If you mainly want to reheat portions, a basic microwave is a good place to start. If you want to cook food in a dish, compare mini ovens; for one-pot meals, consider a multicooker. If you cook in a frying pan or saucepan, only look at a portable hob once you’ve checked the space available, the clearances specified in the manual and the rules for your accommodation.
You mainly reheat ready-made portions and want to check that your containers fit inside the appliance without cluttering your kitchenette. UFC-Que Choisir describes a microwave as a way to reheat food and also discusses models with a grill.
You regularly cook in a saucepan or frying pan and need to check whether your accommodation allows you to use a portable hob. Tefal recommends portable induction for this type of cooking; you’ll also need to check the power requirements and the electricity supply available.
You’re deciding between cooking food in an oven cavity and preparing it in a cooking pot. Severin lists a 9 L mini oven, while Moulinex offers a 3 L multicooker. The type of container you use and the cooking functions you need can help you choose between them.
Start with the type of meal you prepare most often, then check that the appliance, your cookware and the space available are all suitable for that use.
| Priority | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Check the size of your containers, the appliance’s external dimensions and the clearances specified in the manual. | If I mainly want to reheat or defrost portions in a kitchenette, I check that my containers fit inside the appliance and that there’s enough space around it. Around 33 % of consumers prioritise reheating. |
| Cooking in a frying pan | Check that your cookware is compatible, the number of cooking zones, the stated power rating and the electricity supply conditions in your accommodation. | If I cook in a saucepan or frying pan, I check that my cookware is suitable and that I’m allowed to use the appliance in my accommodation. Around 25 % of consumers prioritise this type of cooking. |
| Oven cooking | Compare the oven cavity dimensions with those of your dishes, and check the cooking modes available on the model you’re considering. | If I want to cook a gratin or another dish in a baking tin, I measure my dish rather than relying on the stated capacity alone. Around 25 % of consumers prioritise oven cooking. |
| Cooking in a pot | Check that the capacity suits your portions, which cooking modes are actually available, how much space you need to open the lid and how to clean the pot. | If I prepare recipes in a cooking pot, I compare its capacity with my usual portion sizes and check that it has the cooking modes I need. Around 17 % of consumers prioritise cooking in a pot. |
The capacity of a mini oven or cooking pot doesn’t tell you whether your dish or baking tin will fit inside.
Measure your containers and the space where you plan to put the appliance, then check the clearances specified in its manual.
If your baking tin doesn’t fit, you may have to buy another one.
The appliance’s power rating, the electrical installation and the rules for your accommodation are separate things to consider. Promotelec warns that overloading an extension lead can cause it to overheat and create a risk of a short circuit.
Read the manual and check the conditions for using the appliance in your accommodation before buying a portable hob. Don’t assume that a socket or extension lead is suitable.
The equipment required for a furnished rental covered by the cited French decree isn’t automatically the same as that provided in every home or type of temporary accommodation.
Check the inventory and the rules that apply to your accommodation before choosing a new appliance.
Checking what’s already provided can help you avoid unnecessary spending and taking up space with an appliance you already have.
The range includes basic microwaves as well as models with additional functions. Samsung describes the MS23K3513AK/EF as a 23 L solo microwave.
The range includes mini ovens in various capacities; the TO 2052 is listed at 9 L.
The Cookeo range includes multicookers with a cooking pot. Moulinex lists a capacity of 3 L for the Cookeo Touch Mini CE922110.
Tefal offers portable induction hobs for cooking with a saucepan or frying pan. The Everyday Slim IH210801 is a single-zone model.
The products below are for reheating in a microwave and cooking in a mini oven when space is limited. They don’t cover multicookers or portable hobs.
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If you want to reheat or defrost portions in a small space, this solo model is worth comparing.
Capacity: 20 L. Power: 700 W. Six power levels and a defrost function. Stated dimensions: 44,6 × 36,3 × 24,3 cm.
A solo model can’t replace frying-pan cooking or all the functions of an oven.
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If you want to oven-cook small dishes, compare the cavity dimensions with those of your dishes.
Capacity: 10 L. Adjustable temperature from 100 to 230 °C and a 60-minute timer. Stated dimensions: 36,5 × 26 × 22 cm. Supplied with a wire rack and baking tray.
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Designed for reheating meals in temporary accommodation, this 20 L microwave is described as suitable for smaller spaces.
Capacity: 20 L. The description lists dial controls.
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If you want to prepare several parts of a meal, the description lists two independent cooking zones.
Stated capacity: 23 L. The product description lists 15 programmes and synchronised cooking across both zones.
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If you want to reheat or defrost portions, compare its dimensions with the space available in your home.
Capacity: 19 L. Power: 700 W. Five power levels, a defrost function and a 245 mm turntable. Stated dimensions: 440 × 319 × 259 mm.
For reheating and defrosting, start by comparing basic models. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes these uses from grill functions. If you want to cook in a frying pan, look at a suitable cooking appliance rather than assuming a solo microwave can do the same job.
Measure the recess and check the manual for the specific model. Samsung gives general guidelines of at least 10 cm behind and at the sides, and 20 cm above, while noting that clearances vary by model. These measurements don’t mean every microwave can be installed in every recess.
Compare the hob’s stated power rating with its manual and the electricity supply conditions in your accommodation. Promotelec warns about the risk of overloading and overheating extension leads. If you’re unsure about the capacity or condition of the electrical installation, get it checked rather than assuming a socket is suitable.
Check the inventory first. For a furnished rental covered by the cited French decree, the minimum equipment includes a hob and an oven or microwave oven. This doesn’t mean that the same rules apply to every type of temporary accommodation or residence.
In France, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader, according to the Ministry of the Economy and Finance. It’s separate from an optional commercial warranty. Keep your purchase details and contact the seller to make a claim.