For reheating and defrosting in a small kitchen, a solo microwave is all you need if you don’t plan to cook anything else in it. Choose a grill model for occasional browning, or a combination microwave with fan-assisted cooking if you also want to prepare dishes normally cooked in an oven. Before bringing all these functions together in one space, check the modes available on the exact model, its dimensions, the ventilation clearances and the accessories you’ll need for your recipes.
In a studio flat, student accommodation or holiday home, you’ll probably want to reheat and defrost food without taking up too much worktop space. UFC-Que Choisir cites student accommodation and holiday homes among the situations where a microwave can be a good choice.
If you often reheat food but would also like to brown a quiche, gratin or pizza, check that the microwave has a grill and comes with the accessories you’ll need to use it. A grill doesn’t mean the appliance has fan-assisted cooking.
If you’re planning recipes that need oven-style cooking, look specifically for fan-assisted cooking and check the available temperatures. You’ll also need enough room for the appliance and the clearances required for the model you choose.
Start with the dishes you’ll actually make, then check that the appliance and its installation requirements suit the space available.
| What matters to you | What to check | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking beyond reheating | Whether fan-assisted cooking is explicitly listed, its temperature range and the accessories needed for your recipes. The word ‘combination’ on its own isn’t enough. | I want to make gratins, pizzas or pastries without adding an oven to the worktop. Around 36% of consumers put this cooking option first. |
| Making room and allowing for ventilation | The external dimensions, door clearance and the clearances specified in the model’s manual. | If my worktop is small, the appliance needs to fit while leaving enough room for installation. For around 29% of consumers, space comes before other considerations. |
| Everyday reheating and defrosting | The controls, defrost programmes and cavity size for your dishes. UFC-Que Choisir assesses reheating and defrosting separately in its testing process. | For my portions and leftovers, I’d rather have simple everyday functions than extra cooking modes. Around 21% of consumers prioritise reheating and defrosting. |
| Freeing up worktop space | Whether it’s described as ‘built-in’, the dimensions of the cabinet space, ventilation and the installation instructions for the exact model. | If I already have a suitable cabinet space, I want to install the appliance off the worktop. Built-in installation is the main priority for around 14% of consumers. |
A microwave may combine microwave and grill functions without offering convection. UFC-Que Choisir assesses the grill, combination cooking and fan-assisted cooking separately.
If you plan to cook oven-style dishes, look for fan-assisted cooking to be listed explicitly, and check its temperature range and the modes available on the exact model.
The internal volume won’t tell you whether the appliance will fit on your worktop, whether the door can open or whether there’s enough ventilation.
Measure the width, height and depth, then compare the space you have with the clearances specified in the manual.
A recipe that calls for a particular rack, dish or basket depends on the accessories designed for that model. Accessories from another model may not be suitable.
Compare what’s included with the accessories needed for the recipes you want to make, then check the manual for instructions on how to use them.
If you need to buy a compatible accessory separately, you’ll have an extra step before you can make the recipe.
The fact that an appliance physically fits inside a cabinet doesn’t mean it can be used there in line with the manufacturer’s installation and ventilation requirements.
For installation in a cabinet, choose a model specifically described as built-in and check the cabinet space and installation instructions.
Bosch offers, among other options, a freestanding grill microwave and a built-in combination microwave. These are two different installation types to bear in mind when comparing features.
Some Whirlpool freestanding models combine reheating with a grill and other cooking programmes.
Panasonic offers multifunction microwaves with a grill and fan-assisted cooking for anyone planning to prepare a range of dishes.
The EMZ725MMK is an example of a freestanding Electrolux model with microwave and grill functions, suited to occasional browning.
These models suit two of the uses covered here: reheating with occasional grilling and, for the model with convection, additional cooking in one appliance. Check the available space and the modes you need before choosing.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want to reheat, defrost and brown food occasionally with a freestanding appliance. It has a stated capacity of 25 L. If your recipes need fan-assisted cooking, look for a model that explicitly lists this feature.
Image unavailable
This grill model is suited to reheating and occasional browning rather than fan-assisted cooking. It has a stated capacity of 20 L. Compare its external dimensions and ventilation clearances with the space you have available.
Image unavailable
Worth a look if you want to combine reheating, grilling and convection cooking in one appliance. It has a stated capacity of 42 L, so check the available depth, door clearance and ventilation clearances specified in the manual.
Image unavailable
If you’re looking for a worktop appliance for reheating, defrosting and occasional grilling, check the programmes and space required for this freestanding model. It has a stated capacity of 25 L. Microwave cooking with a grill shouldn’t be confused with fan-assisted cooking.
Image unavailable
This freestanding model is suited to reheating, defrosting and occasional browning. It has a stated capacity of 25 L. If you want to cook as you would in a convection oven, check that fan-assisted cooking is explicitly listed for the model you choose.
It can handle some oven-style cooking if the model has fan-assisted cooking suited to your recipes; a grill alone isn’t enough. UFC-Que Choisir assesses grilling and fan-assisted cooking separately, so check the modes, temperature range and accessories for the exact model before deciding you can do without your oven.
Don’t assume you can based on its dimensions alone: installation and ventilation must comply with the model’s manual. Bosch Electroménager France describes the CMA485GB1 as a built-in model and the FEL023MS2 as freestanding, so check the installation type before planning space in a cabinet.
Check which accessories your recipes need and what’s included with the exact model. Panasonic France lists a roasting dish and racks for the NN-C69KSM, while the NN-CD88 is supplied with a basket, rack and enamel tray. The contents aren’t interchangeable between models.
A microwave that has reached the end of its life should be disposed of through the waste electrical and electronic equipment recycling scheme. France’s Ministry for Ecological Transition describes a collection and recycling system for household appliances. Check local take-back options or find a collection point near you.