For oven-style cooking in small portions, consider a mini oven or a microwave that explicitly states it has a fan oven function: a grill alone is not enough. For one-pot meals, look at multicookers or small electric cooking pots; for frying or cooking in a saucepan, consider a portable hob. In every case, check the space available, required clearances and connection instructions for your chosen model before buying.
If you make gratins, baked goods or small portions of roast food without installing a built-in oven, distinguish between a mini oven’s heating elements, a microwave’s grill and the fan oven function on a combination model.
For rice, soups, slow-cooked meals or steaming, compare a multicooker’s programmes with the flexibility of a portable hob. Your choice will also depend on portion sizes and the cookware you want to use.
In a studio flat or temporary kitchen, the space needed to use an appliance matters just as much as the space needed to store it. Compare the dimensions of each model, how its door or lid opens, and the clearances specified in its instructions.
Start with the dishes you plan to make most often, then check that the relevant appliance can be used and stored in your kitchen. If you need both hob and oven-style cooking, you could consider two small appliances, provided you check that you have enough space and follow the electrical instructions for each one.
| Priority | What to check | Who this suits |
|---|---|---|
| Oven-style cooking | Check that the mini oven has heating elements, or that a combination microwave explicitly states it has a fan oven function. Also check that its temperature range suits the dishes you want to make. | If I want to make gratins or bake, simple reheating won’t meet my main need; around 36% of consumers prioritise oven-style cooking. |
| One-pot meals | Compare the capacity and the programmes actually available for rice, steaming, soup or slow cooking. | To make everyday meals without using lots of pans, I prioritise recipes suited to a single pot; this is a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Reheating and browning | Know the difference between a grill and a fan oven function, and check the dimensions of the microwave and the dishes you plan to use in it. | If I mainly reheat or defrost meals, with the occasional bit of browning, my needs differ from those of someone looking for oven-style cooking; around 21% of consumers put this need first. |
| Compact hob cooking | Check the number of cooking zones and, for induction, make sure your frying pans and saucepans are compatible and the right diameter. | If I want to keep cooking in a pan while being able to clear the worktop afterwards, I look for an appliance that’s easy to put away; this is the priority for around 14% of consumers. |
According to the specifications published by Panasonic, the NN-GT21Q has a grill, while the NN-C69K also features a fan oven function. These functions are suited to different baking and roasting needs.
Make a note of the dishes you want to cook, then check the exact model’s product details for the relevant function and temperature range.
You also need to be able to open and use an appliance while maintaining the clearances specified in its instructions. Worktop dimensions alone aren’t enough to confirm it will fit.
Measure the available width, depth and height, then check how the door or lid opens and how much space to leave around your chosen model.
Tefal points out that not all frying pans and saucepans are suitable for induction: in particular, the base needs to be compatible with the cooking zone.
Check your cookware with a magnet and make sure its diameter is suitable for the hob you’re considering.
If your cookware isn’t compatible, you’ll need to replace it to make the same dishes on your new hob.
Power ratings and usage instructions vary from one model to another. Buying a second appliance doesn’t mean both will work together with your available electrical supply.
Check the instructions for each appliance before deciding where to put it and which sockets to use. If you’re unsure about your electrical installation, ask a qualified professional rather than assuming an extension lead or multiway adaptor will be suitable.
The range includes mini ovens worth considering if you’re looking for heating-element cooking in a compact format.
The NN-GT21Q and NN-C69K models illustrate the difference between a grill microwave and a combination microwave with a fan oven function.
The MK708810 multicooker is worth considering for one-pot meals, including soups, steamed dishes and slow-cooked recipes.
The Everyday Slim IH2108E1 portable induction hob is worth considering for cooking with compatible frying pans and saucepans on a single zone.
These Joybuy appliances offer several ways to cook without a built-in oven: oven-style cooking in a mini oven, hob cooking on a portable induction plate, reheating with a grill and small dishes in an electric cooking pot. Choose according to the meals you usually make; one appliance’s functions can’t be assumed to apply to another.
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Worth considering if you want to cook dishes in a countertop oven rather than limit yourself to reheating.
The product name states a capacity of 23 L. Check the external dimensions, clearances and connection instructions before deciding where to put it.
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For cooking in pans without a built-in hob, provided you have cookware that’s compatible with induction.
The product name states 2,000 W, eight power levels and compatibility with cookware measuring 12 to 26 cm. Check the model’s connection and clearance instructions.
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Another countertop oven option for dishes that need to be oven-cooked.
The product name states a power rating of 1,500 W. Measure the space you have in mind and check the instructions for clearance and connection requirements.
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Worth considering if reheating and occasional browning matter more to you than baking or roasting.
The product name states 20 L and a microwave power rating of 700 W. The listed grill function doesn’t mean it has a fan oven function; also check the required clearances.
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For preparing small dishes in a single pot, if you don’t need the functions of an oven or a versatile hob.
The product name states a capacity of 1 L, two settings of 300 W and 600 W, and a stainless-steel inner pot. Check its dimensions and usage instructions before deciding where to put it.
Not for every type of cooking: a grill doesn’t mean the appliance has a fan oven function. Panasonic lists a grill on the NN-GT21Q and a fan oven function on the NN-C69K. If you want to bake or roast, check that the model you’re considering has this function and offers the right temperature range.
They will if they meet the requirements of your chosen hob. Tefal recommends checking that a magnet sticks to the base; also check its shape and that its diameter is suitable for the cooking zone before buying.
Compare its external dimensions with the available space, allowing for the door or lid to open and the clearances specified in its instructions. Sizes vary between models: Panasonic lists dimensions of 440 × 324 × 258 mm for the NN-GT21Q microwave and 520 × 520 × 327 mm for the NN-C69K combination microwave.
Read the connection instructions for the exact appliance and compare its power rating with your electrical installation and the other appliances you plan to use. Don’t assume that a socket, extension lead or multiway adaptor will be suitable. If your electrical installation doesn’t seem suitable, ask a qualified professional for advice before using the appliance.
Check which parts of your chosen model can be removed and which cleaning methods its instructions allow. Moulinex states that the removable parts of the MK708810 are dishwasher-safe; this may not apply to its other models.