Households that often cook on the hob
If you regularly cook with a frying pan or saucepan, compare induction and ceramic hobs, taking into account your cookware, the existing connection and how many zones you’ll use.
Who are these options for?
Households that often prepare small meals
If you often reheat or defrost small portions, work out which dishes really need the oven. ADEME recommends considering the hob or microwave when they’re suitable for the preparation.
Kitchens with limited built-in space
If space is tight, check that a combination appliance covers both your oven and microwave needs, then compare its dimensions with those of the cabinet.
What should you consider before buying?
Start with the meals the appliance will need to prepare, then check the installation requirements and the relevant information to compare models with the same function.
| What matters | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Meals and portions | List the dishes you cook on the hob, those that need an oven and the small portions you reheat. Compare only appliances that can prepare those meals. | If I mostly prepare small portions, I want to avoid switching on the oven when another cooking method suits the dish. Around 31% of consumers put matching appliances to their meals first. |
| Installation | Check the model’s instructions against your home’s circuit, connection and built-in dimensions. If in doubt, have the installation checked. | When moving into a new home, I don’t want to choose a hob or oven before finding out whether it can be installed in the space provided. This is the main consideration for around 31% of consumers. |
| Space and functions | For a combination appliance, measure the space and check the usable capacity, as well as which functions you’ll actually use. | In a small kitchen, I want to combine oven and microwave functions without giving up the dishes I like to cook. Around 23% of consumers prioritise having these functions together. |
| Energy use and lifespan | Compare energy data for models with the same function and a similar capacity. Where available, check information on repairability and durability. | When choosing between two comparable appliances, I want to look at their energy data and any useful information about using them over time. This is the top consideration for around 15% of consumers. |
A wattage rating on its own doesn’t tell you how much electricity an appliance will use to prepare a meal. ADEME also highlights the importance of the dish and cooking method: its example compares 500 g of potatoes cooked in an oven and in a frying pan on an induction hob, but it doesn’t set a rule for every recipe.
Mistakes to avoid
-
Choosing a built-in hob before checking the electrical connection
A new hob won’t necessarily be compatible with the circuit used by your old one. Legrand says that the built-in hobs concerned need a dedicated circuit and suitable protection. An unsuitable connection could create a risk of overheating.
Check the appliance specifications and the existing connection. If you can’t confirm they’re compatible from the instructions, ask a qualified professional to check before placing your order.
-
Switching to induction without checking your pans
Induction requires magnetic cookware. Beko says that non-magnetic aluminium, glass and copper cookware isn’t suitable for this type of hob.
Check the base of your cookware with a magnet or look for a compatibility mark before choosing induction.
You’ll need to replace any incompatible cookware if you want to keep preparing the same dishes.
-
Assuming a combination oven will always use less energy
A study by the French National Consumer Institute, cited by ADEME, found results varied depending on the dishes, models and brands. It found no general energy advantage for combination ovens over the convection ovens studied.
Choose a combination appliance if both its oven and microwave functions suit your meals and the space available. Then compare the data for the models you’re considering.
-
Treating a hob, oven and microwave as interchangeable
They may meet some of the same needs, but they can’t all replicate one another’s cooking methods. An appliance suited to reheating one portion won’t necessarily replace an oven for your other dishes.
List the dishes that need to be cooked in an oven, those you prepare in a frying pan or saucepan, and those you only need to reheat.
Brands to explore by appliance type
These examples can help you explore different appliance types and specific model specifications. Their features shouldn’t be assumed to apply to an entire brand.
Bosch
If you’re looking at an induction hob with flexible cooking zones, Bosch describes a FlexInduction function and a 28 cm zone on the PXE831HC1E.
- The zone dimensions give you a starting point for comparing them with your pans.
- These functions are specific to the PXE831HC1E. Also check that you have suitable cookware and the connection required for the model you choose.
