6 ways to cook food without a stove or cooktop

You rely on your cooktop and oven to help you prepare meals for your family, and it can feel challenging if you don’t have one at your disposal. If you’re currently living without a stove, use this guide to learn more about alternative cooking options to help you get mealtime back on track.

Cooking with no stove: alternative options

There are several ways to cook without a stovetop, like using an oven, microwave, air fryer, slow cooker, grill or countertop oven. Explore cooktop alternatives and oven stand-ins below to find the option that fits your cooking needs.

1. Oven

If just your cooktop is out of commission, your oven can help you prepare a variety of meals. You can use your oven to roast, bake or broil several dishes at once, helping you get the job done quickly and easily. 

Select Whirlpool^® smart ovens can even help you get dinner started when you’re on your way home from the grocery store with Remote Start. When your smart oven is set to remote enable, you can use your smartphone or tablet to preheat your oven so it’s ready to cook when you are.¹

2. Microwave

Though compact, a microwave can be a versatile tool to lean on when you don’t have access to a cooktop. You can use a microwave to cook small pieces of meat, steam vegetables, reheat casseroles and boil eggs. 

With select Whirlpool^® microwaves, you can even steam cook foods like rice, vegetables and fish when you use the steam accessory.²

3. Air fryer

Quick and convenient, air fryers can help you cook a variety of meals and reheat leftovers. Air fryers cook by rapidly circulating hot air around a perforated basket or tray to heat up all surface areas of your food to create a crispy outer layer. You can use an air fryer to cook your family’s favorite frozen meals, roast vegetables and cook chicken wings.

4. Slow cooker

If you don’t have access to a cooktop, a slow cooker can help you cook your favorite soup, stews and roasts using direct heat, steam and long cook times. This stove alternative is a low-maintenance option—simply add your ingredients, select a cooking setting and move on to the next chore on your list.

5. Grill

When the weather warms up, you can use your grill as an alternative to cooking on a stove. Heat from charcoal or gas cooks food quickly, allowing you to make large, multi-course meals easily. Use your grill to make fish, ribs, pizza, grilled vegetables and even baked potatoes.

6. Countertop oven

A countertop oven is a convenient way to get dinner on the table. Depending on the model, you can use a countertop oven similar to a standard-size oven, with features that let you broil smaller portions of meat for dinner and bake cookies for an after school treat. 

KitchenAid brand offers a selection of countertop ovens that offer some of the same capabilities of a full-sized oven in a convenient countertop size. Select models even feature an Air Fry setting for even more versatility.

Shop Whirlpool^® cooktops

If you need a new cooktop or want to upgrade an older appliance, Whirlpool brand offers a wide selection of gas and electric cooktops designed to help you care for your family. 

What is the best way to cook without a stove?

The best stovetop alternative is the option that fits in with your family’s cooking routine. Each option listed above has its own benefits, and the right option for you is the one that helps make mealtime run smoothly.

What meals can you make without a stove?

Even if you don’t have access to a cooktop, you can still make your family’s favorite recipes. Use a slow cooker to make tender pot roast with steamed potatoes and carrots, an oven to make roasted chicken and vegetables or your air fryer to make crispy fried chicken.

What are some easy no-cook meals?

Some days are so busy that you may not have time to cook at all, and there are several recipes you can make in a pinch without using any heat. Overnight oats, salads, wraps and sandwiches are easy no-cook meal options that can satisfy even your pickiest eater.

Explore Whirlpool^® ranges

If it’s time to upgrade your stove, consider gas and electric ranges from Whirlpool brand to help streamline meal prep. Whirlpool^® ranges offer innovative features on select models like Frozen Bake™ Technology that lets you cook frozen favorites in fewer steps so you can get dinner on the table faster.