I have a portable induction hot plate, it's fine for boiling water but I wouldn't want it for my primary cooking surface. I got a mid priced one, and it cycles on and off at the lower heat levels rather than holding a low temp.... So look for / spend enough for one that doesn't do that ! I had this idea that we could use it on the tabletop for hotpot but it's also pretty loud.

I would spring for the built in cooktop, there are a few options for smaller ones. Bosch makes a 24".

For the oven my friends with the Breville and KitchenAid (air fryer) models love them, one thing to keep in mind is they are not well insulated and get super hot on the doors and exterior. Depending on where you are an appliance that throws off a lot of heat could be a real bummer.

Check out wall ovens that open like a door or French doors.

Good luck with your project!

I would really hesitate to have countertop appliances instead of built ins. Overall, the flexibility & functionality of most is light years apart. Also, the loss of available countertop space in what will be a tiny kitchen will be critical & may lead to having a very cluttered looking space. Clutter is a state to be avoided for a well functioning home, especially as we age! I’d go with built in induction cooktop. You said ”… at most use two burners at once. “ With a portable countertop induction cooker you’ll never have the option to use 2. As for the countertop oven, the size of pan you want to bake or roast in will be severely limited so I definitely vote for a wall oven. As for frig, it sounds like you’d be better served with freezer below - for the same reason you said no range. My bet is all of us open the frig more than the freezer. I’d be sure to check out counter depth size frig & likely french door style to avoid space issues when opening the doors. Maybe a side by side would work better for you with both sides being mostly at above waist height?

You’re not asking this but I hope your plan has seated shower, grab bars & higher height toilet. Wide doorways to accomodate walker & wheelchair but also great for moving furniture in & out!

My opinions on appliances are based on the set up of my mom’s 767 sq ft 1 bed, combo kitchen/dining/ LR apartment. It was an independent living apartment in a new build retirement community building that included assisted living & memory care wings. So, a bit different than your planned ADU but still very much the same set up & needs.

Good luck with your plans for what should be your lovely & comfy nest!

First of all, please post your plan with measurements. If you are not sure how to do this, check out the New to Kitchens thread.

Induction. Consider a built in 4 burner. In 800 sf you should have room for it, and a 2 burner will cost you more. IKEA has some great options for cabinet units and appliances for the smaller kitchen.

Oven. My recommendation here is to spend more, not less, and get a true built-in speed oven that serves as a microwave/convection oven/cooking exhaust. It serves the purpose of three of your needed appliances at not insignificant cost, but the space savings here is considerable, and folks who own Advantium ovens love them. No countertop ovens - you won’t even need a toaster with this one.

Refrigerator. If you have trouble bending over the last thing you want is a fridge on the bottom freezer on top configuration. Consider a small (20 cu ft) bottom freezer.

Dishwasher. You did not mention this, but don’t you think you will want one? Consider an 18” dishwasher installed right next to your sink.

Good luck!

I recently bought an Anova steam oven for our beach house and I love it. I have not used our Wolf range oven since we got the Anova. The Anova is big for a countertop oven and I love how fast it heats up compared to our regular oven.

We are currently rehabbing a house so for several months used an induction cooktop / hot plate and a breville. As noted above the induction hot plate was a lifesaver but we were thrilled to have a real induction range again. Ditto for the beeville- when you were trying to bake (vs toast) the kitchen got incredibly hot.

• Frigidaire FPIC3077RF 30" cooktop. Yeah, it has four induction elements which you say you don't need but it also has knobs(!) which are easier to use than digital controls. As someone else noted, 24" models are actually more expensive than 30" because there's more competition in the 30" segment.
• The 30" version of the 27" Maytag MOES6027LZ Electric Wall Oven did well in CR's tests so I'd consider that.
• Top-freezer refrigerators are the most reliable according to CR's surveys. The basic 28" LG LT18S2100S did well in CR's tests and does not include an ice maker.
• The Panasonic NN-SN686SR microwave oven earned a recommended rating in CR's tests.
• I wouldn't have a kitchen without a dishwasher. Bosch dishwashers are the most reliable and the basic Bosch SHE3AEM5N is only $580.

You have a dishwasher picked out?

This Ninja oven/air fryer Link isLink is much more convenient than a wall or range full size oven. Since getting this the main oven hasn't been used. Portable induction runs 1800 watts at 12v. That's the drawback trying to run two burners. Two different circuits would be needed.

Plenty of room.

@Lawrence Kutten, anything else we can do for you?

Live in a coop apartment. They had our gas line out for 6 months for repairs. 8 out of 9 people on our floor got Breville ovens and we all confessed, after the gas was back on, that we missed our Breville ovens and some preferred them to their high end Wolf and Italian ranges. Yes, the take up counter space so design accordingly. Yes, they get hot. So turn on a fan or crack a window. One couple redesigned their kitchen to only have a stove top and no oven - they are using a Breville instead.

You know your cooking best. If you can get by with two burners, get two burners, not four.

Bottom loading freezer. You can find a well rated one I'm sure. Nobody wants to dig around in a veggie drawer that is nearly on the floor, especially not as you age!

Three cheers for family living. Hope it works out well.

Here's info on countertop aur fryer/ oven