For regularly reheating pre-prepared portions, a freestanding solo microwave is generally the most straightforward choice, provided the cavity, turntable and external dimensions suit your dishes and worktop. Add a grill if you want to brown certain dishes, or choose a combination model if you will genuinely use oven-style cooking functions. In every case, check the ventilation requirements for the model you choose.
You have lunch at home once or several times a week and mainly want a simple appliance for reheating and defrosting, without paying for cooking functions you will not use. According to Insee, during the first half of 2024, 22% of private-sector employees worked from home at least once a month.
You need to install the microwave in a limited space and clean it quickly after lunch. External dimensions, depth, turntable diameter and ventilation matter just as much as the stated capacity.
You may sometimes want to brown a dish, cook using fan-assisted heat or use cooking programmes. A grill or combination model becomes worthwhile when these are genuine, regular uses rather than simply an occasional need for reheating.
Choose this if: you mainly reheat prepared dishes and occasionally defrost food, with limited worktop space.
Bear in mind: it will not brown food; check the turntable and cavity dimensions for your widest dishes.
Choose this if: you want to reheat food every day while occasionally browning or gratinating a portion.
Bear in mind: the grill adds colour and browning, but does not replace a traditional oven on its own.
Choose this if: your meals at home also involve cooking, fan-assisted heat or larger containers.
Bear in mind: these functions are not necessary for a prepared meal, and the appliance may require more space.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Simple reheating | Check the microwave, defrost and quick-start functions. Clear controls are preferable if several people use the appliance. | I want to reheat a prepared portion without juggling lots of settings at lunchtime. |
| Space and dishes | Compare the height, width and depth with the measured space available. Check the turntable diameter, door opening and clearances required by the instructions. | My appliance needs to fit on the worktop while accommodating my plate, lunchbox or usual dish. |
| Everyday cleaning | Examine the cavity lining, removable turntable and the precise operation of any cleaning-assistance function. | After several lunches at home, I want to be able to wipe away splashes and residue easily. |
| Grill or combination cooking | Choose a grill for browning or gratinating. Check the fan-assisted cooking functions, turntable stop and internal capacity only if you also cook with the appliance. | I will only add cooking functions if they genuinely suit my meals, rather than just for reheating. |
Cavity capacity does not replace checking the external dimensions, turntable and shape of your dishes. A 20 L model may suit a plate while still being unsuitable for a rectangular or family-sized dish.
Measure the available space, then measure your most-used plate, lunchbox or dish. Also check the depth, door opening, turntable diameter and ventilation requirements.
A grill is designed for browning, while a combination model adds oven-style cooking options. These uses are different from reheating an already prepared meal and may require more space.
Review your meals over a week: reheating only, occasional gratinating or complete cooking. Move up to a grill or combination model when the extra function is genuinely useful.
Whirlpool states that blocked ventilation openings can cause the appliance to overheat quickly. An installation that is too cramped may therefore restrict how you can use it.
Keep the openings clear of objects, cloths and small appliances, and follow the clearances specified in the instructions for the model you choose.
An AutoClean function or cleaning aid can make maintenance easier, but it does not replace wiping away residue and splashes after frequent use.
If easy everyday maintenance matters to you, check the exact function, how it works, the cavity lining and access to the turntable and walls.
A range of freestanding microwaves covering solo, grill and combination formats, making it useful for comparing a compact reheating appliance with more versatile models.
A brand to consider for a freestanding microwave with grill or a built-in model when precise dimensions and ease of cleaning form part of your decision.
A relevant choice if you are considering a combination model for uses beyond reheating, such as larger dishes or cooking with hot air.
This selection brings together solo microwaves and models with grills, suitable for reheating and defrosting and, depending on the model, occasional gratinating on a domestic worktop.
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Suitable for frequent reheating, defrosting and occasional gratinating.
A 21 L freestanding microwave with grill, a 24.5 cm turntable and dimensions of 55 × 42 × 34 cm. Check that your dishes fit on the turntable and that the installation space complies with the specified clearances.
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Worth considering for larger portions or dishes, with a grill for occasional browning.
This 25 L model has a 28.8 cm turntable, a quartz grill and dimensions of 53.6 × 43.6 × 33 cm. Compare its footprint with your worktop’s actual dimensions and the required clearances.
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A grill option for regular reheating and defrosting, with touch controls and automatic programmes.
It offers a 29.2 cm turntable, dimensions of 47 × 26 × 37 cm and an EasyClean interior coating. Consult the instructions for ventilation clearances before deciding where to install it.
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Suitable for simple everyday reheating in a small kitchen, without oven-style cooking functions.
It measures 44.6 × 36.3 × 24.3 cm and offers six power levels, a 30-minute timer and a defrost function. Check the 9.6-inch turntable diameter against your plate or lunchbox.
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Suitable for reheating and defrosting prepared meals, with a grill function for browning or gratinating.
This microwave measures 45.2 × 35.3 × 26.2 cm and has a 245 mm turntable, nine power levels and a mechanical timer. Check that your dishes and the ventilation space are compatible with the planned installation.
Yes, if you mainly reheat already cooked dishes and only defrost food occasionally. Whirlpool distinguishes between a standard microwave for reheating and defrosting, a grill for browning, and a combination model that adds oven-style cooking.
No. Whirlpool recommends a level surface, a room temperature between 5 and 35 °C, and unobstructed ventilation openings. Check the final clearances and conditions in the installation instructions for the exact model.
Whirlpool’s guide recommends using a ceramic or glass dish for reheating food. Also consult the container instructions and the appliance manual, particularly when using a grill or combination accessory.
Not necessarily. A grill is primarily designed for browning, while a combination model adds cooking options. For a prepared dish, the microwave function remains the main criterion; choose the additional functions only if you will genuinely use them.
A microwave falls under the waste electrical and electronic equipment system. France’s Ministry for Ecological Transition states that these appliances contain components requiring specialist treatment and have recycling potential. Take yours to an appropriate collection, take-back, donation or recycling scheme rather than putting it in household waste.