In a barely equipped kitchen, start by choosing what you need to store food and cook, if both are part of your daily routine. Then plan your cleaning around the sink and decide whether the amount of washing-up you generate justifies a dishwasher. A versatile appliance can help you avoid duplicate functions, but whether it’s worthwhile depends on the tasks you do regularly, the space available and any installation requirements.
If you’re moving in with few appliances, start with the meals you plan to prepare and the food you need to store. Refrigeration, cooking and cleaning come before equipment for more occasional tasks. UFC-Que Choisir groups these activities around cold, heat and water.
When worktop and storage space are limited, check how much room you’ll need for installation as well as the advertised functions. A combination appliance can reduce duplication, provided its dimensions, installation method and required clearances suit the room.
If chopping, blending or kneading features regularly in your recipes, a food processor can bring these tasks together. Functions and accessories vary by model, so check they suit the dishes you make before setting aside space for one.
First, list the activities you need to cover, then check each appliance you’re considering against the space and facilities in your home. Versatility is only useful if it avoids functions you’d otherwise need across several appliances.
| Need | What to check | For which consumers? |
|---|---|---|
| Store food and cook | List the food you need to keep chilled and the meals you plan to prepare; choose appliances that cover these needs. | If I’m starting with a barely equipped kitchen, I want to be able to store food and prepare meals before adding specialist appliances. This would be the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Avoid duplicate functions | Compare the functions of a combination appliance or food processor with those of the appliances you already plan to buy; check the dimensions and installation type. | In a small kitchen, I’d rather reserve the available space for functions I’ll use often. Around 29% of consumers would put saving space at the top of their list. |
| Wash the dishes | Assess how much washing-up you generate, then check the space, water supply, drainage and electrical supply. | If washing-up regularly piles up, I want to know whether a dishwasher will fit into my kitchen. For around 24% of consumers, this would be their main need. |
| Compare long-term use | For appliances in the same category that suit your needs, check the energy label and any applicable index shown. | If I expect to use an appliance often, its energy consumption and repairability information will influence my choice. Around 18% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
ADEME recommends checking the energy label when choosing an appliance that carries one. Repairability information does not apply in the same way to every category, so check which indicator is shown for the specific product you’re comparing.
A food processor can make food preparation easier, and a combination microwave can bring together several cooking functions, but neither keeps food chilled. The added appliance could take up space you need for a function you use more often.
Make separate lists of what you need to store, cook, reheat, prepare and clean. Then choose a versatile appliance for frequent tasks that it genuinely combines.
A compatible width alone doesn’t confirm that a built-in hob or dishwasher can be installed. The cut-out, ventilation, electrical supply and, for a dishwasher, the water supply and drainage all matter too.
Measure the space and consult the model’s instructions. Have any necessary changes to the electrical installation assessed by a qualified professional.
Adapting a unit or changing connections can delay installation.
The categories covered by repairability and durability indices differ. The ministry responsible for the environment states that the repairability index applies to dishwashers, among other products, while the durability index has gradually replaced it for televisions and washing machines since 2025.
Check which indicator applies to the model you’re considering, and compare appliances in the same category that meet the same need.
UFC-Que Choisir notes that a dishwasher’s noise level is worth particular attention when the kitchen opens onto the living area.
If that’s your layout, compare the stated noise levels of dishwashers suited to your space and the amount of washing-up you generate.
These ranges illustrate different ways of meeting different needs. Whichever brand you choose, check the instructions and specifications for the particular model.
Worth considering for a fridge or dishwasher when installation requirements are a key factor.
Worth considering if a combination microwave could meet several cooking and reheating needs.
Worth considering if you cook often and want one food processor to handle several tasks.
These appliances cover several stages of equipping a kitchen: storing food, cooking and, if your needs and connections justify it, washing dishes. The combination microwave is for reheating and cooking; it doesn’t replace the other functions.
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For keeping fresh and frozen food in a kitchen you’re equipping. Before choosing it, check that the space, ventilation and socket are suitable for this model.
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An alternative capacity to consider for food storage in a small kitchen. This is a freestanding model with a reversible door and Low Frost technology. Check the required clearances and the maintenance guidance in its instructions.
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Worth considering if you’d like one freestanding appliance for reheating and cooking. Check that its modes suit the dishes you make, then measure the space you’ll need, including ventilation clearances.
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For cooking on several zones if a built-in hob suits your kitchen layout. This model offers nine power levels. Have the cut-out, cabinet ventilation and electrical installation checked, and make sure you have cookware compatible with induction.
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Worth considering if the amount of washing-up you generate justifies a dedicated appliance. Before choosing this E-rated model, measure the space and check the required water supply, drainage and electrical connection.
Start with appliances that meet your regular food storage and cooking needs, then decide whether a dishwasher suits the amount of washing-up you generate and the connections available. UFC-Que Choisir groups kitchen activities around cold, heat and water; a food processor or combination microwave can then cover more specific food preparation or cooking tasks.
No: a versatile appliance only covers the functions designed for that model. A combination microwave can bring together several cooking uses, while a food processor can handle several preparation tasks, but neither replaces chilled food storage or washing dishes. Compare its functions with those of the appliances you’d genuinely use.
Check the dimensions, installation type, clearances specified in the instructions and compatibility with your electrical installation. For a dishwasher, also check the water supply and drainage. Promotelec distinguishes, among other things, the circuits intended for electric hobs from those for other appliances such as ovens and dishwashers. Have the actual setup in your home assessed before making any changes.
No: check which indicator applies to the product category you’re considering. The ministry responsible for the environment states that the repairability index applies to dishwashers, among other products; from 2025, the durability index gradually replaced it for televisions and washing machines. So don’t apply an index from one category to another.