For reheating and defrosting portions in a studio flat, a 20 L solo microwave is a straightforward choice, provided your dishes fit inside and you install it in line with the instructions. If space is really tight, consider a 13 L model. Choose a grill if you want to brown or crisp food, or a built-in model only if it’s compatible with your kitchen recess.
If you mainly use a microwave to reheat and defrost food, a solo model means you won’t have controls you never use. The Panasonic NN-E20JW is one example of a 20 L model with a 25.5 cm turntable. Compare this measurement with the plates you normally use.
Capacity in litres alone won’t tell you whether your dishes will fit. The Whirlpool MAX34BL and MAX38FW have a 13 L cavity and a 28 cm turntable, but you’ll also need to check there’s enough height for the containers you use.
You can consider a built-in model if the recess dimensions and fitting instructions match the exact model. Published built-in dimensions alone aren’t enough to confirm the ventilation requirements.
Start with the dishes you use and the space available. Then decide whether a grill function would be useful for your meals.
| What to consider | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Space for your dishes | Measure the diameter and height of your containers. Compare them with the turntable and, if available, the internal dimensions. Panasonic lists a 25.5 cm turntable for the NN-E20JW; Whirlpool lists a 28 cm turntable for the MAX34BL, despite its 13 L cavity. | My usual plates and containers need to fit, so I shouldn’t rely on capacity in litres alone. |
| Where to put it | Measure the available width, depth and height, and allow room to open the door. Check the instructions for the clearance and installation requirements for that model. If it’s a built-in model, check the recess too. | I want to keep as much worktop space as possible without placing the appliance too close to a wall or in an unsuitable cupboard. |
| Functions | A solo model is suitable for reheating and defrosting. If you want to brown or crisp food, compare the grill functions on the relevant models and check their instructions. Don’t assume they work like a conventional oven. | Reheating may be enough for my everyday meals. If I regularly brown or crisp food, a grill could be useful. |
| Cleaning | Check how to remove the turntable and reach the bottom of the cavity. BUT’s care guide recommends cleaning the turntable and its support regularly. | After a spill, I’d like to be able to remove the residue without leaving crumbs under the turntable. |
A 28 cm turntable in a 13 L cavity may accommodate some flat dishes, but that doesn’t mean there’ll be enough room for a tall container.
Measure two or three containers you use regularly, then compare their diameter and height with the measurements for the model you’re considering.
The external dimensions show how much space the microwave takes up, but they don’t tell you how much clearance to leave around it. A built-in model also needs a suitable recess.
Before buying, check the clearance requirements for the exact model, access to the plug socket and the space needed to open the door.
A grill function may be useful for occasional browning or crisping, but that doesn’t mean a microwave can replace an oven for all your cooking.
If you mainly reheat and defrost food, look at solo models first. Choose a grill function if you genuinely expect to use it.
The DGCCRF reminds consumers to follow the instructions for using food containers. Being suitable for food contact doesn’t necessarily mean a container is suitable for every type of heating.
Check that the container is microwave-safe and suitable for the use you have in mind. Don’t reuse single-use packaging to heat a meal.
These models illustrate different formats; their inclusion here doesn’t mean they’re available on Joybuy.
The Panasonic NN-E20JW and NN-ST21Q are both 20 L freestanding models with a listed turntable diameter of 25.5 cm.
The MAX34BL and MAX38FW have a listed cavity capacity of 13 L and a 28 cm turntable. The former is a solo model, while the latter has a grill.
The LMS4253TMX is a 25 L built-in model with a grill, designed to be installed in a compatible recess.
This model may suit you if you’re looking for a microwave to reheat and defrost food in a studio flat. Before choosing it, compare its dimensions, installation requirements and turntable size with your kitchen and the dishes you use.
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This 20 L, 700 W model may suit you if you need an appliance for reheating and defrosting. Measure your plates and the space where you plan to put it, then check the instructions for the ventilation requirements.
A 20 L model may be suitable for reheating, defrosting and preparing simple portions, as long as your dishes fit inside. For example, the Panasonic NN-E20JW has a 25.5 cm turntable according to Panasonic. Remember to measure the height of your containers too.
Don’t choose based on internal capacity alone: measure the external dimensions and the space needed for installation. Whirlpool lists a 13 L capacity and a 28 cm turntable for the MAX34BL, but a plate that fits on the turntable doesn’t guarantee that a tall container will fit inside the cavity.
A grill is useful if you want to brown or crisp portions. If you only need to reheat and defrost, a solo model such as the Panasonic NN-E20JW is a more direct fit for those needs. The NN-ST21Q and Whirlpool MAX38FW also have a grill.
No. Check that the container is suitable for microwave use and follow its instructions. The DGCCRF specifically advises against heating food in a container not designed for this purpose or reusing a single-use container.
Remove the turntable regularly to clean away residue and crumbs underneath it. BUT’s care guide recommends cleaning the turntable and its support, then letting them dry before putting them back in place.