When choosing a hob, start with the way you usually cook and the connections available. Induction requires cookware with a ferromagnetic base, while a ceramic hob may suit you if you want to keep pans that aren’t induction-compatible. An oven is ideal for roasting, grilling or cooking on several shelves; a microwave is mainly useful as an additional appliance for reheating and defrosting. Before replacing anything, check the dimensions and electrical requirements of each appliance separately.
You want to replace your hob without refitting the whole kitchen. First, measure the worktop cut-out, check the connection available and note which pans you want to keep. For the installations covered by Promotelec’s guidance, the hob circuit should be checked separately from the oven circuit.
If you often use several pans or large cookware, check the number and layout of the cooking zones. If you cook several dishes in the oven at once, check the shelf positions and cooking modes specified in the instructions for your chosen model.
If you mainly reheat food, defrost ingredients or cook small portions, consider whether an additional microwave would be useful and how much space it would take up. When assessing energy use, ADEME recommends considering kitchen appliances in terms of how they are used, rather than treating a hob, oven and microwave as interchangeable.
First check anything that could prevent installation. Then choose between hob cooking, oven cooking and reheating based on the meals you prepare.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Installation and dimensions | Measure the worktop cut-out or housing and compare the existing connection with the requirements in the instructions. For the installations it covers, Promotelec distinguishes between the hob circuit and those that can supply an oven. | If you’re replacing an appliance without refitting the kitchen, first check that the new model will fit and can be connected. Around 33% of consumers rank this compatibility as their top priority. |
| Hob cooking | Check that the cooking zones suit your cookware. For induction, make sure the pans have a ferromagnetic base, as UFC-Que Choisir advises. | If you often use several pans for the same meal, the layout of the cooking zones and the responsiveness you’re looking for will influence your choice. Around 27% of consumers give hob cooking top priority. |
| Oven cooking | Compare the capacity, the cooking modes you’ll actually use and the shelf positions available on the model. To assess energy use, compare the labels of similar ovens. | Roasts, grilled dishes and baking call for functions that reheating alone can’t provide. Oven cooking is the main priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Reheating and small portions | Decide whether you mainly want to reheat or defrost food, then measure the space available for an additional microwave. | If a meal mainly involves reheating a portion, you don’t need to switch on a large oven for the job. Around 13% of consumers prioritise this type of use. |
UFC-Que Choisir points out that induction requires cookware with a ferromagnetic base, so incompatible pans won’t work on this type of hob.
Check for the induction symbol or test the base of each pan with a magnet before choosing a model.
Keeping to your usual cooking habits may mean replacing some of your cookware.
For the installations covered by its guidance, Promotelec specifies a dedicated 32 A circuit for an electric cooker or hob. This is a guide only: you still need to check the actual installation and the appliance instructions.
If there’s no circuit, you’re unsure about it or it keeps tripping, ask a qualified electrician to check the installation rather than using an adaptor.
ADEME’s annual figures are based on different cycle assumptions for each appliance. They don’t predict how much energy your own recipes will use.
When choosing between a hob, oven and microwave, start with the tasks you actually do. You can also compare the available energy-use information for similar models.
Pyrolytic or hydrolytic cleaning may influence your choice, but it won’t tell you whether the oven will fit the housing or has the cooking modes you need.
First check the built-in dimensions, connection, capacity and cooking functions you’ll use. Then compare models based on how easy they are to clean.
Worth considering for induction hobs, especially if you’re looking for a compact design or a flexible cooking zone.
Worth considering if you’re comparing different hob technologies or oven cooking modes.
Worth considering for a built-in oven if cooking modes and cleaning features are part of your decision.
These models are for anyone choosing an induction or ceramic hob for home cooking. Check how they’ll fit your worktop and confirm the connection requirements before replacing an existing hob.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a built-in induction hob for regular cooking. The product title gives a width of 60 cm. Before replacing your hob, check the cut-out, circuit and compatibility of your cookware.
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The four zones and Bridge function listed in the title may appeal if you use several pans or a large pot. Check the cut-out dimensions in the instructions, along with the power supply required and cookware compatibility. The dimensions given for this model need careful checking.
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Consider this hob if you’d prefer a four-zone ceramic model to induction. Before replacing your existing hob, compare the worktop cut-out and connection requirements with your installation.
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This four-zone hob is worth comparing with other built-in ceramic models. Check the cut-out and have the power rating and connection requirements for the exact model confirmed: the power information given for this model doesn’t match.
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Worth comparing if you’re looking for four induction zones with a Boost function and timer, as stated in the product title. Before buying, check the cut-out, connection requirements and the base of your cookware.
Yes, as long as the new hob fits the cut-out and the connection available. You don’t need to replace the oven for this reason alone. In the installations described by Promotelec, the hob and oven have separate dedicated circuits; still, check the actual setup in your kitchen.
They need to have a ferromagnetic base. UFC-Que Choisir recommends checking that your cookware is compatible. Look for the induction symbol or test the base with a magnet before changing your hob.
Call a qualified electrician if a circuit needs to be installed or altered, you’re unsure whether it’s suitable or the installation keeps tripping. In every case, compare the requirements in the appliance instructions with the connection in place. Promotelec’s guidance for certain circuits doesn’t replace this check.
Check their energy labels and product information, then compare ovens with similar types and capacities. The European Union’s Your Europe portal presents the energy label as a way to compare appliances; how often you actually use the oven also matters when choosing.
Not for every recipe. A microwave is mainly useful for reheating, defrosting and some small dishes. If you want to roast, grill, bake or cook several dishes on different shelves, look for an oven with the functions you need.