Choose an appliance based on the meals you make most often: a hob for using a saucepan or frying pan, a mini oven for oven-baked dishes, a combination microwave for reheating and some types of cooking, or a cooking pot for one-pot meals. Before you buy, measure the space, check the manual for connection and ventilation requirements, and make sure your cookware is suitable if you’re considering induction.
If you mainly boil, simmer or sear food, start by working out how many cooking zones you need. UFC-Que Choisir advises that induction cookware must be compatible with the hob; you should also check the minimum and maximum pan-base diameters accepted by the model.
A freestanding appliance can bake or grill food without the need for a built-in oven. However, it must be positioned in line with the instructions in the manual, particularly those relating to hot surfaces and clearances.
A combination microwave or a cooking pot can bring several functions to a kitchenette. Choose based on the dishes you usually make: these appliances won’t necessarily replace both an oven and a hob.
Start with the way you cook most often, then check that the appliance will fit on your worktop and is suitable for your cookware and available power supply. Each of the needs below reflects one main priority.
| Priority | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Hob cooking | Choose the number of cooking zones based on how many things you need to cook at once. For induction, check your cookware bases and the diameters accepted by the hob. | If everyday meals mostly involve boiling, simmering or searing, cooking in a saucepan or frying pan comes first; around 27% of consumers prioritise this need. |
| Oven cooking | Compare the appliance and cavity dimensions with your oven dishes, then check the manual for information about hot surfaces and clearances. | If you regularly make gratins or roast dishes without a built-in oven, an oven function is essential; this is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Reheating and cooking combined | Check which modes are included: grill and convection aren’t interchangeable. Measure the space, allowing for the ventilation clearances specified. | Being able to reheat and defrost food, as well as use some additional cooking modes, can help you avoid buying several appliances; around 20% of consumers put this versatility first. |
| One-pot meals | Choose a capacity that suits your usual portion sizes and check that the programmes match the dishes you make. | If you mainly cook rice, soups or stews, a cooking pot could suit your everyday needs; this is the priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Compatibility and power supply | Before choosing induction, check each piece of cookware. For any appliance, compare its connection instructions with the electrical installation in your home. | Being able to keep using your pans or connect the appliance where you plan to use it can determine your choice; around 13% of consumers put these practical considerations first. |
Electrolux recommends checking that a magnet sticks to the base; the accepted diameter also depends on the cooking zone. A pan that doesn’t meet these requirements may not work with the hob you choose.
Test the bases of the cookware you use and compare their diameters with the guidance in the manual.
You may need to replace incompatible pans to cook on this hob.
Having a grill or a microwave-and-grill mode doesn’t mean the appliance can cook using convection. Whirlpool distinguishes between these functions in its guide to combination microwaves.
If your recipes require convection, look specifically for this mode and check the size of dishes the appliance can accommodate.
Whirlpool advises against blocking the ventilation openings on a freestanding microwave. So you can’t decide whether a spot is suitable based only on the space taken up by the appliance itself.
Measure the available space and follow the clearance requirements in the manual for the model you choose.
The Severin TO 2058 manual warns that accessible surfaces can become very hot. This is important if your worktop is narrow or within reach of children.
Choose a stable, clear location in line with the manual, and keep the appliance out of reach of young children.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a freestanding mini oven.
A brand to look at for freestanding microwaves and combination models.
A brand to consider for one-pot meals.
Its induction advice can help you check your cookware before choosing a hob.
These models cover induction hob cooking, one-pot meals and reheating with a grill. Choose based on what you want to cook most often, then check the space available and the instructions for your chosen model.
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Worth considering if you cook in a saucepan or frying pan and want to compare a portable hob with other kitchenette options.
Check that your cookware is suitable for induction, then consult the model’s manual for its dimensions and connection instructions.
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For meals cooked in a saucepan or frying pan on a portable hob.
The product name lists eight power levels, a temperature range of 60 to 270 °C and cookware measuring 12 to 26 cm. Also check that the base of your cookware is suitable for induction and measure the space before buying.
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Worth considering if you prepare small portions in one pot rather than making oven dishes or using several pans at once.
The product name lists a stainless steel inner pot and two settings: 300 W and 600 W. Measure the available space and check the model’s connection instructions.
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For reheating or defrosting when these tasks matter more to you than cooking on the hob.
The functions listed for this model include a grill and a microwave-and-grill combination. If you need convection, check specifically that this mode is included; also follow the ventilation instructions in the manual.
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Worth comparing if you prefer one-pot meals and need a 5 L capacity.
This capacity may be more than you need if you’re cooking for one. Check the appliance’s dimensions, where you’ll place it and its connection instructions before buying.
They’ll work if their bases are suitable for induction and within the diameter range accepted by the hob. Electrolux recommends checking that a magnet sticks to the base; then consult the manual for the model’s accepted dimensions.
No. A freestanding model must be installed in line with its manual, without blocking the ventilation. Whirlpool recommends placing it on a flat surface and keeping the ventilation openings clear; check the required clearances before putting it under a wall unit.
Don’t assume their connection requirements are the same. For installing a fixed hob in a French home, Promotelec specifies a dedicated circuit; for a portable hob, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and check that your home’s electrical installation is suitable.
No. The European Commission explains that the CE marking is a manufacturer’s declaration that the relevant requirements have been met; it isn’t a safety approval issued by an authority. You still need to follow the instructions for connecting, ventilating and positioning the appliance.
Choose a stable spot out of their reach, and follow the clearances in the manual. The manual for the Severin TO 2058 warns that accessible surfaces can become very hot, so bear this in mind while it’s cooking and after you switch it off.