For mainly reheating meals
If you rarely cook from scratch, start by comparing freestanding microwaves for reheating and defrosting. Make sure there’s enough space around the ventilation openings, as Whirlpool recommends in its installation advice.
Which appliance suits your needs?
For cooking in a studio flat
If your meals often involve a saucepan, frying pan or cooking pot, compare a portable hob and a multicooker based on the recipes you make. An induction hob needs compatible cookware, while a multicooker needs room for its lid to open and steam to escape.
For cooking without a conventional oven
If you often make bakes, pizzas or pastries, consider mini ovens and combination microwaves with the functions you need. Check their overall footprint: Severin’s product specifications show that cavity capacity alone doesn’t tell you how much space an appliance takes up.
What should you compare?
Start with the meals you cook most often, then check whether the appliance you’re considering can be installed and used in the space available.
| Consideration | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating | Check the reheating and defrosting functions, then look at the microwave’s overall dimensions. A grill function doesn’t necessarily mean the appliance has convection cooking. | I mainly reheat ready meals and would like to be able to defrost food. |
| Hob cooking | For a portable hob, check the number of cooking zones and the controls. If it’s an induction model, make sure your cookware is compatible. Tefal’s stated range of 300 to 2 100 W applies to its IH210801 model, not to all hobs. | I often make pasta, vegetables and sauces, or cook dishes in a frying pan. |
| Oven cooking | Compare the heating modes on offer and the space the appliance needs. As a guide, Severin gives the dimensions of its approximately 20 L TO 2067 mini oven as 44,5 × 38,5 × 29,5 cm. | I’d like to regularly make bakes, roast vegetables or pastries, not just reheat a meal. |
| One-pot meals | Check for programmes that suit your recipes, the cooking pot’s capacity and the space needed to open the lid. A Moulinex multicooker manual says not to obstruct the steam outlet. | Rice, soup and steamed dishes feature regularly on my menu; I’d rather make them in a cooking pot. |
| Available space | Measure the overall width, depth and height, allowing for the door or lid to open. Check the manual for clearance and ventilation requirements rather than relying on the capacity in litres alone. | My worktop space is limited, and I need to use the appliance without blocking a cupboard or air outlet. |
| Power connection and cleaning | Check the voltage, power rating, plug and installation instructions for your chosen model. Also see how to remove and clean the parts that come into contact with food; don’t assume they’re dishwasher-safe. | I want to be able to plug the appliance in where I plan to use it and clean it in a small kitchen. |
What should you look out for?
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Relying on the word ‘compact’ alone
Two Severin mini ovens show the difference between capacity and the space an appliance takes up: the approximately 20 L TO 2067 measures 44,5 × 38,5 × 29,5 cm, while the 42 L TO 2058 measures 51,5 × 42 × 36,5 cm. You’ll also need to allow for the installation requirements of the model you choose.
Measure the space you have and compare the appliance’s overall dimensions before choosing a capacity.
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Expecting a standard microwave to work like an oven
Features vary by model. For example, Severin describes its MW 7752 microwave as combining microwave, grill and convection functions. A grill function alone doesn’t mean it also has convection cooking.
If you often make bakes, roasts or pastries, check the exact cooking modes and compare mini ovens too.
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Saving space by blocking airflow or steam
Whirlpool advises against blocking the ventilation openings on a freestanding microwave. A Moulinex manual also says to keep the steam outlet on a multicooker clear.
Choose a location that follows the appliance’s instructions. Don’t cover its openings or place it in an unsuitable recess.
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Assuming the power rating means it’s suitable for your electrical connection
An appliance’s stated power rating doesn’t, on its own, tell you whether it’s suitable for your home’s socket and electrical installation. For example, the Tefal IH210801 hob is listed with settings ranging from 300 to 2 100 W.
Check the model’s electrical specifications and instructions before buying. If you’re concerned about the condition of the socket or circuit, have the installation checked rather than modifying it yourself.
Brands to consider
Tefal
The Everyday Slim IH210801 portable induction hob is a useful reference point when comparing portable cooking zones for pan cooking.
