What appliance to get?

[Interl0per]

I'm shortly to move to my own flat for the first time, after renting. There is a decent kitchen, but it's not huge.

There's no integrated microwave. As I'm a first-time buyer, and have only ever had tiny rental kitchens, I don't have a lot of gadgets. DB and SIL have kindly offered to buy me something for a birthday/house-warming gift.

What should I ask for? I live alone, and mostly cater for one, but approx once a week will have guests, usually serving 5-10 people (this is sometimes after we have been out together, so I generally used the oven on a timer).

Do I ask for the obvious microwave?

Or are there benefits to e.g. an air-fryer or a slow cooker that I don't recognise, never having had one?

TIA

I recently upgraded from a basic airfryer to a super gadget that air fries, roasts, slow cooks, grillls, bakes

Never use my oven ever (family of 3)

It's this one it's on a massive offer at the moment

https://www.tofs.com/products/russell-hobbs-satisfry-air-and-grill-multi?variant=42710665920648&country=GB&currency=GBP&utmmedium=producttsync&utmsource=google&utmmcontent=sagorganic&utmmcampaign=sagorganic&gaddsource=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiArby5BhCDARIsAIJvjIQt4bJgMsQRJmwqCQFnYT18z9AaeTklclugI4ZIQvyNIIN9yLxGGAaAlJaEALww_wcB

I’d get a Panasonic microwave convection oven. They’re amazing.

Oh just saw about you catering needs - if I have a lot of people over I cook everything in the gadget and just keep stuff warm in the normal oven. I'm planning on doing the whole Christmas dinner in it this year

Is there an oven & hob there already ?

Yes, oven, hob and f/f, with enough counter-top to add one other appliance

slow cooker - works for a particular style of cooking, and especially braised meat. I don't really 'get' it, some people love it.

air fryer - I was a sceptic for a long time and only got one to get through while we were having our kitchen done, I stand by my previous reservations (they can't do anything a normal oven can't do) but they are energy efficient, quick, and work well. They also increase oven space or allow you to have a second 'oven' at a different temperature which can be handy for a roast. In a small kitchen this would be very low down my priorities for space. If mine suddenly broke I don't know if I would rush to replace it.

microwave - we didn't have one for years and survived just fine since most things you use a microwave for you can use hob or oven, the only thing that had no substitute was my heat up cuddly. They are convenient though, I have one now and use it multiple times a week.

How much do you enjoy cooking? I'm really into it and really like having a proper food processor (a house warming gift I got!), but you might not get enough out of it depending on how much you like cooking or what you cook.

Air fryer but the multicook one. It has slow cook,pressure cook and air fryer functions

Good question about how much I enjoy cooking:

I love baking, and I'm happy to cook the occasional big meal, but for myself I'd usually eat a lot of stir fries, noodles etc. I've always had a microwave, and think I'd find it strange to be without one, to begin with at least.

I've found all the replies really helpful to think about what I currently cook, and what I might like to do were I able to...