You only have one available space
You’ll need to prioritise one cooking function and measure the space required while the appliance is in use, not just the room it takes up when stored.
Who is this choice for ?
You often make slow-cooked dishes
You’re looking for settings suited to dishes with sauce, rice or steamed vegetables, and need to check how much you can actually cook for each recipe.
You cook small portions
You want to roast or reheat a portion and compare usable capacity, the results you can expect and the electricity used for your recipes.
What should you consider in a small kitchen ?
Start with the dishes you want to cook, then check how much space you have and how much the appliance can actually prepare at one time.
Mini oven
Worth considering if : you regularly make oven-baked dishes, pastries or grilled food. Moulinex lists a 19 L cavity and several settings for the Optimo OX444810.
Bear in mind : the internal capacity doesn’t tell you what size dish will fit or how much space to leave around the appliance.
Microwave with cooking functions
Worth considering if : you often reheat portions and would also like to grill or cook using convection in the same appliance. UFC-Que Choisir classifies these separately from solo microwaves.
Bear in mind : check which containers are suitable for each setting, the external dimensions and the clearances specified in the instructions.
Multicooker
Worth considering if : you mainly cook rice, steamed vegetables or slow-cooked dishes. According to Moulinex, the Cookeo+ CE851A10 includes settings for steaming and slow cooking, among others.
Bear in mind : a 6 L bowl doesn’t mean you can fill it with 6 L of food. UFC-Que Choisir gives a 4 L cooking limit for this Cookeo, which varies by recipe.
Air fryer
Worth considering if : you often cook small portions that need roasting or crisping. Philips lists a capacity of 3.2 L for the NA210/00.
Bear in mind : check the amount that suits your portions and the space needed to remove the drawer.
Portable hob
Worth considering if : you cook in a saucepan or frying pan and want to put the hob away after use. Tefal lists a maximum power of 2,100 W for the Everyday Slim IH2108E1.
Bear in mind : a single cooking zone limits how much you can cook at once, and induction requires compatible cookware. Maximum power doesn’t tell you how much electricity a meal will use.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who should pay most attention ? |
|---|---|---|
| Space while in use | Measure the space, allow for the door or drawer to open, and check the clearances specified for the exact model. | If my worktop is narrow, I also measure the space needed once the appliance is open. Space while cooking is the top priority for around 28% of the consumers concerned. |
| Settings and usual meals | Make a list of a few meals you cook regularly and check which settings are available and what steps you’ll still need to do yourself. | If I mainly make slow-cooked dishes, rice or reheated portions, I check for settings that suit those meals. The type of cooking is the top priority for around 22% of the consumers concerned. |
| Usable capacity | Check the size of your dish, the amount you plan to cook and the fill limit for your chosen recipe or setting. | If I’m cooking for several people, I check how much I can prepare at once rather than relying on the stated capacity. The portion you can actually cook is the top priority for around 22% of the consumers concerned. |
| Electricity used per recipe | Compare kWh for the same recipe and quantity. For a small quiche, UFC-Que Choisir measured an average of 36% less electricity used by the air fryers it tested than by the mini oven, for the same quantity ; this result can’t be applied to other recipes or models. | If I want to compare the electricity used for the dishes I actually cook, I look for measurements taken under comparable conditions. Energy use per meal is the top priority for around 17% of the consumers concerned. |
| Cleaning and storage | Check how easy it is to reach the parts that need cleaning and follow the care instructions for the model. | For an appliance I use regularly, I consider how easy it is to clean and keep in good condition. Cleaning and storage are the top priorities for around 11% of the consumers concerned. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing stated capacity with the amount you can actually cook
A bowl’s capacity doesn’t necessarily match the amount a recipe allows you to put in it. For the Cookeo, listed as 6 L, UFC-Que Choisir gives a cooking limit of 4 L, which varies by recipe.
Check the fill limit for your chosen setting and the dimensions of your dishes before comparing stated capacities.
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Buying two appliances for the same small cooking tasks
An air fryer can roast some foods, but that doesn’t mean it can replace a mini oven for every size of dish or use.
Compare your recipes and usual quantities before buying both appliances.
Two appliances also take up more storage space, even when their uses overlap.
