Students who mainly reheat meals
You want a compact appliance for defrosting, reheating leftovers or ready meals and reducing washing-up, without replacing an oven.
Which students is it for?
Students without an oven who cook occasionally
You need to brown or gratinate certain dishes; the choice between a grill and a combination model depends on how often you genuinely need oven-style cooking.
Renters with very limited worktop space
Before choosing extra features, confirm the appliance’s external footprint, the usable cavity or turntable size and the required ventilation clearances.
Selection criteria
Solo microwave
Choose this if: you reheat, defrost and prepare simple recipes, without regularly needing to brown, gratinate or use fan-assisted heat.
Good to know: it does not offer the browning functions of a grill or provide oven-style cooking.
Microwave with grill
Choose this if: you regularly want to gratinate or brown dishes without expecting to cook frequently with fan-assisted heat.
Good to know: a grill does not automatically turn the appliance into a convection oven, and it requires suitable containers.
Combination microwave
Choose this if: your accommodation has no usable oven and you plan to cook pizzas, gratins or recipes requiring fan-assisted heat regularly.
Good to know: multiple cooking modes mean you need to check the available space, ventilation, accessories and permitted materials more carefully.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Size and ventilation | Compare the width, height and depth with your worktop and the door opening. Check the turntable diameter or the cavity’s usable dimensions. Always follow the clearances stated in the manual; Samsung gives average guidelines of 10 cm at the back and on the sides, and 20 cm above its appliances. | I need to be able to position the appliance without blocking its vents, while leaving enough room for my usual plates and dishes. |
| Cooking functions | The solo mode covers reheating and defrosting. The grill is used for browning and gratinating; look specifically for fan-assisted heat or convection if you want oven-style cooking. | I want to avoid a more complex appliance if my meals are limited to leftovers and ready meals, but I need oven-style cooking if my accommodation does not have an oven. |
| Power supply and wattage | Check that the power supply is suitable for the model sold in France. Distinguish between cooking output power and electrical input power, and compare figures of the same type. | I want to make sure the installation is suitable and understand what the wattage shown on the technical specification actually measures. |
| Containers and cleaning | Choose containers explicitly suitable for the mode you are using. Microwave-safe plastic is not automatically suitable for grilling or convection; never use a sealed container. | I want to reheat food simply, minimise splashes and use my containers without exposing them to an unsuitable cooking mode. |
Mistakes to avoid before buying
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Choosing a combination model solely for its programmes
Grill and convection functions are useful if you genuinely use them. In a small kitchen, the appliance’s dimensions, weight and accessories can matter just as much as the number of programmes.
Write down what you eat over a week: if you mainly reheat and defrost, start with a solo model; add a grill or convection for recipes you genuinely plan to prepare.
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Measuring the space without allowing for ventilation
An appliance that fits inside a recess may not work properly if its ventilation grilles are blocked. Requirements vary by model.
Add the clearances specified in the manual to the external dimensions. Samsung indicates an average of 10 cm at the back and on the sides, and 20 cm above, but the instructions for your chosen model always take priority.
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Confusing cooking output power with electricity consumption
The wattage stated for cooking does not always correspond to the electrical input power. Comparing different measurements can make it harder to assess the installation and compare performance between models.
Identify the output power, input power and power supply separately in the technical specification or manual, then compare like-for-like figures.
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Using a microwave-safe container with the grill or convection function
Plastic designed only for microwave use may melt under grill or convection heat; sealed containers also pose a risk of pressure build-up.
Use containers explicitly suitable for the selected mode, avoid metal when using the microwave function and never place a sealed container inside the appliance.
Brand and range guide
Samsung
The French range includes freestanding solo microwaves. The MS23K3614AW/EF is a 23 L example designed for reheating and defrosting.
- For the MS23K3614AW/EF, Samsung states a 28.8 cm turntable, 800 W output, 1,150 W input and a 230 V / 50 Hz power supply.
- Its 10 cm ventilation guidelines on the sides and at the back, and 20 cm above, do not replace the manual for your chosen model.
Brandt
Brandt offers freestanding microwaves with grills; the GE2626W is a 26 L option that adds browning to standard microwave functions.
- According to Brandt, the GE2626W combines a grill function, a 32 cm turntable, 900 W microwave output and 1,000 W grill power.
- These specifications apply to this particular model and do not describe the entire range.
