Cooking & baking

Cooking and baking without a big kitchen

An air fryer makes crispy potatoes and chicken with almost no oil, a multicooker cooks porridge, soup or stew on a programme unattended, and a microwave reheats and defrosts in minutes. No oven, or not enough of it? A mini oven helps; a table hob adds a burner, and an electric grill brings grilled flavour indoors even in winter.

How to choose

Capacity by household: a 3–4 l air fryer for two, 5–6 l for a family; for multicookers look at programme count and a pressure-cooking function (dishes cook 2–3× faster). For microwaves check power (800–1000 W) and a grill element, for table hobs induction vs ceramic (induction is faster and more efficient). A contact grill suits sandwiches and meat, a table grill suits a crowd.

FAQ

Can an air fryer replace an oven? For everyday cooking, yes — chicken, vegetables, frozen food and small bakes cook faster with less energy. For a large holiday roast the oven stays.

Does an induction hob need a special socket? No — a regular socket is enough, but cookware must have a magnetic base.