Renters or students without an oven
A countertop mini oven lets you bake or cook dishes in a tin without needing a built-in appliance. You’ll still need room for the appliance, the ventilation clearances and the dishes you use.
Who is each option best suited to?
Households that mainly cook in a pot
For rice, slow-cooked dishes, meals with sauces or steamed food, a multicooker is a better match for everyday cooking than an oven designed for larger dishes.
Households looking to combine two cooking methods
An appliance that combines pressure cooking and air frying can cover both needs. Before giving it a permanent home, check its weight, dimensions and how its functions work.
What should you check before choosing?
Start with the meals you cook most often, then see how the appliance type fits your dishes, worktop and available power connection.
| Factor | What to check | What suits my needs |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking method | Identify the modes your recipes need: oven and grill settings for a dish you want to brown, or cooking in a pot for rice, steaming and slow-cooked dishes. For a combination appliance, check that you’ll genuinely use both sets of functions. | I often make quiches or bakes in a dish: a mini oven is a more direct fit for this. If most of my meals are cooked in a pot, I’ll look at multicookers instead. |
| Capacity and space | Compare a mini oven’s internal dimensions with your tins, then check its external dimensions against the space available. For a multicooker, distinguish the stated capacity from the usable amount specified in its instructions. | My dishes need to fit inside the appliance without it taking over the entire worktop. Customer reviews published by Darty for the Optimo 33 L report that some tart tins don’t fit, despite the stated capacity. |
| Cleaning | Check how easy it is to reach the inside, trays and glass door of a mini oven, or read the cleaning instructions for a multicooker’s pot and lid. Follow the manual before removing any parts. | If I often cook food that splatters fat, I want to be able to clean accessible surfaces without a complicated process. |
| Installation | Check the manual for the exact model’s power requirements, connection, supporting surface and ventilation clearances. A compact built-in oven is only an option if your home already has a suitable space and installation. | In a kitchenette where no work is planned, I need to be able to set up a countertop appliance in line with its instructions. If I’m unsure about the socket or circuit, I’ll ask a professional for advice. |
What mistakes should you avoid?
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Relying on the capacity in litres alone
Capacity alone won’t tell you how wide or deep the space is for a tin. Buyers of the Optimo 33 L say in reviews published by Darty that some tart tins don’t fit.
Measure the dishes you use regularly and compare them with the model’s internal dimensions. Check separately how much space is needed around the appliance.
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Choosing a cooking pot when you mainly make bakes
A multicooker’s programmes won’t necessarily give you the cavity and grill needed for a large dish. Moulinex, for example, lists oven and grill modes for its Optimo 33 L mini oven.
Make a note of the meals you cook most often before deciding between a mini oven and a multicooker.
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Assuming a combination appliance will be compact
Combining several functions doesn’t guarantee a smaller footprint. Que Choisir, for example, notes that the Moulinex Cookeo Infinity it tested weighs 12 kg.
Check the weight and dimensions of the model you’re considering, as well as the space needed to handle its accessories.
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Choosing a socket or extension lead without checking
Power requirements and connection instructions vary by appliance. Requirements for fixed electrical installations are no substitute for the instructions supplied with a countertop appliance.
Read the instructions for the exact model before buying. If your existing installation doesn’t seem suitable, have it checked rather than trying to modify it yourself.
One brand, several types of appliance
Moulinex offers Optimo mini ovens and Cookeo multicookers. Check the capacity and functions of each model individually.
Moulinex
The documented range includes countertop mini ovens for cooking in a cavity and Cookeo appliances for meals prepared in a pot, including a model that combines pressure cooking and air frying.
- Moulinex and Darty product listings make it easy to compare the capacities and cooking modes of several Optimo mini ovens.
- These functions don’t make the appliances interchangeable: Que Choisir notes that the Cookeo Infinity it reviewed weighs 12 kg and has a slow air-frying function.
Countertop appliances for different needs
These Joybuy options include mini ovens for cooking in a cavity, appliances that combine cooking in a pot with air frying, and a multicooker for meals made in a pot. Compare their features with the dishes you prepare before choosing.
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Black+Decker BXOV4500E mini oven, 2000 W
Worth considering if you cook in dishes rather than a pot. Its stated power is 2000 W. Compare the dimensions of your dishes with the oven cavity, and check the manual for connection and clearance requirements.
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Black+Decker BXOV3000E mini oven, 1500 W
Another countertop option for dishes that need an oven. Its stated power is 1500 W. Check the internal and external dimensions, then read the model’s installation and connection instructions.
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Cecotec GM H Deluxe Fry 6 L, with air-fryer lid and built-in scales
This is an option for meals cooked in a pot if you’d also like an air-fryer lid. It won’t necessarily replace an oven for a large baking dish. Check how much space it takes up with its accessories, and read the electrical instructions in the manual.
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Instant Pot Duo Crisp 7.6 L
If you want to switch between cooking in a pot and using an air-fryer lid, check that both options suit the meals you make. The stated capacity is 7.6 L. Check how much space the appliance and its lids need, along with the temperatures and setup instructions in the relevant manual.
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Instant Pot Rio 3.8 L Sea Salt
Worth considering if you mainly cook meals in a pot rather than in a baking dish. The stated capacity is 3.8 L. Check the appliance’s size, connection requirements and functions against the recipes you make.
Frequently asked questions
Can a multicooker replace a mini oven?
Not for every dish. A multicooker is suited to meals cooked in a pot, while a mini oven has a cavity for pizzas, tarts or bakes in a dish, provided the dish fits. Choose based on the meals you cook most often.
How can I tell if my dish will fit in a mini oven?
Measure your dish and compare its dimensions with the cavity of the exact model, rather than relying on its capacity in litres. Darty lists a cavity size of 32.5 × 24.5 × 22.6 cm for the 19 L Moulinex Optimo OX444810. Also check how much room you’ll need to put the dish in and take it out.
How do I check the connection requirements for a countertop appliance?
Read the power requirements and connection instructions in the model’s manual, then check that they’re compatible with your existing installation. Promotelec distinguishes the requirements for fixed installation circuits; these alone don’t provide connection instructions for every countertop appliance. If you’re unsure about the socket or circuit, consult a professional.
Is the CE marking enough to choose an appliance suitable for a kitchenette?
No. According to the DGCCRF, the CE marking shows that the manufacturer declares the product meets the applicable requirements, but it isn’t a certification mark. You still need to check the dimensions, connection and ventilation instructions for the model you choose.
What should I check when it comes to cleaning a mini oven?
Check the manual for instructions on cleaning the cavity, racks, trays and door. Don’t assume the glass can be removed. For the interior walls, Que Choisir recommends using a sponge with washing-up liquid, then rinsing and drying, and advises against abrasive sponges.