If you mainly reheat and defrost food, and prepare dishes suited to microwave cooking, a basic model may be all you need. Choose a grill for the occasional browned or crisped topping; if you also want to bake or roast, look for an explicit fan oven function. In a small kitchen, check the dimensions, ventilation clearances and electrical specifications for the exact model too.
UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between basic microwaves, grill models and combination models, including for student accommodation and holiday homes.
If you want to reheat leftovers, defrost food and prepare a few microwave-friendly dishes, start by considering a basic model. If you plan to grill food or bake cakes regularly, look instead at models with extra cooking functions.
A grill can satisfy the occasional craving for a browned topping without adding a separate appliance. If oven-style cooking is part of your usual meals, check for a fan oven function and make sure you have enough room for the model.
For baking, roasting and other recipes that need oven-style cooking, look for a combination model that explicitly includes a fan oven function. Measure the space available, allowing for the clearances specified in the manual.
Start with the dishes you prepare, then check that the appliance and the space it needs for installation will genuinely fit in your kitchen.
| What to consider | What to check | What suits my needs |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking modes | Tell the difference between microwave, grill and fan oven functions. According to UFC-Que Choisir, a grill browns food, while a combination model with a fan oven function offers oven-style cooking. Check the modes available on the exact model. | I mainly reheat and defrost: a basic model may be enough. For browning, I need a grill; for baking cakes or roasting regularly, I’m looking for a fan oven function. |
| Available space | Compare the appliance’s external height, width and depth with the space you have. Also check the size of your dishes and the ventilation clearances specified in the model’s manual. | In a kitchenette, worktop depth matters just as much as the capacity of the cavity. I need to be able to install the appliance without reducing the required ventilation clearances. |
| Expected results | Don’t assume that the stated power tells you how well every function will perform. UFC-Que Choisir assesses reheating, defrosting, grilling and fan oven cooking separately in its testing process. | If I mainly prepare meals to reheat, I’m interested in reheating and defrosting; for oven-style recipes, I also look at the relevant cooking function. |
| Power supply | Check the voltage, amperage and total electrical power for the exact model. Don’t confuse these with its microwave cooking power or grill power. | Before choosing where to put it, I check the electrical specifications on the product page, in the manual or on the appliance’s rating label. |
A grill can brown the surface of a dish, but on its own it isn’t the cooking mode you need for baking or roasting. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between these functions.
If you want to use the appliance as an extra oven, look for the explicit wording “fan oven” and check its temperature range, rather than relying on the word “combination” alone.
The internal capacity won’t tell you whether the appliance will fit on your worktop. Bosch lists the FFL023MS2 as measuring 260 × 442 × 345 mm; Panasonic lists the NN-C69KSM as measuring 327 × 520 × 520 mm.
Measure the height, width and depth of the space, then allow for the clearances required in the manual for your chosen model.
Installation instructions depend on the appliance. The clearances in a Schneider manual can’t automatically be applied to a Bosch, Electrolux or Panasonic model.
Check the manual for the exact model and variant before buying. Choose another appliance if your space doesn’t allow you to meet the specified clearances.
For the Electrolux EMZ421MMK, Electrolux lists microwave power as 800 W, as well as total power of 1 270 W, a voltage of 230 V and an amperage of 10 A. These figures refer to different specifications.
Check the cooking power and the power supply specifications separately for the model you’re considering.
These models illustrate different functions. Always check the specifications for the exact model and variant, rather than assuming they apply to an entire brand.
The FFL023MS2 is an example of a freestanding basic microwave documented by Bosch.
The EMZ421MMK is an example of an Electrolux freestanding model with microwave, grill and combined microwave-and-grill modes.
Panasonic describes the NN-C69KSM as a combination microwave with a quartz grill and fan oven function.
Whirlpool lists microwave, grill, Crisp and steam functions for the MWF259SG.
These Joybuy options include basic microwaves, grill models and a combination model described as having convection. Compare their functions with the recipes you make, then check the manual for your chosen model before installing it.
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Worth considering if you reheat meals and also want to brown or crisp dishes occasionally. The title lists a 20 L capacity and 700 W power. For regular oven-style cooking, look for another model with a fan oven function. Check the manual for the clearances needed for your installation.
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This grill model is suited to reheating and the occasional browned or crisped topping. The title lists a 25 L capacity and 900 W power. Don’t confuse a grill with a fan oven function. Check the power supply specifications and installation instructions for this model.
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If you want to reheat and prepare microwave-friendly food without needing a grill, this model is described as having six pre-set menus, eleven power levels and a defrost function. Check its dimensions and required clearances before finding a spot for it in your kitchenette.
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This model is described as having microwave, grill and convection modes, so you can also consider oven-style dishes. Its stated 42 L capacity makes it especially important to measure the space available. Check the manual for its dimensions, clearances and power supply specifications, as well as its defrost mode if you need one.
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The grill is useful for browning or finishing a dish occasionally, but it isn’t a fan oven function. The title lists a 25 L capacity. Check the documentation for this model for its microwave power, electrical specifications and installation clearances.
It can work well for reheating, defrosting and some dishes suited to microwave cooking, but not for recipes that need a grill or fan oven function. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between these functions, so choose according to the dishes you actually plan to make.
A grill is mainly for browning and crisping; it doesn’t replace a fan oven function. If your recipes need oven-style cooking, check that the model explicitly lists a fan oven function and its temperature range.
Follow the clearances given in the manual for the exact model, rather than using those for another appliance. Measure the available space with these clearances in mind, and also check whether the model is designed to be freestanding or built in.
No. Also check the total electrical power, voltage and amperage listed for the exact model. For example, Electrolux lists microwave power of 800 W for the EMZ421MMK, but total power of 1 270 W, at 230 V and 10 A. These figures don’t apply to other models.