Choose a combi microwave with a grill and fan oven function if you want to reheat, defrost and cook certain dishes using a single appliance. If you mainly make quiches, gratins or bakes, a mini oven with convection is worth considering, but it won’t replace microwave functions. In either case, check how much space you’ll need, whether your dishes will fit and what the electrical requirements are before making your choice.
You want to keep the reheating and defrosting functions, while adding a grill and fan oven function for certain dishes. As UFC-Que Choisir explains, these oven functions are features to look for in a combi microwave; you shouldn’t assume they’re included just because a model has a grill.
You mainly make quiches, gratins, bakes or pizzas, and can reheat food another way. Moulinex’s range of mini ovens shows how cooking modes and capacities can vary, so choose one that suits the dishes you usually make.
Your choice depends first on the space available for the appliance, its door opening and ventilation. Check the dimensions on the manufacturer’s product pages, including Electrolux’s, against the space and socket you plan to use.
First decide whether you need your cooking appliance to include microwave functions. Then compare the dishes you make most often with the cavity size and installation requirements of the model you’re considering.
| Criterion | What to check | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Combined functions | Check that the model explicitly has microwave, grill and fan oven functions, and see which combination modes are available. | I want to defrost and reheat food without giving up the option to cook or brown certain dishes in the same appliance; around 42% of consumers would prioritise this versatility. |
| Oven-style cooking | Check for a fan oven function and grill, the temperature range, and the usable dimensions for your dishes. | If I often make quiches, gratins or bakes, I’d prioritise a suitable cavity, even if I need another way to reheat food; around 33% of consumers would have this as their priority. |
| Installation | Check the external dimensions, door opening, clearances specified in the instructions and the model’s electrical requirements. | If my worktop and socket limit my options, I need to make sure the appliance can be installed correctly; around 25% of consumers would put this constraint first. |
A combi microwave isn’t automatically the best choice for every dish. The comparison by ADEME and INC covers four combi ovens and ten convection ovens, with tests for cooking, defrosting and reheating. Its results don’t identify one winner for every recipe or kitchen. With a mini oven, also check that your dish or tin will actually fit inside the cavity; the stated capacity alone won’t tell you that.
A grill can brown a dish, but its presence doesn’t confirm that the appliance has a fan-assisted cooking mode. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between models with a grill and combi microwaves that also offer oven functions.
If you regularly make quiches or bakes, look for the words “fan oven” or “convection” in the features listed for your chosen model.
Two cavities with a similar capacity may fit dishes of different sizes. If you have a small worktop, you’ll also need to leave room for the door and follow the manufacturer’s ventilation instructions.
Measure the dishes you use most often, then compare their dimensions with the cavity, accessories and installation instructions for the exact model.
ADEME and INC’s comparative tests cover specific dishes and appliances. So, any time or energy savings a manufacturer advertises for one model won’t necessarily apply to the way you usually cook.
Start with the dishes you make most often and check the available modes, rather than choosing based solely on an advertised percentage.
A cooking appliance needs an electrical supply that’s suitable for its power rating. Promotelec specifically warns against connecting an oven and a washing machine to the same socket using an extension lead.
Check the appliance’s power rating and the socket available. If your wiring seems old or is already under heavy demand, ask a qualified electrician for advice.
These ranges show some of the features you can compare. The right choice depends on the specific model and the dishes you want to make.
The range includes freestanding combi microwaves with microwave, grill and convection functions, depending on the model.
The Optimo range offers freestanding mini ovens in different sizes, with a choice of cooking modes.
The brand offers freestanding microwaves with a grill, which are different from combi models with a fan oven function.
The two combi microwaves below are for anyone looking for a versatile appliance; the mini oven is better suited to those who prioritise oven-style cooking. For each model, check that it has the modes you need for your recipes, and review its dimensions and installation instructions before ordering.
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Worth considering if you want to combine microwave functions and cooking in a single appliance. The stated capacity is 39 L; check that your dishes will fit inside the cavity and follow the clearances given in the instructions.
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Worth comparing if you want a combi microwave that can accommodate dishes of different sizes. The stated capacity is 42 L; check the usable dimensions for your dishes, the ventilation clearances and the power supply requirements for this model.
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Consider this if you prioritise oven-style cooking and can reheat or defrost food another way. The stated power is 2000 W; if your recipes need a fan oven function, confirm that this model has one, and check its dimensions and installation requirements.
A grill alone doesn’t confirm that the appliance has the fan-assisted cooking mode you’ll need for these dishes. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between microwaves with a grill and combi models with oven functions, so check that a fan oven function is explicitly listed among the modes on the model you’re considering.
Don’t assume that a freestanding combi microwave or mini oven can be built in. Check the instructions for the clearances needed for ventilation, and only install it in a cabinet space if the manufacturer expressly says this is suitable.
Compare the appliance’s voltage and power rating with the socket and circuit available in your kitchen. Promotelec warns against connecting high-powered appliances to the same socket using an extension lead. If you’re unsure about your electrical installation, consult a qualified electrician.
Take this electrical appliance to a retailer’s take-back scheme or an appropriate collection point rather than putting it in your household waste. The Ministry for Ecological Transition says these appliances can contain components that need specialist treatment, as well as recyclable materials.