Panasonic
The French range includes multifunction and combination microwaves for people who want to combine microwave, grill and oven-style cooking.
- Panasonic presents the NN-DF38PBEPG as a 3-in-1 appliance with a 1,000 W microwave, 900 W grill and convection from 30 to 200 °C.
- Before buying, check the space, ventilation and permitted materials for each cooking mode.
Whirlpool
Whirlpool also offers freestanding combination microwaves; the MCP349WH is a 25 L example with fan-assisted heat and additional cooking functions.
- The MCP349WH measures 52 × 30.1 × 49.4 cm and weighs 18.6 kg according to Whirlpool, useful information when checking a worktop.
- Whirlpool says not to block the ventilation grilles or place anything on top of the appliance; its versatility needs to be weighed against the space available.
Joybuy products for student meals
This Joybuy selection brings together solo microwaves and models with grills for reheating, defrosting and, depending on the model, gratinating in a small home.
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Beko MGC20100B1 with grill, 20 L, 700 W
For reheating, defrosting and occasional gratinating in a small kitchen.
Freestanding format measuring 45.2 × 35.3 × 26.2 cm, with a 245 mm turntable, 230 V / 50 Hz power supply and nine stated power levels.
No fan-assisted heat function is listed; allow 10 cm of clearance on the sides and at the back according to the instructions provided.
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COMFEE CM-E202CC(BK), 20 L, 700 W
An option for reheating leftovers and defrosting in a compact kitchen.
Advertised dimensions of 440 × 319 × 259 mm, 11 power levels, six preset menus and defrosting by weight or time.
No grill or convection functions are listed; check the ventilation, power supply and input power in the model’s manual.
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Heinrich's compact solo microwave, 20 L, 700 W
Suitable for reheating and defrosting, with simple controls for a studio flat or student accommodation.
Advertised dimensions of 44.6 × 36.3 × 24.3 cm, six power levels, a 30-minute timer, interior light and a 9.6-inch turntable.
No grill or convection functions are listed; check the ventilation, electrical specifications and whether the turntable is suitable for your dishes.
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LG MH6535GIH with grill, 25 L, 1,000 W
For reheating, defrosting and occasionally browning a wider range of meals.
25 L capacity, advertised dimensions of 38.8 × 47.6 × 27.2 cm, quartz grill, rapid defrosting, automatic programmes and keep-warm function.
No fan-assisted heat is listed; consult the manual for clearances, power supply and containers permitted when using the grill.
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LG MH6535GIS with grill, 25 L, 1,000 W
For reheating, defrosting and gratinating with automatic programmes in student accommodation.
Advertised dimensions of 47 × 26 × 37 cm, 29.2 cm turntable, 950 W grill, five power levels, LED lighting and EasyClean interior coating.
It should not be treated as a combination oven: no fan-assisted heat is listed. Check the power supply and ventilation clearances before installation.
Frequently asked questions
What should you measure before ordering a freestanding microwave?
Measure the width, height and especially the depth of the worktop, then allow for the door opening and ventilation clearances. Samsung indicates an average of 10 cm at the back and on the sides, and 20 cm above, while specifying that the requirements in the manual for your chosen model take priority. Whirlpool also reminds users not to block the ventilation grilles or place anything on top of the appliance.
Is a microwave with a grill enough when there is no oven in the accommodation?
Not necessarily: the grill is for browning and gratinating. If you need to cook regularly as you would in an oven, look specifically for a fan-assisted heat or convection function; combination models combine microwave, grill and, depending on the model, convection.
Can you use the same plastic containers in microwave and grill mode?
No, not by default. Que Choisir states that plastic may be used only with the microwave function, not with grill or convection functions, as the heat may cause it to melt. Always follow the instructions for both the container and the appliance.
What do 800 W or 900 W mean on a microwave specification sheet?
You need to distinguish between cooking output power and electrical input power. For example, Samsung states 800 W output and 1,150 W input for the MS23K3614AW/EF, while Brandt states 900 W output and 1,450 W input for the microwave function of the GE2626W. Compare like-for-like figures and check the model’s power supply.
What protection applies after buying a new microwave from a professional seller in France?
The statutory guarantee of conformity applies to both new and second-hand goods. According to the French Ministry for the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, you have two years to request that it be applied; for a new product, you do not have to prove that the fault existed on the date of sale during this period. Keep your proof of purchase and contact the professional seller first.