Households that cook on the hob often
For saucepans and frying pans, your choice depends on the heating technology, cookware compatibility and installation requirements.
Which appliances suit which uses?
Households that cook dishes in the oven
The right oven capacity and the cooking modes your recipes need matter just as much as the consumption figure for the mode you use.
Households that reheat portions
A solo microwave may be suitable for reheating and defrosting; other types of cooking depend on the model’s features.
What should you compare before buying?
Start with the meals you prepare, then compare only appliances that can make them. As a benchmark, ADEME gives figures of 115 kWh/year for its most efficient new induction hobs and 200 kWh/year for its ceramic hob reference, based on 409 cycles a year. Its reference for a 63-litre electric oven is 130 kWh/year over 187 cycles. The same page gives a figure of 40 kWh/year for a microwave, but does not specify a comparable number of cycles. These figures do not tell you how much energy one meal takes to cook, or how much you could personally save.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who prioritises it most |
|---|---|---|
| Frequent hob cooking | Heating technology, compatible cookware and the basis used to compare consumption. | When I often cook with a frying pan or saucepan, I want to compare consumption using a consistent measure of usage; around 31% of consumers prioritise the electricity their hob uses. |
| Dishes that need baking | Capacity, conventional or fan-assisted modes, housing dimensions and kWh per cycle for the same mode. | If my recipes need a particular oven capacity and mode, I check these features before looking at consumption; around 31% of consumers prioritise dishes that need baking. |
| Reheating and defrosting | Solo, grill or combination functions, capacity and suitable containers. | For reheating portions or defrosting food, I look for an appliance that suits these tasks without assuming it can replace an oven; around 23% of consumers prioritise these uses. |
| Compatibility and installation | Cookware compatibility, cut-out or housing dimensions, and the model’s connection requirements. | If I want to keep using my saucepans or replace a built-in appliance without changing my kitchen, I check the dimensions and connection requirements; around 15% of consumers put these practical considerations first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Comparing kWh/year figures for different technologies as if they were for the same meal
ADEME’s benchmarks are based on different numbers of cycles for different appliances, so they do not let you directly compare the energy needed to cook the same recipe.
Decide what you want to cook and the result you’re looking for, then compare consumption figures based on consistent usage.
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Confusing a ceramic glass surface with a radiant hob
An induction hob can also have a ceramic glass surface, but its heating method and cookware compatibility are different.
Check the technology listed for the model and make sure your saucepans are compatible before choosing.
If your cookware isn’t suitable for induction, you may need to replace it to keep using it on your new hob.
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Expecting a solo microwave to have a grill or convection function
Solo, grill and combination models don’t offer the same functions; a solo microwave isn’t a convection oven.
Make a list of the recipes you plan to cook and check the functions available on the exact model you’re considering.
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Choosing a built-in appliance based on width alone
Cut-out or housing dimensions and connection requirements can vary between models, even if the advertised width seems suitable.
Before buying, compare your installation measurements with the model’s dimensions and connection requirements.
Depending on the dimensions and connection requirements, you may also need to adapt the cabinetry or installation when replacing the appliance.
Brands and models to know
Bosch
The French-market PUC611AA5E is a useful induction hob reference for cooking on the hob.
- Bosch’s product information specifies a housing size of 560 × 490–500 mm and a connected load of 4 600 W.
- Check the dimensions, connection requirements and cookware compatibility; a brand claim about savings can’t predict a household’s consumption.
Whirlpool
The AKT8090NE-NEW ceramic hob is a useful reference if you want to keep cooking on radiant zones.
- The model’s product information lists four cooking zones, a width of 60 cm and timers.
- Check the full model number, cut-out dimensions and connection requirements against your installation.
Electrolux
The EOF3H40TH built-in oven is a useful reference for recipes that need an oven cavity.
- Electrolux lists a capacity of 72 L, an A+ rating and housing dimensions of 590 × 560 × 550 mm for this model.
- These specifications apply to this model; compare ovens with similar capacities and cooking modes.
Samsung
The MS23K3513AK/EF is a freestanding solo microwave designed for tasks such as reheating and defrosting.
- Samsung lists a capacity of 23 L, an output power of 800 W and an input power of 1 150 W in microwave mode.
- Wattage doesn’t tell you how many kWh a meal will use; this solo model shouldn’t be confused with a convection appliance.
LG
The MJ3965ACS is a useful combination microwave reference if you need more than one cooking mode.
- LG lists a capacity of 39 L and microwave, grill and oven functions for this model.
- Check the space you have available, the accessories and the modes you’ll actually use; these functions don’t prove that it will save energy compared with a separate oven.
Cooking appliances available on Joybuy
The models below suit different household needs: cooking on the hob, preparing dishes that need an oven, and reheating or cooking food in a microwave.
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Hotpoint FI4485PIX, pyrolytic built-in oven
For dishes that need an oven cavity and a choice of cooking modes.
Advertised capacity: 71 L; 16 modes and an A+ rating listed for this model. Make sure a professional carries out the built-in installation correctly.
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Hisense HI6432BSCWF Hi6, 60 cm induction hob
For cooking on the hob, provided your cookware is induction-compatible.
Four zones and a Bridge function are listed. Check that this model’s housing dimensions and connection requirements are suitable for your installation.
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Whirlpool AKT 801-NE, ceramic hob
For cooking on radiant zones, especially if you want to keep using cookware suited to this type of heating.
Four radiant zones are listed. The hob needs a fixed connection, which must be carried out by a qualified electrician; the specified cut-out size is 560 × 490 mm.
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Samsung MS23K3513, solo microwave
For reheating or defrosting portions when the functions of a solo model are all you need.
Advertised capacity: 23 L; the product name lists a power rating of 1 150 W. This solo model does not have a grill or convection function.
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LG MJ3965ACS, combination microwave
Worth considering if you need a combination microwave rather than a solo model.
Advertised capacity: 39 L; microwave, grill, convection and steam functions are listed for this model.
Frequently asked questions
Can you directly compare the kWh/year figures for a hob, oven and microwave?
Not when you’re comparing appliances used to cook the same recipe. ADEME gives figures of 409 cycles a year for its hob references and 187 for its 63 L electric oven, while its microwave reference doesn’t specify a comparable number of cycles. For ovens suited to the same uses, compare the kWh per cycle in the same mode.
How can you check whether a hob or oven will fit in place of your current appliance?
Compare the cut-out or housing dimensions and connection requirements listed for the model with your existing installation. For induction, also check that your cookware is compatible; the dimensions and specifications of one model don’t apply to an entire range.
Is an energy label required for an induction or ceramic hob?
No. The European Commission says energy labelling is required for the domestic ovens concerned, but not for hobs. When comparing ovens suited to the same recipes, look at their capacity and kWh per cycle for each listed mode.
How should you use a microwave with packaged food?
Follow the food manufacturer’s instructions for power and cooking time, and check that the container is microwave-safe. Anses says that heating food thoroughly increases the risk of substances migrating from certain types of packaging.
What warranty applies to an appliance bought in France from a trader?
According to the Ministry of the Economy and Finance, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand or refurbished goods sold by a trader to a private individual. It is separate from an optional commercial warranty.