For everyday saucepan cooking
If you mainly need a hob for boiling, searing or simmering, a portable hob could meet your needs without requiring a permanent installation. The Tefal IH2108E1, for which specifications are available, is one example.
Who are these solutions for?
For cooking dishes in the oven
If you make gratins, cakes or roasts, a freestanding oven could be a good fit, provided there’s enough space around the appliance. Moulinex’s Optimo OX444810 and Severin’s TO 2074 are examples of different formats.
For varied meals in a limited space
If most of your recipes are made in a cooking pot, a multicooker offers a different solution from a combined oven and hob. The Instant Pot Duo and Severin TO 2074 are examples of appliances with different functions; their space requirements and uses are not interchangeable.
What should you check before buying?
In a rented home with limited equipment, start by thinking about the cooking you actually do, then check the appliance against the available space and power supply.
| Priority | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| A hob for everyday meals | Number of cooking zones, power rating, compatible cookware, and whether the socket and circuit are suitable. | If I mainly cook with a saucepan or frying pan and want to be able to put the appliance away, a portable hob is my priority. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this type of cooking. |
| Baking or browning food in the oven | Internal and external dimensions, cooking modes, connection, and the clearances specified in the instructions. | When my recipes call for an oven dish, I check that the dish will fit and that the appliance can be positioned in line with its instructions. Around 27% of consumers prioritise oven cooking. |
| Making meals in a cooking pot | Functions actually included, capacity and filling limits, steam release, and the model’s instructions. | If I mainly make soups, rice, steamed dishes or stews, I check the cooking pot’s functions and the portions it can handle. Around 20% of consumers prioritise meals made in a cooking pot. |
| Combining an oven and hob | Usable cooking modes, dimensions, rated power, and whether the connection is compatible with the available installation. | If I can’t do without oven and hob cooking, I check whether a combination appliance can stay in place without getting in the way. Around 20% of consumers want to combine these two cooking methods. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming a portable appliance will work with any socket
Power ratings and connections vary between appliances. The 2 100 W stated for the Tefal IH2108E1 hob and the 2 500 W for the Severin TO 2074 combination appliance are not enough on their own to confirm that your available installation is suitable.
Check the appliance rating plate and the model’s instructions. If you’re unsure about the circuit, or are considering making changes, ask a qualified professional for advice. Get your landlord’s written permission before making alterations to the property.
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Assuming a ‘multifunction’ appliance can replace every cooking method
A multicooker such as the Instant Pot Duo prepares recipes in a cooking pot, while the Severin TO 2074 combines an oven with two hobs. These functions are not equivalent.
Make a list of the meals you regularly prepare and match them to the cooking methods you need before choosing. If you need two different cooking methods, check exactly which ones the appliance offers.
If one appliance can’t meet all your needs, you may need to budget for a second one and find space to store it.
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Relying on capacity without measuring the appliance and its position
The internal capacity doesn’t tell you what size dishes will fit or how much space to leave around the oven. The available space may therefore not suit the way you plan to use it.
Compare the dimensions of the appliance and your dishes, then follow the clearance and ventilation instructions for the model you choose.
Brands and models to know
Tefal
Portable induction hobs for cooking with saucepans and frying pans.
- The manufacturer’s specifications for the Everyday Slim IH2108E1 list one cooking zone and a power rating of 2 100 W.
- A single cooking zone can’t be used to cook in the oven; the specifications for this model don’t describe every Tefal hob.
Moulinex
The Optimo OX444810 is an example of a freestanding mini oven for oven-baked dishes.
- The manufacturer’s information lists a capacity of 19 L and six modes, including fan-assisted heat and grill.
- These functions don’t replace a hob; check the usable dimensions and positioning instructions for the model.
Instant Pot
Duo multicookers are designed for recipes made mainly in a cooking pot.
- For the Duo 5,7 L, Instant Pot France lists pressure cooking, steaming, rice cooking and a sauté mode among its functions.
