Tiny House GuideBack to Kitchen

Appliances

In a tiny kitchen the question for every gadget is: does it earn its bench and cupboard space? Favour multi-function units, and watch the high-wattage ones (kettle, toaster) if you are off-grid. Pricing is shown per country; regions marked "being researched" are coming soon.

Tiny house kitchen appliance options

Small appliance options

Coffee (capsule / espresso / manual)

Capsule machines are fast and compact; a manual espresso machine is for the weekend barista; and an AeroPress or French press makes great coffee with no power at all.

Advantages

  • AeroPress/French press use zero power (off-grid win)
  • Capsule is fast and small
  • Lots of compact options

Disadvantages

  • Espresso machines are bulky and thirsty
  • Capsules cost more over time
  • Another bench gadget

Indicative pricing

🇦🇺 AustraliaFrench press ~$20 · capsule $80 – $250 · espresso $200 – $1,000+
🇺🇸 USABeing researched
🇨🇦 CanadaBeing researched
🇬🇧 UKBeing researched
🇪🇺 EuropeBeing researched

Kettle / Hot Water

An electric kettle is about 80% efficient — better than boiling on a cooktop — and doubles for noodles and eggs. But it draws a big wattage spike, which matters off-grid.

Advantages

  • Fast and efficient for boiling
  • Cheap
  • Multi-use (noodles, eggs)
  • Auto shut-off

Disadvantages

  • High wattage spike (hard on a small inverter)
  • Stovetop kettle is the off-grid alternative
  • Bench space

Indicative pricing

🇦🇺 Australia$20 – $150
🇺🇸 USABeing researched
🇨🇦 CanadaBeing researched
🇬🇧 UKBeing researched
🇪🇺 EuropeBeing researched

Toaster / Sandwich Press

Compact and handy, but another high-wattage heating appliance. A matching kettle-and-toaster set keeps a small bench looking tidy; a sandwich press adds hot meals.

Advantages

  • Cheap and compact
  • Sandwich press = quick hot meals
  • Matching sets look tidy

Disadvantages

  • High wattage spike off-grid
  • Single-purpose (toaster)
  • Bench space when out

Indicative pricing

🇦🇺 Australia$20 – $200
🇺🇸 USABeing researched
🇨🇦 CanadaBeing researched
🇬🇧 UKBeing researched
🇪🇺 EuropeBeing researched

Blender / Food Processor

A personal/portable blender is compact and some run on 12V or USB — great for smoothies and small-batch prep. A full processor does more but takes more room.

Advantages

  • Personal blenders are tiny (some 12V/USB)
  • Smoothies and sauces
  • To-go cups save washing up

Disadvantages

  • Full processors are bulky
  • High-power models draw more
  • Easy to over-buy

Indicative pricing

🇦🇺 AustraliaPersonal $30 – $120 · processor $80 – $400
🇺🇸 USABeing researched
🇨🇦 CanadaBeing researched
🇬🇧 UKBeing researched
🇪🇺 EuropeBeing researched

Multi-Cooker / Mini Rice Cooker

A multi-cooker (pressure/slow/rice/saute in one) or a mini rice cooker replaces several single-use gadgets — ideal when storage is scarce. Some are notably low-draw.

Advantages

  • One unit does many jobs
  • Frees up cupboard space
  • Mini versions are low-draw
  • Set-and-forget cooking

Disadvantages

  • Still needs somewhere to live
  • Larger multi-cookers are heavy
  • Learning curve

Indicative pricing

🇦🇺 AustraliaMini rice ~$30 · multi-cooker $80 – $300
🇺🇸 USABeing researched
🇨🇦 CanadaBeing researched
🇬🇧 UKBeing researched
🇪🇺 EuropeBeing researched
Off-grid power spike tip. Kettles, toasters and sandwich presses are small but draw a lot of power for short bursts — they can trip a modest inverter. Off-grid, favour a stovetop kettle, low-draw devices, and multi-function units, and check each appliance's wattage against your system.
Pricing note: figures are indicative 2026 estimates in Australian dollars and vary by brand and model. Choose appliances that earn their space, and store them in an appliance garage to keep benches clear. Regions marked "being researched" will be added soon. Last updated: June 2026.