If your studio flat doesn’t have a built-in oven, choose a countertop oven if you mainly cook dishes that need roasting or browning, and a multicooker if you mostly prepare meals in a cooking pot. A combination microwave can handle reheating and some types of cooking, provided its settings suit your recipes. Whichever appliance you choose, check how much space it needs with the door or lid open, the clearance required and its power supply requirements in the model’s instructions.
Quiches, gratins, roast vegetables and baked treats need the right cooking settings, not just a reheating function. The settings listed for Moulinex France’s Optimo mini oven give you an idea of what to look for in a countertop oven. Also check that your dishes will fit inside.
If you mostly cook rice, soups, stews or steamed vegetables, compare multicookers’ programmes and usable capacity. The functions listed by Moulinex France for its models show the benefits of this option, but they don’t guarantee the same results as an oven for crispy dishes.
A combination microwave is worth considering if you often reheat food and also want to grill or use convection. The product information from Whirlpool France and Samsung France shows that functions vary by model, so check the settings, the space available for your dishes and the ventilation requirements.
Start with the meals you cook most often, then make sure your chosen appliance will fit and can be used on your worktop.
Consider this if: you cook gratins, quiches and roasts more often than you need to reheat food quickly.
Bear in mind: you’ll need enough room for the appliance, its open door and the clearances specified in its instructions.
Consider this if: you mostly cook rice, soups, steamed food or stews in a cooking pot.
Bear in mind: its programmes won’t automatically replicate an oven’s dry heat and browning.
Consider this if: you often reheat meals and want additional cooking functions specifically listed for the model.
Know the difference: a microwave with a grill can brown food, but having a grill doesn’t mean it also has convection.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Oven cooking | Check the cooking settings and adjustable temperature, then make sure your dishes and accessories will fit inside. | If I regularly make quiches or gratins, I want to be able to cook and brown my dishes, not just reheat them. Around 31% of consumers prioritise this. |
| One-pot meals | Compare usable capacity, programmes that suit your recipes and the parts you’ll need to clean. | For everyday meals, I prefer to make rice, soups or stews in one pot. This is a priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Reheating and cooking | Check the microwave, grill and convection functions separately, as well as the size of dishes the appliance can accommodate. | I often reheat meals, but would also like to cook from time to time without adding more appliances. Around 23% of consumers prioritise this versatility. |
| Installation and cleaning | Measure the space needed with the door or lid open; check the instructions for clearance, ventilation, power supply and cleaning requirements. | My worktop space is limited, so I need to be able to open, ventilate and clean the appliance without getting in the way of the rest of the kitchen. This is the top priority for around 15% of consumers. |
The GE2626W grill microwave presented by Brandt and the convection models described by Samsung France don’t offer the same cooking settings. So, the presence of a grill alone doesn’t mean an appliance is suitable for the dishes you usually cook in the oven.
If convection matters to you, look for this setting specifically in the product information for the model you’re considering, rather than relying on the word ‘combination’ alone.
The litre capacity describes the cavity, not the amount of worktop space the appliance takes up. The Whirlpool MWF255B product information lists a 25 L cavity; you’ll also need to allow for the door opening and installation clearances.
Measure the width, height and depth of the space, then check that the door can open and that the clearances specified in the instructions can be maintained.
Whirlpool France warns that obstructed ventilation can cause overheating. A space that’s just big enough for the appliance may not be suitable for using it.
Find the ventilation openings on your chosen model and follow the positioning instructions in its manual; don’t place objects against these openings.
The one-pot programmes presented by Moulinex France are designed for dishes such as soups, rice, steamed food and stews. That doesn’t mean gratins, pizzas or baked treats will cook in the same way as they would in a countertop oven.
Before choosing between a cooking pot and an oven cavity, sort your usual meals by the cooking method they need.
These ranges give you a starting point for comparing different cooking methods; functions and installation requirements vary from model to model.
Worth considering if you want to compare an Optimo countertop mini oven with multicookers designed for one-pot meals.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a freestanding microwave that combines reheating with cooking functions.
Worth considering for combination microwaves that bring together convection, grilling and microwave cooking.
Worth considering if reheating and defrosting are your priorities, with a grill as an added function.
These two appliances are designed for preparing one-pot meals in a small space. If gratins, quiches or roasts are your priority, compare the settings on a countertop oven or a convection appliance instead.
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Worth considering for cooking small portions in a pot rather than making dishes that need an oven.
The product name lists a stainless-steel inner pot and two power settings, 300 W and 600 W. Before buying, check the external dimensions, the space needed to use it and the power supply requirements.
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Worth considering if rice and other one-pot dishes suit your everyday meals better than oven cooking.
The product name lists seven cooking functions, a timer, a keep-warm function, a steaming basket and a rice spoon. Check the list of functions against your recipes, then check the model’s dimensions, clearances and power supply requirements.
Not for every recipe: it depends on the model’s cooking settings and the size of the dishes it can accommodate. Whirlpool France and Samsung France list different combinations of functions. If your recipes need convection, check that it’s specifically included, as a grill alone doesn’t mean the appliance has it.
Allow for the clearances specified in the model’s instructions, as well as the space it takes up on the worktop and room to open its door or lid. For freestanding microwaves, Whirlpool France specifically recommends a flat surface and unobstructed ventilation openings.
Compare the power consumption, voltage and frequency shown on the appliance label and in its instructions with your existing electrical installation. Values vary by model, so don’t choose based solely on the cooking power stated, and don’t make changes to your electrical circuit based on product information.
Compare the removable parts and cleaning instructions for a model that suits the meals you make. Moulinex France lists multicookers with parts that need to be cleaned separately, including the cooking pot and inner lid. A cleaning function listed on some Whirlpool microwaves doesn’t replace the cleaning instructions in the manual.