- The listed programmes don’t guarantee that you can cook in the oven; check the exact model, its functions and any accessories you’ll need.
Severin
The range includes portable hobs and freestanding ovens, including a combined oven and hob.
- The manufacturer’s specifications for the TO 2074 list a 30 L oven with two hobs.
- This model has a stated power rating of 2 500 W and measures 35 × 50 × 42 cm. Check the available space and power supply before choosing it.
Cooking appliances available on Joybuy
These options cover cooking in a pot, on a portable hob and in a freestanding oven for homes with limited equipment.
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Instant Pot Classic Mini 3.8L Electric Pressure Cooker – Daydream Blue
For meals made mainly in a cooking pot, with listed cooking functions including pressure cooking, steaming, sautéing and slow cooking.
Stated capacity: 3,8 L; serves up to 4; 7 listed functions.
When pressure cooking, observe the filling limits and wait for the valve to drop before opening. Steam and hot surfaces can cause burns.
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Plodon 1200W 5L Multifunctional Electric Hot Pot
For cooking in a pot, such as soups, stews or steamed dishes, in line with the uses listed for this appliance.
Stated power: 1200W; stated capacity: 5L; two heat settings and a removable steamer basket listed.
The pot and lid get hot. Unplug the appliance and let it cool before cleaning, and don’t immerse it in water.
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IAGREEA DF200-DTL2520 2000W Electric Ceramic Cooker
For cooking with a saucepan or frying pan on a portable electric hob; the description lists compatibility with several types of cookware.
Stated power: 2000W; two adjustment modes listed.
The surface gets hot during use; don’t move the appliance while it’s switched on.
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Black+Decker Mini Oven BXOV3000E 1500W
For cooking oven dishes without a built-in appliance; the description specifies placing it on a stable, heat-resistant surface.
Stated capacity: 30 L; stated power: 1500W; adjustable temperature and rotisserie function listed.
Allow for the required ventilation space; the interior and accessories get hot during use.
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IAGREEA DF200-14V10 2000W Ultra-thin Induction Cooker
For cooking on a portable induction hob, provided you have the compatible cookware specified for this model.
Stated power: up to 2000W; magnetic, flat-bottomed cookware measuring 12 to 26 cm required; stated power supply: AC 220 V.
Before use, check that the power supply is suitable for your installation.
Frequently asked questions
Can I plug any freestanding appliance into an extension lead?
Not necessarily: the fact that an appliance is freestanding doesn’t mean that your socket or circuit is suitable. Check its power rating and connection instructions, and ask a qualified professional for advice if you’re unsure. Promotelec refers to a dedicated circuit for some fixed cooking installations; this doesn’t mean that all small portable hobs need the same connection.
How should I allow for ventilation and clearance?
Measure the space and follow the distances and ventilation instructions in the manual for the exact model. For a pressure multicooker, also allow for a suitable position for steam release. If the product listing doesn’t include these instructions, ask for the manual before choosing.
Can I add a socket or alter the kitchen without telling my landlord?
Using a portable appliance doesn’t in itself count as altering the property. However, ANIL states that changes to the property or rented equipment require the landlord’s written consent. Don’t have an electrical or gas installation altered without the appropriate professional checks.
If I rent a furnished property, do I have to buy my own hob and oven?
Not necessarily: for a furnished rental covered by the French decree cited by Légifrance, the minimum list of furnishings includes a hob and an oven or microwave oven. Check your tenancy agreement, inventory and the condition of the equipment with your landlord before considering a purchase. This rule doesn’t apply in the same way to an unfurnished rental.
What protection applies when I buy from a professional seller?
In France, the legal guarantee of conformity covers new and second-hand goods sold by a professional, subject to its terms. The DGCCRF states that the limitation period is two years from delivery of the goods; this legal guarantee is separate from an optional commercial guarantee. Keep a record of the exact appliance model and your proof of purchase.