- Tefal lists the IH210801 as 45 mm high, with seven heat settings ranging from 300 to 2 100 W.
- These specifications apply to this model only; check that your cookware is induction-compatible too.
Moulinex
Moulinex multicookers offer useful points of comparison for meals prepared in a cooking pot.
- Moulinex describes the MK708810 as a 5 L model for 4 to 5 people, with 25 programmes, a delayed start and a keep-warm function.
- Check that the capacity suits your portions and keep the steam outlet clear, as instructed in the appliance manual.
Whirlpool
Whirlpool’s advice on freestanding microwaves can help you assess where to place an appliance for reheating.
- Whirlpool recommends placing the appliance on a flat surface and keeping its ventilation openings clear.
- Check the dimensions and features of the model you’re considering; the MCP341WH mentioned in the brand’s product information has been discontinued.
Severin
Its mini oven and combination microwave specifications help you compare capacity, dimensions and cooking modes across different models.
- Severin lists the TO 2067 mini oven at approximately 20 L and describes the MW 7752 as offering microwave, grill and convection functions.
- These features and dimensions don’t apply across the entire range; check the specifications and manual for the appliance you choose.
Appliances to compare on Joybuy
These options cover hob cooking, reheating, oven cooking and one-pot meals. Compare each appliance with the recipes you make and the space you actually have available.
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IAGREEA DF200-14V10, 2 000 W induction hob
A portable hob to consider if you cook with a pan on a single cooking zone. The product name lists eight power settings, a temperature range of 60 to 270 °C, seven preset functions and a 3 h timer; it also specifies cookware measuring 12 to 26 cm. Check that your cookware is induction-compatible, and confirm the overall dimensions and connection requirements before setting aside space for it.
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Beko MGC20100B1, 20 L microwave with grill
Worth comparing if reheating is your main priority and you’d like a grill function. The product name gives a capacity of 20 L and a power rating of 700 W. If you want to cook as you would in an oven, check the available cooking modes, as well as the dimensions and ventilation clearances required.
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Taurus Horizon23, 23 L black mini oven
This 23 L countertop oven is designed for meals that need oven cooking rather than simple reheating. Before choosing it for a kitchenette, compare its overall dimensions and the clearances specified in the manual with the space you have available. Also check the heating modes and connection requirements.
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KitchenCook Kyoto, 2 L white multicooker
The 2 L cooking pot could be a good option if you like preparing meals in a single appliance. Compare its programmes with the recipes you actually make, and allow enough space to open the lid and let steam escape, as instructed in the manual.
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IAGREEA MS‑AFX004, 1 L cooking pot appliance
Worth considering for small one-pot meals, rather than as an automatic replacement for a hob or oven. The product name lists a capacity of 1 L, an inner pot made from stainless steel and two settings of 300 W and 600 W. Check its overall dimensions, connection and installation requirements before choosing where to put it.
Frequently asked questions
Is a microwave enough for cooking in a kitchenette?
It may be enough if you mainly reheat and defrost meals, but it won’t automatically cover recipes that need a frying pan or oven. For oven-style cooking, check that the appliance has the functions you need. For example, Severin describes a model that combines microwave, grill and convection functions. A hob, mini oven or multicooker is better suited to other types of meals.
What should you measure before buying?
Measure the available width, depth and height, allowing for the door or lid to open. Then compare these measurements with the appliance’s overall dimensions and the clearances required in its manual. Whirlpool specifically says that a freestanding microwave should be installed on a flat surface, with its ventilation openings clear.
Can you use any saucepan on a portable induction hob?
No. Check that your saucepans and frying pans are induction-compatible, and make sure they’re within the cookware size range accepted by your chosen model. Tefal lists cookware detection as a feature of the IH210801, but that doesn’t mean every pan will work with it.
Can a multicooker replace a hob and oven?
A multicooker can be useful for dishes made in a cooking pot, such as rice, soup or steamed food, but it won’t necessarily replace frying, roasting or grilling. Check the model’s programmes and usable capacity, and make sure there’s enough room to open the lid. A Moulinex manual also says not to block the steam outlet while cooking.