11 Oven Alternatives for a Small Kitchen
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Modern-day living in apartments and smaller spaces has made living without an oven a reality for many.
You may think an oven is irreplaceable, but there are several appliances that work just as well when having an oven just isn’t feasible.
These appliances save you space, energy and can even produce healthier food.
Oven alternatives:
Here’s a quick overview of our top oven alternatives if you don’t want to read the whole article:
- Air Fryer: Ninja AF101 Air Fryer
- Instant Pot: Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1
- Portable Induction Countertop: Duxtop 1800W
- Convection Toaster Oven: Instant Omni Pro
- Slow Cooker/Crockpot: Crock-Pot SCCPVL610-S-A
- Indoor Electric Grill: Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill
- Omnia Oven: Omnia Oven from Amazon
- Dutch Oven: Lodge 6 Dutch Oven
- Contertop Microwave: Panasonic NN-CD87KS
- Halogen Oven: NutriChef Halogen Oven
- Electric Skillet: Presto Electric Foldaway Skillet
1. The popular Air Fryer
The air fryer is a popular oven replacement (for a good reason).
The pros
Air Fryers are smaller and more compact than an oven, making them easier to store in a small kitchen. They can also cook a wide range of foods (apart from baking and roasting certain foods).
Air fryers are also much more energy efficient than conventional ovens and tend to cook faster than ovens due to their fans and excellent hot air circulation.
A little advice
You may need help cooking for a crowd. Air Fryers typically have less space than ovens, unless you invest in a larger, more expensive model.
Our Pick
The Ninja AF101 Air Fryer is our favorite pick. It has a small footprint and will take up minimal kitchen counter space. A bonus is that it also comes with a roasting, reheating, and dehydrating function.
2. The Instant Pot
One of the best-selling multi-functional kitchen appliances in the market. The instant pot is a supped-up pressure cooker with all the bells and whistles. Some Instant Pots even come with Alexa and Wi-Fi connectivity.
The pros
The instant pot takes up significantly less space in a kitchen and will cook your food considerably faster than an oven. You can pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, and much more. This pot also uses less energy than an oven.
A little advice
Most Instant Pot won’t have the size capability of a conventional oven, so you might have to settle for cooking smaller meals. Also, be in mind that the texture will be different to oven-baked meals.
Our Pick
This Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker from Amazon comes in three sizes with several customizable smart cooking programs. It’s perfect for smaller families of up to three people.
3. portable induction countertop
An Induction cooktop is an energy-efficient, safe, and fast cooking method. What’s great about this option is that it takes up minimal counter space and is portable. You can leave it permanently on your countertop or pack it away until needed.
The pros
What I love about my induction cooktop is that it appears as part of my countertop. It takes up minimal space and is relatively light and easy to move around. Also, if you have small children in the home, you don’t need to worry about burns (the surface never gets hot).
A little advice
You will need special induction-friendly cookware to cook on an induction cooktop.
This can get expensive if you already own a set of incompatible cookware. Induction cooktops also tend to cost more than the average cooktop. They will, however, save you energy costs over time.
Don’t expect to be able to bake, roast, broil, or slow cook on an induction cooktop. However, the cooktop will still work well for those who prefer small, quick mealtimes.
Our pick
This Duxtop 1800W Portable Induction Cooktop Countertop Burner from Amazon is compact and lightweight, making it an excellent option for a small home—a favorite on Amazon.
4. The convection toaster oven
The convection toaster oven is not only a small countertop appliance that takes up minimal space but can bake, roast, and broil. Some toaster ovens can dehydrate, reheat, rotisserie, toast, slow cook, and more.
A little advice
A decent toaster oven with more advanced functionality or a greater capacity can be expensive. They will always be cheaper than a conventional oven but may still be more costly than other kitchen appliance alternatives.
Our pick
I love this Instant Omni Pro 19 QT/18L Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo from Amazon. It comes in multiple sizes to suit most kitchen sizes. In addition, it has 14 different functions, allowing you to forget any previous frustrations of not owning an oven.
5. A slow cooker/crockpot
Now I admit that this is not my first oven replacement choice, but the slow cooker can be used effectively with induction cooktops or other appliances. In addition, the crockpot takes up minimal counter space and can be easily stored away in a cabinet after cooking.
The pros
Slow cookers are convenient and useful for busy individuals wanting to prepare their meals in advance.
Typically, crockpots produce flavorful, tender meals and are much more energy efficient than traditional ovens. They are also easy to clean and cook various dishes, from desserts to stews and soups.
A little advice
Cooking for a crowd can be tricky, as slow cookers often have a limited cooking capacity. Cooking times can also be lengthy, and you won’t be able to sear or brown your meats or prepare crisp foods.
If you are a fan of baking, there are better options than a slow cooker.
Our Pick
A popular slow cooker option is the Crock-Pot SCCPVL610-S-A 6-Quart Cook & Carry Programmable Slow Cooker with Digital Timer. This slow cooker has a larger capacity and should serve up to 7 people. It is also dishwasher safe.
