Who are these solutions for?

You make dishes that are usually cooked in an oven

For gratins, pizzas and cakes, you need an oven cavity and cooking settings that suit your dishes and tins.

You mostly cook in pans

Soups, rice, vegetables and slow-cooked dishes are regular favourites, or you want to keep using your frying pans and saucepans.

You’re short on space

You often reheat individual portions or want to brown small amounts without making room for a bulky appliance.

What should you prioritise?

If you don’t have a fixed oven, start with the meals you make most often: compact appliances don’t all offer the same cooking methods. Then check how much space you’ll need, which cookware is compatible and what the instruction manual recommends.

Criteria What to check before buying Who is this for?
Oven-baked dishes Compare the oven cavity dimensions with your tins, and check the mini oven or combination microwave’s instruction manual to confirm its cooking settings. If I regularly make gratins or cakes, I need a suitable oven cavity rather than just a reheating function; around 31% of consumers make this their top priority.
Slow-cooked or steamed dishes For a multi-cooker, check the capacity of the cooking pot, the programmes you need and the maximum fill levels. If I mainly make soups, rice or slow-cooked dishes without constantly watching a pan, around 25% of consumers prioritise this type of cooking.
Cooking in a frying pan Check the power of the portable hob and, for induction, make sure your cookware is compatible. I want to keep searing and boiling with my usual cookware; around 19% of consumers prioritise cooking on a hob.
Frequent reheating Know the difference between a solo microwave and a combination microwave: if you need them, grill and fan-assisted cooking must be explicitly listed. If I often reheat or defrost food but also want to cook a dish now and then, this is the priority for around 13% of consumers.
Small portions with a crisp finish For an air fryer, compare the basket size with your portions and check the appliance’s external dimensions. If I mainly want to roast or brown small amounts without giving up much space, around 12% of consumers share this priority.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Confusing a solo microwave with a combination microwave

    A reheating function doesn’t mean the appliance can also grill or cook using fan-assisted heat.

    If you plan to make gratins, check that the model you’ve chosen offers these functions, and measure the space you’ll need to use it.

  • Choosing based on capacity in litres alone

    The stated capacity doesn’t tell you whether your tins will fit in the oven cavity or whether the basket can hold your usual portions.

    Compare your dishes with the cooking space, then measure the spot you have in mind on your worktop.

  • Forgetting about your pans and electrical supply

    An induction hob needs to detect the cookware you use. Promotelec warns that an overloaded extension lead can overheat and create a fire risk.

    Check that your pans are compatible, confirm the appliance’s rated power and follow the instructions in its manual as well as the limits of your electrical installation.

    You may need to replace incompatible cookware.

  • Confusing an extended commercial warranty with your statutory rights

    In France, according to the Ministry of the Economy, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a business to a private individual; an optional commercial warranty does not replace it.

    Before taking out an extended warranty, check what extra services it offers and what it excludes. Keep your proof of purchase and the product description.

Brands to compare by cooking type

Severin

Two models from the brand show how your choice depends on what you cook: a mini oven for oven-baked dishes and a portable hob for pans.

  • Severin lists a capacity of 30 L and power of 1 600 W for the TO 2056 mini oven. Its KP 1071 induction hob is rated at 2 000 W and features pan detection.
  • For the TO 2056, check the manual for the exact model to confirm it has fan-assisted cooking before relying on this setting.

Whirlpool

The freestanding MCP349WH combination microwave is worth considering if you want reheating and other cooking methods in one appliance.

  • Whirlpool’s product information lists microwave, grill, steam and fan-assisted cooking for this 25 L model.
  • Its stated dimensions of 52 × 30,1 × 49,4 cm mean you’ll need to measure the space available and the room needed to use it before buying.

Tefal

The Fast & Delicious CY505E10 multi-cooker is suited to meals prepared in a cooking pot rather than dishes spread across an oven tray.

  • Tefal lists a 6 L cooking pot and pressure-cooking, steaming, slow-cooking and reheating settings for this model.
  • Check the pot’s dimensions and the instructions for each setting: its capacity doesn’t tell you how much space the appliance needs.

Moulinex

The Easy Fry Essential EZ130810 is an air fryer to consider for portions that fit in its basket.

  • Moulinex lists a capacity of 3,5 L, an adjustable thermostat and a timer for this model.
  • Before swapping a mini oven for this appliance, compare the basket size with your usual portions and tins.

An air fryer for small portions

This Joybuy option is for meals you want to brown or roast in a countertop appliance. If you mostly cook gratins in a large dish or use your pans, start by choosing an appliance suited to those dishes.

NINJA FN101EUGY Crispi air fryer

NINJA FN101EUGY Crispi Air Fryer

Worth considering if you want to brown or roast small portions without a fixed oven.

Check that its containers are suitable for the dishes you want to make, then allow for the clearance specified in the manual and make sure your electrical supply is suitable for the appliance.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can an air fryer replace an oven?

Not for every dish: the basket needs to fit the portions, dishes or tins you plan to use. If gratins and baking are a priority, also compare the dimensions and cooking settings of a mini oven or combination microwave.

What should I choose for soups, rice and slow-cooked dishes?

A multi-cooker with the right programmes is suitable for preparing these dishes in its cooking pot. Check its capacity and maximum fill levels, and follow the manual if you use the pressure-cooking setting.

Will all saucepans work on a portable induction hob?

No: check that the hob detects your cookware before choosing it. It lets you cook in a saucepan or frying pan, but it won’t provide an oven cavity for baking a gratin or cake.

Can you plug a compact cooking appliance into an extension lead?

First check the appliance’s power rating, the limits stated on the extension lead and what else is plugged in. Promotelec warns that overloading can cause overheating. You should also follow the manual and check the specifications of your electrical installation.

What rights do you have if the appliance doesn’t match its description?

In France, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity applies when a private individual buys goods from a business, including when the goods don’t match the seller’s description, according to the Ministry of the Economy. An optional commercial warranty doesn’t replace this legal protection.