Start by thinking about the meals you cook most often. A compact multi-cooker is handy for slow-cooked or steamed dishes, while a mini oven or air fryer is better for oven-baked or basket-cooked favourites. If you mostly use a frying pan or saucepan, a portable hob may be a better fit, provided you check which pans are compatible and whether your electrical setup is suitable. In every case, measure the available space and check the instructions for the required clearances.
You want to prepare a variety of meals without leaving several appliances out all the time. The right choice depends on the cooking methods you actually use, as well as how much space each appliance takes up.
A portable hob could suit the way you cook, but an induction hob requires compatible pans. Also check which sockets and circuits are available in your home.
If you usually prepare roast portions, rice or blended drinks, a specialist appliance may be all you need. However, it may not cover your other cooking needs.
List the meals you usually make before comparing features, then measure the space where you’ll use and store the appliance. A multi-function appliance only saves space if its settings match the cooking methods you need.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Versatility for different meals | Compare your regular recipes with the advertised cooking settings; in particular, distinguish between slow cooking, steaming, oven cooking and hob cooking. | If I make a variety of dishes, I’d rather avoid having several appliances without giving up the cooking methods I use often. Around 33% of consumers would make versatility their priority. |
| Size and storage | Measure the external dimensions, and allow for the space needed to open the appliance, the cable and the clearances specified in the instructions. | When I need to keep my worktop clear between meals, the space an appliance takes up during and after cooking matters more than the number of functions. This is a priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Oven cooking or crisp results | Check the available settings, as well as the shape and usable capacity of the oven cavity or basket for the dishes you make. | For bakes, roast foods or small crispy portions, I’m looking for a cooking method my multi-cooker may not offer. Around 20% of consumers would put this at the top of their list. |
| Rice, grains and steaming | Check the bowl capacity and whether it has programmes for the dishes you make regularly. | If rice or steamed vegetables feature regularly on my menu, I mainly want to be able to start cooking without keeping a constant eye on it. This would be a priority for around 13% of consumers. |
| Small batches for blending | Check the jug capacity, which ingredients it can handle and how easy the parts are to clean. | When I mainly make drinks or sauces in small quantities, a suitably sized jug matters more to me than another cooking function. Around 7% of consumers would put this need first. |
The internal capacity doesn’t tell you how much worktop space you’ll need. For example, according to Severin, the Severin TO 2067 mini oven measures 29.5 × 44.5 × 38.5 cm, not including the space needed to open its door.
Measure the space and check the instructions for your chosen model to find out how much ventilation clearance it needs.
Pressure cooking, steaming and slow cooking won’t necessarily meet your needs for a bake, oven cooking or blended food.
Make a note of the meals you cook over the course of a week and start by choosing the appliance that suits your regular needs. Only add a specialist appliance if you’ll use it regularly.
A small kitchen doesn’t guarantee that a suitable socket is available or in the right place. Promotelec draws particular attention to the positioning of sockets near sinks and cooking areas.
Check the stated power, the manufacturer’s connection instructions and your home’s electrical setup. If you’re unsure, ask a qualified professional rather than modifying the installation yourself.
An extra appliance takes up space even if you rarely use it. ADEME recommends considering repairs and appropriate collection options for small electrical appliances.
Before buying another appliance, check whether one you already own can still handle the meals you usually make or could be repaired.
The brand offers mini ovens, multi-cookers and compact blenders for different needs.
The range includes a portable induction hob, a compact air fryer and a rice cooker.
The TO 2067 mini oven’s product information gives you useful details for checking whether it will fit in a small kitchen.
Philips describes the HD9252/90 as a compact air fryer designed for small quantities.
These appliances offer different ways to cook in a small kitchen: using a saucepan on a portable hob, a multi-cooker, a basket or a mini oven. Start by choosing the cooking method that suits your meals, then check the space available and the installation instructions for your chosen model.
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Worth considering if you mostly cook using a frying pan or saucepan and want to be able to put the hob away after use.
The product name lists eight power levels, temperature control from 60 to 270 °C, seven pre-set functions and a 3 h timer. It specifies cookware with a diameter of 12 to 26 cm. Also check that your pans are induction-compatible, along with the connection and clearance instructions.
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An option to consider if you often cook meals in a pot and would prefer an appliance dedicated to this type of cooking.
The stated capacity is 1.8 L. Before use, follow the instructions for filling levels, checking the seal and releasing pressure before opening. Also check the electrical specifications and the clearances required for your chosen location.
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Worth considering for meals cooked in a pot if you’re looking for several cooking settings in one main appliance.
The product name states a capacity of 3.8 L and up to four portions. A multi-cooker may not suit your oven recipes, so check the instructions for dimensions, power supply and the clearances required in your kitchen.
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Worth considering for small portions roasted or cooked in the basket, rather than meals made in a saucepan.
The product name states that it has a 60-minute timer and a basket described as dishwasher-safe. Check that the 2 L capacity suits your portions, then consult the instructions to allow for the required space and ventilation.
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Worth considering if you regularly make oven-cooked meals and have a suitable surface to keep it on.
Its stated capacity is 23 L. Choose a stable, heat-resistant surface, and check the dimensions, door clearance, heat clearances and connection instructions in the manual before deciding where to place it.
Not necessarily: socket positions and numbers need to be checked for each kitchen and its electrical setup. Before choosing several appliances to leave plugged in, have the sockets and circuits available in your home checked. Promotelec’s guidance on kitchen layouts doesn’t replace an on-site inspection.
Don’t choose this location without checking the position of the socket and the appliance instructions. Promotelec draws attention to the positioning of sockets near sinks and cooking areas. You should also check the appliance manual and ask a qualified professional for advice if you’re unsure about the location.
Yes. Depending on the appliance and the fault, repair may be worth considering before you buy a replacement. ADEME outlines repair options for some small appliances and recommends checking whether the item and repairer are eligible.