For reheating and defrosting in a small home, start with a standard microwave. A grill model is worth considering if you want to brown or grill food; a combination microwave makes sense if you’ll also use its fan oven function instead of an inconvenient or unavailable oven. Whichever type you choose, check that there’s enough space to open the door and allow the appliance to ventilate.
If you reheat and defrost food more often than you cook it in an oven, a standard microwave is a good place to start. UFC-Que Choisir lists student accommodation as one of the settings where microwaves are used.
If you want to prepare simple meals without filling your home with appliances, compare the microwave’s dimensions with the space available on your worktop. You’ll also need room to open the door and to meet the ventilation clearances specified in the manual.
If you regularly want to brown or grill food, a microwave with a grill could be a good fit. If you also want to use fan oven cooking, consider a combination microwave and check that it will fit in your kitchen.
Choose this if: you mainly need to reheat and defrost food.
Bear in mind: it won’t brown food with a grill or offer fan oven cooking.
Choose this if: you also want to brown or grill food regularly.
Bear in mind: a grill alone doesn’t offer the fan oven function found on a combination microwave.
Choose this if: you’ll use its fan oven function because your home doesn’t have a convenient oven.
Bear in mind: measure the space carefully, as dimensions vary by model.
Once you’ve chosen the type of appliance, check its dimensions and manual against the space you have and the meals you plan to make.
| What to consider | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Available space | Compare the appliance’s unpackaged width, height and depth with the space on your worktop. Check that there’s room to open the door and allow for the clearances specified in the manual. Whirlpool advises that the ventilation openings on a freestanding model must not be blocked. | I want to open the appliance without blocking the way, while leaving enough space for it to ventilate. |
| Cooking modes | Check which functions are available: microwave, grill and fan oven. According to UFC-Que Choisir’s guide, the grill is useful for browning or grilling food, while a combination model also offers fan oven cooking. | Is reheating enough for my everyday meals, or will I really use the grill and cook oven-style dishes? |
| How to use it | Check the manual for instructions on each mode and follow the cooking time and power settings on food packaging. The DGCCRF recommends following the instructions for food containers. | I want to choose the right mode and use each container according to its instructions, even when I’m preparing a meal in a hurry. |
Fan oven cooking won’t add anything to your meals if you only use the microwave to reheat and defrost food. A combination model may also take up more room: Whirlpool lists its MWF255B as measuring 49 × 32,5 × 46,8 cm, compared with 45,2 × 26,2 × 35 cm for its standard MWP201W.
Make a note of the dishes you usually prepare. If you won’t use the grill or oven-style cooking, start by comparing standard models that fit your space.
An appliance may fit on your worktop but leave too little room for the door to open or for ventilation. Whirlpool warns that blocked ventilation openings can cause overheating.
Measure the depth too, as well as the space in front of the door and for the cable. Then follow the installation instructions for the exact model you’re considering.
Anses says that reheating food at too high a power setting increases the risk of substances migrating from some types of packaging into food.
Follow the power and cooking time instructions on the packaging. If you have a grill or combination microwave, check the manual and the container to make sure they’re suitable for the mode you’ve selected.
Manufacturers’ product information gives you examples of features and dimensions to compare. These details apply to the models mentioned, not to every model from each brand.
Whirlpool provides information on its freestanding standard, grill and combination models.
The French product information for the freestanding EMZ725MMK with grill lets you compare its dimensions and power ratings with your needs.
Panasonic offers models with a grill, as well as combination models with fan oven cooking.
These standard and grill models suit the reheating, defrosting and browning needs you might have in a small home. If you need fan oven cooking, check that the model you choose specifically includes this function.
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Worth considering if you mainly want to reheat and defrost food in a studio flat. The product name lists a 20 L capacity, 700 W power, six power levels and a defrost function.
Before making space for it, check the manual for the ventilation and door-opening clearances it needs, as well as its electrical specifications.
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Worth a look if you plan to brown or grill food as well as reheat it. The product name lists a 20 L capacity and 700 W power. Check the grill specifications and the instructions for each mode in the manual.
Before placing it on a narrow worktop, check that there’s enough space to open the door and allow the appliance to ventilate.
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For mainly reheating and defrosting, this model is listed with a 20 L capacity, 700 W power and 11 power levels.
Before installing it, check the manual for ventilation clearances, door-opening space and electrical specifications.
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Worth considering if you plan to use the grill to brown or grill food as well as the microwave functions. The product name lists a 23 L capacity and 900 W power. Check the manual for the available modes and compatible containers.
Measure the space you have, allowing for the door to open and the specified ventilation clearances.
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This 25 L model is worth considering if you’d like a grill as well as reheating functions. The product name and power specifications don’t clearly identify the same mode, so check the manual for the power ratings for microwave and grill functions.
Also compare the available space with the model’s dimensions, allowing for the door to open and ventilation clearances.
Yes, if you mainly reheat and defrost food. UFC-Que Choisir and Whirlpool France distinguish the grill and fan oven functions as features for different needs. Think about whether you’ll use them before choosing an appliance that includes them.
Choose a grill model if you want to brown or grill food but don’t need fan oven cooking. If you also want to cook using this function, check that it’s explicitly listed among the modes on the combination model you’re considering.
Measure the width, height and depth, then check there’s room to open the door and route the cable. Check the manual for the clearances required for the exact model: Whirlpool recommends placing a freestanding appliance on a flat surface and keeping its ventilation openings clear.
Not necessarily. Check that the container is suitable for the grill or combination mode you’ve selected. The DGCCRF recommends following the container’s instructions, while Anses stresses the importance of following the reheating instructions on food packaging.