Beko
If you’re looking at a built-in ceramic hob, the Beko HIC64100 specifications list four cooking zones and a stated total power of 5 800 W.
- The specifications let you compare this model with the space available and how you plan to use it.
- The stated power doesn’t measure the electricity used to prepare a meal, and it doesn’t represent every Beko hob.
Electrolux
For a compact space, Electrolux lists built-in dimensions of 450 × 560 × 550 mm and a usable capacity of 44 L for the KVLAE2XH combination microwave oven.
- These measurements help you check the space available and whether it can accommodate the dishes you usually cook.
- Having combined functions doesn’t, by itself, prove that the appliance will use less electricity.
Whirlpool
If you’re comparing the functions of built-in combination appliances, the Whirlpool WCT11A9FHTSSMAF specifications list a capacity of 52 L and microwave power of 950 W.
- The stated capacity helps you check whether your dishes will fit inside the appliance you’re considering.
- Check the dimensions, useful cooking modes and installation requirements for this model rather than assuming its features apply to other models.
Miele
Miele France features built-in ovens that combine microwave and oven-style cooking modes, worth exploring if you’d like to bring these functions together.
- The listed functions can help you shortlist models that suit the meals you prepare.
- Having several cooking modes doesn’t prove that an appliance uses less energy. Compare the data for the models and the dishes you’ll be cooking.
Appliances to compare on Joybuy
These appliances cover microwave cooking, combination cooking and hob cooking, with induction and ceramic options. First choose the function that suits your meals, then check the space available and the installation requirements for each model.
Image unavailable
LG MJ3965ACS, 39 L combination microwave
Worth considering if you want one appliance for microwave cooking and oven-style cooking. Its stated capacity is 39 L; check the dimensions and cooking modes you need for your dishes. Its combination design doesn’t, by itself, mean it will use less electricity.
Image unavailable
LG Electronics MH 6535 gih, 25 L microwave with grill
Worth comparing if reheating and preparing small dishes are your main needs. This 25 L model includes a grill; check that its capacity and dimensions suit the space available.
Image unavailable
SHARP YC-MC422AE-SB, 42 L combination microwave
Consider this if you’re looking for a combination appliance with a stated capacity of 42 L. Compare its dimensions with the space available and its cooking modes with the dishes you plan to prepare. The “3-in-1” description alone doesn’t tell you how much energy it uses per cooking session.
Image unavailable
TOPWISH, 60 cm built-in induction hob, four zones
Worth comparing if you often cook with a frying pan or saucepan and would use all four zones. Before choosing this hob, check that your cookware has magnetic bases, along with the built-in dimensions and the connection required in the instructions.
Image unavailable
HK654850XB Series 3000 ceramic hob, 60 cm
Worth considering for hob cooking if you’re looking at ceramic rather than induction. It’s listed as 60 cm wide; check the worktop cut-out and make sure the circuit is compatible with the model’s instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Can I replace my hob without checking the electrical circuit?
Check the circuit before buying a built-in induction or ceramic hob. Legrand says these installations need a dedicated circuit and suitable protection. Compare the existing connection specifications with the model’s instructions, and ask a qualified professional to check if you’re unsure.
Will my pans work on an induction hob?
Only cookware with a base suitable for induction will work. Beko says that non-magnetic aluminium, glass and copper cookware isn’t compatible; check the manufacturer’s information or test the base with a magnet.
Does a combination microwave oven use less energy than a conventional oven?
Not always. A study by the French National Consumer Institute, cited by ADEME, looked at four combination ovens and ten convection ovens. It found that efficiency varied depending on the dishes, models and brands, with no general advantage for combination ovens. Compare the functions and relevant energy data for the dishes you prepare.
What should I check when installing a built-in appliance?
Check the space dimensions, connection and clearances specified in the model’s instructions. Before ordering, also check what’s included in the delivery, installation and old-appliance collection services on offer. Don’t assume they’re included.