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Treating the wattage as a measure of electricity use
Maximum power alone doesn’t tell you how much electricity it takes to finish a recipe.
To compare two options, look for kWh measurements taken for the same dish and quantity.
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Measuring the appliance only when it’s closed
Opening a door or removing a drawer requires extra space as well as room for the appliance itself.
Compare your kitchen measurements with the dimensions and instructions in the guide for the exact model, then check the specified electrical supply.
Brands associated with the appliances featured
Moulinex
The models featured illustrate two different uses : oven cooking with the Optimo OX444810 and bowl-based cooking with the Cookeo+ CE851A10.
- Moulinex lists several settings for the 19 L Optimo and the Cookeo+.
- For the Cookeo, listed as 6 L, UFC-Que Choisir gives a cooking limit of 4 L, which varies by recipe.
Samsung
The MC28M6035CK/EF is an example of a microwave with a grill and convection cooking.
- Samsung says the turntable can be switched off to make it easier to fit some large square dishes.
- This feature doesn’t mean every dish is suitable for every setting : check the dimensions and installation instructions.
Philips
The Series 2000 NA210/00 is an option to consider for cooking small portions with hot air.
- Philips lists a 3.2 L capacity and several cooking settings for this model.
- The manufacturer’s listed settings alone don’t tell you what quantity is suitable for each recipe.
Tefal
The Everyday Slim IH2108E1 is a portable option for cooking on a single induction zone.
- Tefal lists a maximum power of 2,100 W for this model.
- This power rating doesn’t tell you how much electricity a meal will use, and induction requires compatible cookware.
Appliances available on Joybuy
This selection covers several ways to cook in a small space : mini ovens, microwaves, air fryers, multicookers and portable induction hobs. Choose based on the meals you usually make, then check the space needed and the instructions for the exact model.
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HOMCOM 10 L electric mini oven
Worth considering for small oven-baked dishes : the description mentions a 22 cm pizza or four slices of bread.
Stated capacity of 10 L, adjustable temperature from 100 to 230 °C and a 60-minute timer. Check the dimensions and required clearances in the instructions for the model.
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Hkoenig VIO9, 25 L freestanding microwave
Worth considering if you’re looking for a countertop microwave for everyday reheating and cooking.
The product name lists a capacity of 25 L and a power rating of 1,000 W. For microwave mode, use only microwave-safe containers and keep metal out of the cavity.
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Philips NA210/00 Series 2000, 3.2 L air fryer
Worth considering for cooking small portions with hot air. Philips lists several cooking settings for this model.
Stated capacity of 3.2 L. Check what quantity suits your portions and how much space you need to remove the drawer.
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KitchenCook Model Kyoto White, 2 L multicooker
Worth considering if you want a multicooker with a stated 2 L capacity for bowl-based cooking. Check what quantity is actually suitable for your meals.
The product information says to leave 40 cm clear above the appliance and 10 cm at the sides. Hot steam escapes during use : allow for these clearances when choosing where to place it.
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IAGREEA DF200-14V10, portable induction hob
Worth considering if you cook in a saucepan or frying pan and want to put the hob away after use.
The product title lists 2,000 W, eight power levels and a temperature range of 60 to 270 °C. Use induction-compatible cookware with a flat base measuring 12 to 26 cm.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if an appliance will really fit in my small kitchen ?
Measure the space with the appliance in use, including room to open the door or remove the drawer. Before deciding where to put it, also check the clearances specified in the instructions for the exact model.
Can a combination microwave do more than reheat food ?
Yes. Depending on the model, it may also offer grilling or convection cooking. UFC-Que Choisir recommends choosing containers based on the setting you use : metal isn’t suitable for microwave mode.
How can I compare the electricity used by two appliances ?
Compare kWh measurements for the same recipe and quantity. ADEME’s annual figures cover appliance categories and average usage, so they can’t by themselves predict how much electricity two compact models will use when used differently.
Can I plug several cooking appliances into an extension lead ?
Check the extension lead’s rated power and the power of the appliances used at the same time, without exceeding the stated limit. Legrand points out that an extension lead has a limited power rating ; always follow the electrical instructions for each appliance too.