliance may fit in the space you’ve chosen, but that doesn’t mean the spot meets its clearance, ventilation or electrical connection requirements.
Compare the space available with the dimensions and full instructions for your chosen model. Don’t rely on the clearances specified for another appliance.
For a furnished property that is the tenant’s main home, the decree of 31 July 2015 published on Légifrance lists cooking hobs and an oven or microwave among the required furnishings.
If this applies to your rental, check your tenancy agreement and the inventory, then report any missing or faulty items to your landlord before buying a replacement.
Its documented range includes an air fryer with a grill and multicookers with programmes for everyday meals.
Its Everyday Slim portable induction hob is an example of a solution for cooking with a saucepan or frying pan when you don’t have a fixed hob.
The BMOF30B mini oven is worth considering if your recipes call for an ovenproof dish.
The KVLBE08X shows the functions a combination microwave can offer, including a grill and fan-assisted cooking.
These appliances suit different ways of cooking in a small space: using a saucepan, making small portions in a basket or cooking pot, or reheating and grilling with a microwave that has a grill. Choose according to your recipes and the requirements of each model.
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Worth considering if you mainly need to cook with a saucepan or frying pan. The title lists eight power levels, seven preset functions, a 3 h timer and cookware sizes from 12 to 26 cm. Check that your cookware is induction-compatible and follow the installation instructions for this model.
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For portions that fit in a basket and recipes using the modes listed in the title, including roasting and grilling. The appliance has eight preset modes and an adjustable temperature of 35 to 200 °C; it doesn’t provide a hob for a saucepan. Check the instructions before deciding where to place it.
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Consider this if you cook small portions in a basket rather than making dishes in a saucepan. The title lists a 2 L capacity, a non-stick basket and a 60-minute timer. Check the space available for the appliance and follow the instructions.
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For making small quantities in one vessel, especially if you prefer boiling. The title lists a stainless steel pot and two power settings, 300 and 600 W. This pot won’t replace an oven, and its capacity limits portion sizes. Check the instructions for where it should be placed.
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Worth considering if you want to reheat food and have a grill, without assuming it will replace an oven for every recipe. The title lists a 20 L capacity and 700 W microwave power. Before buying, check the functions and clearance requirements for this model.
Not for every recipe just because it has a grill. Check whether the exact model offers the other modes you need, such as fan-assisted or conventional cooking. The KVLBE08X combination appliance featured by Electrolux lists these functions, but it’s a built-in model, not a freestanding microwave for your worktop.
Yes, as long as they’re induction-compatible and within the size range accepted by the hob you choose. Check the markings on your cookware and the instructions for the model.
Wait for it to cool and follow the instructions for your model. The instructions for the Moulinex MK7051 multicooker say not to move the appliance while it’s in use or immediately after cooking.
For a furnished property that is the tenant’s main home, the decree of 31 July 2015 published on Légifrance provides for cooking hobs and an oven or microwave among the furnishings. If an appliance is missing or faulty, check your tenancy agreement and inventory, then contact your landlord before buying a replacement.