People who prepare several dishes at once
If you regularly use frying pans or saucepans while cooking a dish in the oven, separate appliances let you keep both cooking methods available.
Who is this choice for?
People with a small kitchen
If worktop or cupboard space is limited, compare a combination microwave’s external dimensions, capacity and functions with the dishes you actually prepare.
Households looking to avoid duplicates
If some appliances would only be used occasionally, start by considering how often you cook and reheat food before deciding which ones deserve a place in your kitchen.
What sets these appliances apart?
When equipping an all-electric kitchen, start with the meals you prepare, then consider the space available and the installation requirements for each appliance.
| Priority | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking at the same time | Number of hob zones required; oven and housing dimensions. | When several parts of a meal need to cook at the same time, I want to use a saucepan and prepare a dish in the oven without having to wait. Around 40% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Space and versatility | Combination microwave’s external dimensions, capacity and modes; space to keep available for a hob. | In a small kitchen, I want to combine reheating and some oven cooking without using two spaces. This would be the priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Duplicate functions and electricity | How often each appliance is really used; energy consumption figures given under comparable conditions. | If I reheat food often but rarely use the oven, I don’t want to install an appliance that will see little use. Around 30% of consumers would prioritise this trade-off. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based only on annual energy consumption
ADEME’s figures are based on different usage patterns for each appliance, including 409 cycles a year for an electric hob and 187 for a 63 L electric oven. They therefore don’t, on their own, reflect your everyday meals.
Keep a note of the cooking and reheating you do in a typical week, then use the annual figures as a guide, bearing in mind the conditions they’re based on.
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Assuming a combination microwave can replace every kitchen appliance
A combination microwave can bring together microwave, grill and fan cooking, but its cavity and settings won’t necessarily meet the needs of larger dishes or frying-pan cooking.
Measure the dishes you normally use, check the functions of your chosen model and decide whether you’ll still need a hob.
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Ordering a built-in appliance before measuring the space
An unsuitable housing or a power supply that doesn’t meet the instructions could prevent you from installing the appliance as planned. Promotelec also highlights the importance of having suitable circuits for high-powered household appliances.
Measure the available space and have the power supply requirements checked for the exact model before making any changes to your kitchen.
Adapting the cabinetry or installation may mean extra work before the appliance can be used.
Brands to consider
Electrolux
A brand to explore if you’re looking for a built-in induction hob. Compare each model with your worktop cut-out and installation requirements.
- Electrolux lists four zones and a maximum power of 6 900 W for the KIB60420CK hob.
- For this model, the stated cut-out size is 560 × 490 mm, so measure your worktop before choosing it.
Bosch
A brand to consider if your meals call for a built-in oven and you have a suitable housing.
- Bosch states that the HQA534BB3 can cook on three levels and measures 595 × 594 × 548 mm.
- The features and dimensions of this oven don’t apply to other Bosch models. Also check the installation requirements for the model you choose.
Whirlpool
A brand to compare for freestanding or built-in combination microwaves, depending on the space available and the cooking you have in mind.
- Whirlpool lists the freestanding MCP349WH with a 25 L cavity and microwave, grill and fan cooking functions; the built-in WCW9O7PHTSBF is listed at 52 L.
- These capacities relate to two different models. Check the dimensions and cooking modes of the model you choose rather than assuming they offer the same functions.
Appliances for different needs
Hobs are designed for cooking in saucepans or frying pans; a solo microwave is mainly for reheating, while combination models are worth considering if you want to bring several cooking modes together. If you regularly bake in batches, compare these options with a separate oven too.
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AEG IBS64200CB, semi-flush-mounted, two-phase induction hob (Perilex), 59 cm
Worth considering if your meals call for cooking in a frying pan or saucepan. Before choosing where to install it, check the cut-out, ventilation and connection requirements in the instructions.
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Hisense HI6432BSCWF Hi6, 60 cm induction hob
If you prepare meals on a hob, measure the available space and check the electrical and installation requirements for the exact model.
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Samsung MS23K3513 Quick Defrost, 23 L solo microwave
Consider this if your main need is reheating or defrosting rather than replacing an oven. Check that the 23 L cavity is suitable for the containers you normally use.
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SHARP YC-MC422AE-SB, 42 L 3-in-1 combination microwave
If you want to combine several functions in one appliance, compare its modes with the recipes you usually make. Also check that the 42 L cavity, external dimensions and required clearances suit your kitchen.
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LG MJ3965ACS, 39 L black combination microwave
Compare it with a separate oven if you’re looking to reduce the number of appliances in your kitchen. Check that the 39 L cavity is suitable for your dishes, then consult the instructions to plan its installation and clearances.
Frequently asked questions
Can a combination microwave replace a separate oven?
It can handle some oven cooking if its modes and cavity suit the way you cook and the size of your dishes. A 25 L combination microwave and a built-in oven won’t necessarily meet the same needs when it comes to batch cooking or cooking several things at once. Also compare how much space each appliance needs.
What should I check before buying a hob or built-in oven?
First, measure the cut-out or housing and check the model’s instructions for its power supply and installation requirements. Promotelec notes that high-powered household appliances need suitable circuits. If you’re planning any changes, have the installation checked before you buy.
Is an extension lead enough to plug in an oven and another high-powered appliance?
No. Promotelec advises against connecting an oven and another high-powered appliance to an extension lead plugged into a single socket. Check the connections required by the instructions and make sure the existing circuits are suitable, rather than relying on an extension lead as an installation solution.
Is annual energy consumption enough to compare a hob, oven and microwave?
No. ADEME’s published figures are based on different usage frequencies for each appliance, including 409 cycles a year for an electric hob and 187 for a 63 L electric oven. When deciding what to install, compare these figures with your actual cooking habits and the capacity you need.