Advice
Countertop cooking

Countertop cooking advice

Buying advice for slow cookers, pressure cookers, multi-cookers, rice cookers, compact ovens and other countertop cooking appliances.

Articles about countertop cooking

Read the latest explainers and comparisons before you narrow the products worth checking in detail.

An unplugged oval electric roaster with its lid and removable cooking rack on a kitchen worktop

Guide · 17 October 2026

Using an American roaster oven in the UK

What to check before buying an imported electric roaster: voltage, frequency, continuous converter capacity, food fit and the total cost.

Read advice

Compact mini oven with open door, racks, baking tray, pizza pan and tape measure on a kitchen worktop

Guide · 5 July 2026

Mini oven capacity and shelf positions: what to check before buying

Check usable tray size, internal height, shelf positions, pizza fit, heat clearance, controls and cleaning before choosing a mini oven.

Read advice

Microwave and mini oven on a compact kitchen counter with toast, a jacket potato and frozen food nearby

Comparison · 3 July 2026

Mini oven vs microwave: which is more useful in a small kitchen?

Compare mini ovens and microwaves for small kitchens, including everyday cooking tasks, counter space, reheating, browning, cleaning and whether an air fryer is the better third option.

Read advice

Sous vide circulator clipped to a saucepan beside cooking bags, a vacuum sealer and a frying pan

Explainer · 3 July 2026

Sous vide accessories: what do you really need?

A practical guide to the sous vide accessories worth buying first, what can wait, and when a vacuum sealer or saucepan matters more than extra gadgets.

Read advice

Unbranded soup maker with smooth and chunky soup, prepared vegetables and lid on a kitchen worktop

Guide · 2 July 2026

Soup maker capacity, cleaning and texture: what to check before you buy

Check soup maker capacity, fill lines, cleaning effort and texture control before buying, and decide when a blender or hand blender is the better fit.

Read advice

Electric multi-cooker with a removable cooking pot, pressure-style lid, rice and chopped vegetables on a kitchen worktop

Guide · 29 June 2026

Multi-cooker features that are worth paying for

A practical guide to the multi-cooker features worth paying extra for, from pressure cooking and searing to rice modes, lid design, cleaning and app control.

Read advice

Electric pressure cooker and slow cooker on a kitchen worktop with prepared stew ingredients

Comparison · 29 June 2026

Electric pressure cooker vs slow cooker: which suits weeknight meals?

Choose between an electric pressure cooker and a slow cooker by matching each appliance to the way your weeknight dinners really start, wait and clean up.

Read advice

Compact rice cooker, larger multi-cooker, uncooked rice and bowls of cooked rice on a kitchen worktop

Guide · 27 June 2026

Rice cooker capacity guide: how big should you go?

Choose the right rice cooker size by understanding uncooked cup ratings, cooked-rice volume, household habits and when a multi-cooker makes more sense.

Read advice

Three slow cookers of different sizes on a kitchen worktop with bowls and leftover containers

Guide · 25 June 2026

Slow cooker size guide: what capacity do you need?

Choose the right slow-cooker capacity for your household, leftovers, batch cooking, pot shape and kitchen storage space.

Read advice

Sous vide immersion circulator with a sealed food pouch in a water bath beside a slow cooker containing a stew

Comparison · 19 June 2026

Sous vide machine vs slow cooker: which should you buy?

Choose between precise water-bath cooking and low-effort one-pot meals by comparing texture, timing, bags, finishing, cleaning and the way you actually cook.

Read advice

Mini oven and electric roaster in a kitchen with a pizza oven positioned outside on a patio

Comparison · 17 June 2026

Mini oven, pizza oven or roaster oven: which countertop oven should you buy?

Choose between a mini oven, pizza oven and electric roaster oven by comparing indoor or outdoor use, everyday meals, high-heat pizza, large roasts, worktop space and cleaning.

Read advice

Soup maker and jug blender on a kitchen worktop with chopped vegetables and a bowl of soup

Comparison · 16 June 2026

Soup maker vs blender: which should you buy?

Decide whether a dedicated soup maker, jug blender or hand blender setup is the better fit for hot soup, smooth textures, batch cooking, cleaning and kitchen space.

Read advice

Rice cooker and electric multi-cooker on a kitchen worktop with cooked rice, vegetables and a one-pot meal

Comparison · 16 June 2026

Rice cooker vs multi-cooker: which is better for everyday meals?

Decide whether a dedicated rice cooker or an electric multi-cooker is the better fit for weeknight meals, rice texture, batch size, steaming, porridge and kitchen space.

Read advice

Slow cooker, electric pressure cooker and multi-cooker on a kitchen worktop with vegetables and rice

Comparison · 16 June 2026

Slow cooker, pressure cooker or multi-cooker: which should you buy?

Choose between a slow cooker, electric pressure cooker and multi-cooker by matching each format to your cooking routine, safety needs, cleaning habits and kitchen storage.

Read advice