Who are these appliances for?

Home cooks who use oven dishes and tins

If you make quiches, gratins or cakes, start by checking the internal dimensions and the sizes of dishes the appliance can accommodate. Moulinex mini oven examples show that capacity in litres alone doesn’t tell you whether your dishes will fit.

People who want several functions in one appliance

If you want to reheat, defrost and cook using convection with a single appliance, a combination model is worth considering. The models showcased by Panasonic France are also a reminder to allow for a permanent spot and check the turntable and which dishes are permitted.

Home cooks who prepare meals in a pot

If your meals are mainly steamed, slow-cooked or pressure-cooked, a multicooker is better suited to the way you cook. For the Cookeo Touch, the Moulinex guide includes instructions for cleaning the lid and water collector.

How do the appliances compare?

In a small kitchen without a built-in oven, start with the dishes you cook most often, then measure the space available. Before buying, check the manual for the model you’re considering to find out about ventilation and electrical requirements.

Priority What to check Who it suits
Oven dishes and baking Measure your tins and check the permitted dish dimensions, shelves and cooking modes of the mini oven. If I want to keep making quiches, gratins or bakes, I need to be able to use my usual dishes. Around 31% of consumers put this compatibility at the top of their list.
Several functions in one appliance For a combination model, check the turntable diameter, which dishes are allowed for each mode and the appliance’s external dimensions. If I reheat and defrost as often as I cook using convection, I’d rather make room for an appliance that combines these functions. This versatility is the top priority for around 25% of consumers.
Meals cooked in a pot Check the cooking modes, included accessories and how to care for the pot, lid and water collector. For my soups, slow-cooked dishes and steamed vegetables, I prefer cooking in a pot to using dishes that go in the oven. Around 25% of consumers prioritise these kinds of meals.
Crispy results and available space Compare the drawer’s usable size, the appliance’s overall footprint and the space needed to open the drawer. I want to make crispy portions without taking up the whole worktop, even with the drawer open. This comes ahead of other needs for around 19% of consumers.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Choosing a mini oven based on its capacity alone

    The sizes of dishes that fit vary: depending on the model, Moulinex lists a round dish of either 27 cm or 33 cm. With a combination model that has a turntable, you also need to check the shape of the dish.

    Measure your largest dish, including the handles, then compare it with the permitted dimensions and accessories for the specific model.

  • Assuming a multicooker can replace every kind of oven cooking

    Pressure cooking, steaming and slow cooking don’t meet the same needs as making a tart or gratin. A crispy cooking function may also depend on a compatible accessory.

    Make a list of the dishes you usually cook and check which modes and accessories are actually included.

    Moulinex says the Extra Crisp accessory for the Cookeo Touch Wifi is sold separately.

  • Assuming a large capacity means a compact appliance

    Two cooking zones can be useful without reducing an appliance’s width: the Electro Dépôt listing for the Ninja Foodi Flex AF500EU gives its width as 49,6 cm.

    Measure your worktop, allow space to pull out the drawer and follow the clearance requirements in the manual for your chosen model.

  • Forgetting to clean the appliance after pressure cooking

    Some parts being dishwasher-safe doesn’t mean you can skip the rest of the cleaning. The Moulinex guide says to clean the Cookeo Touch’s water collector after every use.

    Check which parts can be removed, how to clean the lid and how much space you’ll need to let the parts dry.

Brands to consider

Moulinex

Moulinex mini ovens and Cookeo multicookers cater for two distinct uses: cooking dishes in the oven and preparing meals in a pot.

  • Moulinex says its 26 L Activys compact oven fits a 33 cm round or 39 cm oval dish; a Principio mini oven fits dishes measuring 27 cm and 30 cm respectively.
  • For the Cookeo Touch Wifi, check that the Extra Crisp accessory is compatible and whether it’s included.

Panasonic

Depending on the model, Panasonic combination ovens bring together microwave, grill and convection functions in a worktop appliance.

  • Panasonic France lists the NN-CD88QS among its models, with a 360 mm turntable.
  • According to Panasonic France, the NN-C69KSM is 520 mm deep and weighs 22,2 kg. Check where it will go before choosing this size.

Ninja

Ninja air fryers with separable cooking zones may suit people who want to prepare two parts of a meal in the same appliance.

  • The Electro Dépôt listing for the Foodi Flex AF500EU gives its capacity as 10,4 L and notes that it has a removable divider.
  • The same listing gives its width as 49,6 cm. When choosing where to put a family-sized model, its dimensions matter just as much as its capacity.

Worktop appliances on Joybuy

These appliances offer three ways to cook without a built-in oven: an air fryer for cooking in a drawer or container, a multicooker for meals made in a pot, and a mini oven for dishes that go in the oven. Check the usable dimensions and manual for each model against your recipes and available worktop space.

Ninja Crispi FN101EUGY air fryer

Ninja Crispi FN101EUGY Air Fryer

For worktop air frying, check that the containers are suitable for your portions and that the Ninja FN101EUGY is positioned according to the instructions in its manual.

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Ninja Dual Zone DZ300EU air fryer with two drawers

Ninja Dual Zone DZ300EU, 7,6 L, two drawers, metallic grey

The two drawers are useful for preparing two parts of a meal, and the stated capacity is 7,6 L. Also measure the space needed to open them on your worktop.

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Cuisinart Compact Max AFS8OBLE air fryer

Cuisinart Compact Max AFS8OBLE, 7,6 L

This model has a stated capacity of 7,6 L for air frying. Compare the basket’s usable size with the food you plan to cook, and check that you have room for the appliance.

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Instant Pot Classic pressure multicooker, Daydream Blue

Instant Pot Classic 5,7 L, Daydream Blue

This 5,7 L pressure multicooker is designed for meals cooked in its pot, rather than dishes that go in the oven. Follow the manual’s instructions on filling the pot and releasing steam.

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Black+Decker BXOV3000E mini oven

Black+Decker BXOV3000E, 1 500 W mini oven

If you want to keep cooking in oven dishes, compare their dimensions with those accommodated by the Black+Decker BXOV3000E. Its stated power is 1 500 W; check its cooking modes and overall size separately.

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Frequently asked questions

How can I check whether a gratin dish will fit in a mini oven?

Measure its external dimensions, including the handles, then compare them with the dish sizes that the model can accommodate. Moulinex lists different compatible diameters for different mini ovens, so capacity in litres alone isn’t enough to confirm that your dish will fit.

Can a combination oven replace a microwave and a small oven?

Yes, for reheating, defrosting and convection cooking, if these functions are offered by your chosen model and your dishes fit inside it. Check the manual to see which dishes and accessories are permitted for each mode, and make sure you have enough space for the appliance.

Is a multicooker enough to make food crispy?

Not for every dish: its pot-based cooking modes don’t automatically replicate oven cooking. According to Moulinex, the Cookeo Touch Wifi’s air fryer function uses the Extra Crisp accessory, which is sold separately. Check that it’s compatible before relying on this function.

What should I clean after using a Cookeo Touch?

Clean the pot, lid and water collector according to Moulinex’s instructions. Its guide says to clean the collector after every use, and even dishwasher-safe parts don’t mean you can skip these cleaning steps.