To cook a main dish and a side at the same time when they need different cooking times or temperatures, choose two drawers with independent settings. Check the size of each drawer and whether the appliance can synchronise the finish times. A large basket is better suited to cooking a bigger quantity, while a flexible model lets you switch between one large zone and two separate zones. A convection mini oven is worth considering if you mainly cook oven dishes on several shelves. In every case, don’t rely on the stated capacity alone: check the usable dimensions, overall footprint and cleaning requirements.
If the two dishes need different settings, independent drawers can cook them at the same time. Check that each basket has enough room for your portion, and look for a synchronisation function if you want both dishes to be ready together.
For a large item or a big quantity of the same food, the shape and usable capacity of a single basket matter more than the number of cooking zones. UFC-Que Choisir recommends choosing capacity according to the portions you actually prepare.
A vertical appliance, a flexible model or a mini oven can each take up space in a different way. Compare their external dimensions and the room needed to open the drawers or door, rather than looking at capacity alone.
Best for: a large batch of one dish that needs to fit in a single cooking cycle.
Bear in mind: a single cavity won’t let you set different cooking settings for the main and the side.
Best for: two foods that need different cooking times or temperatures.
Bear in mind: the capacity is split between the baskets. Synchronising the finish times doesn’t guarantee the same results in each zone, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
Best for: meals that vary between one large dish and two foods you want to cook separately.
Bear in mind: the divider and shape of the basket determine what will actually fit in each configuration.
Best for: oven dishes cooked on several shelves.
Bear in mind: two shelves don’t necessarily mean two independent programmes or a dedicated synchronisation function.
For family meals, start by thinking about the foods you want to cook together, then check whether your portions will fit and how much room you have in your kitchen.
| What to consider | What to check | What consumers say |
|---|---|---|
| Separate settings | Independent time and temperature controls; synchronised finish times if needed. | If my main and side cook differently, I want to be able to start both without forcing them to use the same settings. Around 31% of consumers would prioritise this independence. |
| Room for your portions | The capacity of each zone and an interior shape suited to the foods you usually cook, rather than total capacity alone. | When I’m cooking a large item or several portions, I’d rather not have to cook in multiple batches. Around 31% of consumers would put usable capacity first. |
| Overall footprint | Width, depth, height and the clearance needed to open the drawers or door fully. | I want an extra cooking option that won’t get in the way of using my worktop. Around 23% of consumers would prioritise the space available. |
| Cleaning and checking results | Which parts of the exact model are dishwasher-safe; independent test results for the specific model if consistency between zones is important. | After a meal with several components, I want the parts to be easy to clean and to be able to check the results in each zone. Around 15% of consumers would put these points at the top of their list. |
Two appliances with similar total capacities may suit different dishes, depending on whether that capacity is in one large basket or split between two. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the importance of usable capacity.
Check that your usual dishes will fit in the zones you plan to cook them in, without overfilling the baskets.
Synchronisation coordinates when the programmes finish. UFC-Que Choisir notes that results can vary depending on the zone used.
If you plan to cook the same food in both drawers, look for an independent test of the exact model and check the food as it cooks.
An appliance may fit on your worktop but still get in the way when you open its drawers or door fully. With a vertical model, you’ll also need to check the available height.
Measure the space you have in mind, including the clearance around the appliance specified in its instructions.
Cooking time, texture and ease of cleaning depend on the model and the food you’re preparing. UFC-Que Choisir assesses these aspects separately, including how both zones perform when there are two.
Distinguish between the features advertised and test results for the model you’re considering, and follow its instructions for quantities and settings.
Moulinex offers several ways to prepare a family meal, with models featuring differently sized drawers, a flexible basket and freestanding mini ovens.
According to Philips, the Series 3000 NA352/24 combines one large and one small basket with a synchronisation function.
De'Longhi describes its EO40123.S mini oven as having a 40 L cavity and convection ventilation.
These models are for anyone considering two compartments to cook a main and a side at the same time. Compare the capacity of each compartment and the coordination features that suit your meals; other designs are also worth considering, depending on what you cook.
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Worth considering if you want to cook a main and a side in separate drawers. Check for a synchronisation function if having both finish at the same time is essential, and make sure you have enough worktop space.
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Its two drawers are worth considering if you want to cook different foods as part of the same meal. Compare the space in each basket with your portions, and check for synchronisation if you want both dishes to be ready together.
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The SyncCook and SyncFinish functions mentioned in the name are worth looking at if coordinating two dishes matters to you. Before choosing, check the capacity of each basket, the external dimensions and the cleaning instructions.
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Consider this vertical design if you want to stack two compartments. The stated capacity is 12 L in total, so check the space in each chamber, the available height and whether you can synchronise the finish times.
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Its two baskets let you keep different dishes separate when preparing a family meal. Check how the Sync function works, the external dimensions and the cleaning instructions for this specific model.
UFC-Que Choisir gives 5 to 6 L as a minimum guide for a household of four. When choosing between a large basket and two drawers, focus on whether each dish will fit in its designated zone: total capacity tells you neither the shape of the interior nor how that space is divided.
No. It’s designed to make both cooking programmes finish at the same time, not to produce identical results. UFC-Que Choisir notes that results can vary between zones. If consistency is essential, look for a test of the exact model.
Check which parts of the specific model are dishwasher-safe and follow its care instructions. Moulinex says that the drawers and plates of the Dual Easy Fry & Grill EZ905D20 are dishwasher-safe, but this doesn’t automatically apply to its other models.
For an appliance sold by a trader to a consumer in France, the legal guarantee of conformity covers non-conformity under the conditions set out by law, as explained by the Directorate General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control. Keep your proof of purchase and contact the seller, describing the fault you’ve noticed. This guarantee is separate from a retailer’s change-of-mind returns policy.