Choose a standard microwave for reheating and defrosting, a grill model for occasional browning, and a combination model with fan-assisted cooking if one appliance also needs to handle oven-style cooking. If you mainly cook gratins, pizzas or pastries, a compact mini oven is also worth comparing. Always measure the space available, the dishes you use and the clearances specified in the manual.
You live in a studio flat, student accommodation or second home and want to reheat, defrost and occasionally cook without filling the space with several appliances. Your choice mainly depends on how often you need oven-style cooking and how much space is actually available, as highlighted in UFC-Que Choisir’s buying guide.
You mainly reheat portions and ready meals, but would like to brown or gratinate food from time to time. A grill microwave can meet this need when fan-assisted cooking is not required every day.
You often prepare gratins, pastries, pizzas or roasted dishes without a built-in oven. In that case, compare a combination microwave with fan-assisted cooking and a compact mini oven, taking into account the available space, the usable dish size and the cooking results available for the model you are considering.
Start by identifying the meals you actually prepare, then check that the functions and installation requirements suit your kitchen.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Check the microwave and defrost functions, power levels, external dimensions and cavity size. | I want to reheat leftovers, portions and frozen food without installing another appliance. |
| Occasional browning | Look for a grill function, modes combining microwave and grill, and the accessories permitted in the manual. | For a few browned or gratinated dishes, a grill may be enough without moving to an appliance with fan-assisted cooking. |
| Oven-style cooking | Check for fan-assisted or fan-forced cooking, the size of dishes that can be used and any comparative tests available for the exact model. | I want to cook cakes, pizzas or gratins regularly without a conventional oven; a combination microwave or mini oven makes more sense than a simple grill. |
| Size and ventilation | Measure the height, width, depth, door-opening space and cable clearance. Follow the clearances around the vents specified in the manual. | My worktop space is limited: the appliance must fit without blocking its ventilation or making the socket difficult to access. |
A grill allows you to brown food, but fan-assisted cooking is the function that brings a combination microwave closer to a conventional oven. A grill model may not meet your needs if you regularly cook pizzas, cakes or gratins.
List the meals you prepare over a week: choose a grill for occasional browning, and compare a combination microwave with a mini oven if oven-style cooking is a regular part of your routine.
A cavity that fits your dishes does not guarantee that the appliance will fit on your worktop or that its ventilation will remain unobstructed. Whirlpool states that blocking the ventilation openings may cause overheating.
Compare the external dimensions, door-opening space, cable, socket and clearances required by the model’s manual—not just the number of litres.
The technologies described by manufacturers do not replace an independent assessment of reheating uniformity, browning, combination cooking or fan-assisted cooking. UFC-Que Choisir examines these criteria separately in its testing protocol.
Use the manufacturer’s product information to confirm the functions and dimensions, then look for tests covering the exact model if cooking quality is a deciding factor.
Anses states that very intense reheating, particularly at excessively high power, increases the risk of substances migrating from certain types of packaging into food.
Use a microwave-safe container in good condition, and follow the power and duration instructions provided by the food or container manufacturer.
A range of freestanding microwaves including grill and combination models, worth considering if you are looking for an appliance that brings together microwave, grill and, depending on the model, fan-forced cooking.
A useful option for a compact grill microwave when the main aim is to reheat and brown food rather than replace an oven.
An alternative in the freestanding electric mini oven category when oven cooking matters more than microwave reheating.
These Joybuy options are mainly suited to reheating, defrosting and occasional browning in a small kitchen, with a standard model for the most basic needs.
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Suitable for reheating, defrosting and occasional browning without a separate appliance.
20 L, 700 W, 800 W grill, 245 mm turntable, 9 power levels and dimensions of 45,2 × 35,3 × 26,2 cm. Leave 10 cm clear at the sides and rear; no fan-assisted cooking is advertised.
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Worth considering for reheating, defrosting and occasional browning in one freestanding appliance.
25 L, 900 W, 28,8 cm turntable, quartz grill, multi-stage cooking and dimensions of 53,6 × 43,6 × 33 cm. Check the 10 cm clearance at the sides and 20 cm above; fan-assisted cooking is not specified.
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This model combines microwave, defrost and grill functions for everyday meals and occasional browning.
25 L, 1 000 W, freestanding, defrost programmes, keep-warm function and dimensions of 47,6 × 38,8 × 27,2 cm. No fan-assisted cooking is specified; check the manual for ventilation clearances.
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An option for reheating, defrosting and browning when oven cooking is only occasional.
25 L, 1 000 W, 950 W grill, 29,2 cm turntable, automatic programmes and dimensions of 47 × 26 × 37 cm. Fan-assisted cooking is not advertised; check the ventilation requirements and electrical compatibility before installation.
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A simple solution for reheating and defrosting when a grill and oven-style cooking are not required.
20 L, 700 W, 245 mm turntable, 6 power levels, 220–240 V power supply and dimensions of 45,2 × 36,2 × 26,2 cm. Leave 10 cm clear around the appliance; no grill or fan-assisted cooking is advertised.
No. A grill adds browning or gratinating to the reheating and defrosting functions, while a combination microwave also adds fan-assisted cooking. Choose a grill if browning is occasional, and a combination model if oven-style cooking is frequent.
Do not rely solely on the term “freestanding”. Whirlpool states that the ventilation openings must not be obstructed, as this could cause overheating. Consult the installation instructions for the exact model to find out which clearances must be observed.
Measure the width, height and, especially, the depth of the space, then check the door-opening area, socket and ventilation clearances. Also check the size of your dishes: a capacity given in litres alone does not confirm that a cake tin or gratin dish will fit inside the cavity.
No. Anses recommends following the power and duration instructions for packaging suitable for microwave use: excessive reheating may increase the risk of substances migrating from certain containers into food.
A microwave comes under France’s waste electrical and electronic equipment collection scheme. Ask the retailer about the take-back options available before your new appliance is delivered.