For everyday reheating
In a studio flat or holiday home, you mainly want to reheat meals and defrost food. A solo microwave is suited to these tasks if you don’t need browning or fan oven cooking.
Which option suits your needs?
For the occasional crispy topping
You reheat most of your meals but would sometimes like to brown a gratin or toasted sandwich. The grill function meets this specific need, but it doesn’t make the appliance an oven.
For cooking without a conventional oven
If you also need to cook or roast regularly, look for a combination microwave with a fan oven function. Before choosing a model, compare the space you actually have available, the size of your dishes and the cooking modes your recipes require.
What should you look for?
UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes combination microwaves by their grill and fan oven functions; Whirlpool France also highlights the browning provided by a grill. Start by choosing the cooking functions you need, then check that the appliance will fit in your available space.
Solo microwave
Consider it: for reheating and defrosting, if you don’t need oven-style cooking.
Limitation: it won’t give food the golden finish you can achieve with a grill.
Microwave with grill
Consider it: if you want the usual microwave functions, with the option to brown a dish occasionally.
Limitation: a grill alone doesn’t replace fan oven cooking.
Combination microwave with fan oven function
Consider it: if you plan to cook or roast regularly without a conventional oven.
Limitation: results depend on the model and recipe. You’ll also need to check its overall dimensions carefully.
| What matters to you | What to check | Which shoppers is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking without an oven | Check that it has a fan oven function, the available temperature settings and the size of dishes it can accommodate. | I don’t have a conventional oven, so I want to cook or roast meals, not just reheat them. Cooking would be the priority for around 46% of shoppers. |
| Reheating and defrosting | Check the controls and defrost settings that are useful for the foods you usually prepare. | I mostly eat ready-made meals, so I’d prefer simple functions I can use every day. Around 36% of shoppers would prioritise this. |
| Occasional browning | Check that it has a grill and the accessories needed for the dishes you want to brown. | I’d sometimes like a golden finish, but oven cooking isn’t my main priority. This would be the most important consideration for around 18% of shoppers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing a grill with a fan oven function
A grill can brown a dish, but it can’t provide the same cooking functions as a fan oven.
If you want to cook or roast, look specifically for “fan oven” or “convection” in the model’s list of functions.
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Going by capacity in litres alone
The cavity capacity doesn’t tell you whether the appliance will fit on your worktop, including with the door open and the required clearance around it.
Measure the space and check the appliance’s external dimensions, along with the clearances specified in the manual for the model you’re considering.
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Blocking the vents to save space
Whirlpool France warns that blocked ventilation can cause the appliance to overheat.
Keep the vents clear and follow the installation instructions for the freestanding model.
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Assuming all combination microwaves cook in the same way
When testing the LG MJ3965BPS, UFC-Que Choisir found that small cakes did not rise well when cooked using the fan oven function. This finding applies to that model and recipe.
If particular recipes are the reason you’re buying, compare the model’s functions, capacity and accessories with relevant test results for those recipes.
Brands to consider
These brands offer ranges worth comparing for the functions you’re looking for. The right choice depends on the specific model and its manual, not just the brand name.
Whirlpool
Whirlpool France explains the differences between standard, grill and combination microwaves, and offers freestanding combination models.
- A range to explore depending on whether you want to reheat, brown food or add extra cooking functions.
- Check the dimensions and clearances in the manual for your chosen model.
Panasonic
Panasonic France offers freestanding combination microwaves with cooking functions that vary by model.
- The functions and temperatures listed for a particular model can help you decide whether it’s suitable for your recipes.
- Clearance requirements vary between models. For example, according to Panasonic France, the NN-DF385M needs 15 cm above it, 10 cm behind it and 5 cm on one side, with more than 40 cm of clearance on the other side for the door to open.
LG
LG France offers combination microwaves that bring together microwave, grill and fan oven functions.
- This range is worth considering if you want several cooking functions in one freestanding appliance.
- Don’t assume that the number of functions guarantees a particular result. UFC-Que Choisir’s test of the MJ3965BPS found a limitation when baking small cakes using the fan oven function.
Samsung
Samsung France divides its freestanding microwaves into solo, grill and combination categories.
- This makes it easier to start with the type of cooking you need, rather than the number of programmes.
- Check the functions, dimensions and ventilation instructions for the specific model.
Microwaves available on Joybuy
These models cover reheating, browning and combination cooking. For a small kitchen without an oven, compare their actual cooking functions and the space needed around each appliance. Don’t assume a grill is the same as a fan oven.
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Beko MGC20100B1 microwave with grill, 20 L
Worth considering if you reheat and defrost food every day, but would also like to brown certain dishes.
The product name specifies a capacity of 20 L and a power rating of 700 W. If you want to cook as you would in an oven, check the available functions: having a grill doesn’t confirm that it has a fan oven function.
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LG MJ3965ACS combination microwave, 39 L
Worth considering if you want to prepare meals without a conventional oven and have enough space for a combination microwave.
The product name specifies 39 L. Before making it your main cooking appliance, check that its functions and accessories suit your recipes, and check its dimensions and the clearances specified in the manual.
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Samsung MS23K3513 solo microwave, 23 L
Worth considering if you mainly need to reheat and defrost food, rather than cook it in an oven-style mode.
The product name specifies 23 L and the Quick Defrost function. It also lists 1,150 W: check the model documentation to see what this figure refers to, and check the required clearances too.
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Hisense H25MOBS7H solo microwave, 25 L
Worth considering for reheating and defrosting. If you’d also like to brown food, check which functions are available on this model.
The product name specifies 25 L and 900 W, but describes the appliance as “solo”. Don’t assume it has a grill based on the name alone. Also check the manual for the clearance needed around the appliance.
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Electrolux EMZ725MMTI Inverter microwave with grill, 25 L
Worth considering if you want to reheat, defrost and occasionally brown food in a freestanding appliance.
The product name specifies 25 L and 900 W. Its microwave and grill combination modes shouldn’t be confused with a fan oven function. Also check the space required and that your power supply is compatible with the model’s specifications.
Frequently asked questions
Can a combination microwave replace a conventional oven?
A combination microwave with a genuine fan oven function can handle some of the cooking you’d usually do in an oven, but results depend on the model and recipe. UFC-Que Choisir found issues when cooking small cakes in its test of the LG MJ3965BPS, for example. So check the functions, capacity and accessories, as well as any relevant test results for the dishes you make.
How much space should you leave around a freestanding microwave?
Follow the clearance requirements in the manual for your chosen model, and allow room for the door to open. For the NN-DF385M specifically, Panasonic France recommends 15 cm above, 10 cm behind and 5 cm on one side, with more than 40 cm of clearance on the other side for the door to open. These measurements don’t automatically apply to other appliances.
What warranty applies to a new microwave bought from a professional seller in France?
According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the legal guarantee of conformity applies when a professional sells a new appliance to a private individual in France. It covers issues such as a product not matching its description or having a manufacturing defect, and is separate from any commercial warranty that may be offered.