6. The indoor electric grill
Ok, this alternative isn’t ideal for bakers, and you won’t be cooking any stews, pasta, or soups with this grill, but if you’re looking for a quick, healthy food preparation method, then this is the one.
The pros
The electric grill is compact and easy to use in a small kitchen. The grill will also cook your food much faster than an oven will.
It is an energy efficient way to cook vegetables, meats, fish, and more. Although the cost of an electric grill can vary widely depending on the model, it can be less expensive than full-sized ovens or other cooking appliances on the market.
A little advice
Unfortunately, the types of food you can cook on a grill are limited. For example, you won’t be able to cook large cuts of meat, slow-cooked meals, or delicate fish on the grill.
Our Pick
Try this Hamilton Beach Electric Indoor Searing Grill from Amazon. It comes with an extra-large drip tray and is dishwasher safe. A nice compact size that will only take up a little counter space.
7. The Omnia oven
You may think an Omnia oven is purely suited for camping or boating trips, but many people use it in their homes. It is compact and lightweight, making it easy to store, especially in smaller kitchens.
Just some quick cautionary advice, you will need a stovetop burner or induction cooktop to use the Omnia.
The pros
The Omnia is easy to use and more energy efficient than a traditional oven. It can be used to bake, make casseroles, and roast. The oven is also relatively inexpensive.
A little advice
The Omnia oven is a little small and is better suited for cooking for one or two people.
Baking in an Omnia can take longer than in a conventional oven, and foods that require high heat, such as pizza, are also unsuitable.
Our Pick
Here is a recommended Omnia oven option from Amazon.
8. Dutch oven
A Dutch oven is a good option if you lack kitchen space and cannot live without oven-baked meals.
The pros
Used with an induction cooktop or portable burner, you can cook delicious braises, soups, stews, and pasta dishes. What’s great is that your Dutch oven can also be used for frying.
Dutch ovens use less energy than conventional ovens, are portable, and allow for even cooking and browning while retaining heat beautifully.
A little advice
There are a few downsides to a Dutch oven. Firstly, you cannot cook large batches of food due to their limited cooking capacity, and secondly, the Dutch ovens are challenging to handle due to their heavy weight.
Delicate baked goods don’t work well in heavy-based Dutch ovens. Large meat cuts and quick-cooking foods are also not ideal, especially if they require specific temperature controls.
Our Pick
This Lodge EC6D33 Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven from Amazon will look beautiful on your kitchen counter and should last you a lifetime. Available in multiple colors, it is a necessity for any small kitchen.
9. Countertop Microwave Oven
The microwave oven is a staple in many kitchens, but modern versions offer much more than just reheating leftovers. They are particularly advantageous for small kitchens due to their compact size.
The pros
Countertop microwave ovens are versatile, with many models featuring convection and grill functions. This allows you to not only reheat but also bake and grill foods, making them a multifunctional appliance. They are also time-efficient, perfect for quick meal preparations, and use less energy than conventional ovens.
A little advice:
While microwaves are convenient, they may not be suitable for all types of baking and roasting, especially for dishes that require a crispy or browned surface. The texture of microwave-cooked food can also differ from oven-cooked meals.
Our pick
The Panasonic NN-CD87KS Home Chef 4-in-1 Microwave Oven is a great option. It combines microwave, air fryer, convection oven, and broiler functions in one, making it ideal for small kitchens.
10. The Halogen Oven
Halogen ovens are compact and efficient, using a halogen bulb as their heat source. They are known for cooking food quicker than traditional ovens.
The pros
These ovens are excellent for small spaces due to their size. They cook food faster and are energy-efficient, using less electricity than conventional ovens. Halogen ovens are also known for distributing heat evenly, ensuring well-cooked meals.
A little advice
Halogen ovens have a smaller capacity compared to traditional ovens, so they might not be the best choice for cooking large meals. The glass bowl of the oven can get very hot, so careful handling is required.
Our pick
The NutriChef Halogen Infrared Convection Oven, is a popular choice. It’s versatile and large enough to cook a variety of meals, yet compact enough for small kitchen spaces.
11. The Electric Skillet
An electric skillet is a versatile appliance that can fry, sauté, braise, stew, and even bake, making it a valuable addition to a kitchen without an oven.
The pros
Electric skillets provide precise temperature control, which is great for cooking a variety of dishes. They are portable and can be used as an additional cooking surface in a small kitchen. Many models come with a non-stick surface, making them easy to clean.
A little advice
While electric skillets are versatile, they can’t replicate all oven functions, especially baking large items. Their depth and size can also limit the types of dishes you can prepare.
Our pick
The Presto 06857 16-inch Electric Foldaway Skillet is highly rated on Amazon. It offers a large cooking surface, adjustable temperature control, and the convenience of being foldable for easy storage.
