Everyday reheating and defrosting
If you mainly eat leftovers, soup or food that needs defrosting, a standard microwave covers these needs without adding oven-cooking functions. Check that your plates fit inside the model you choose.
What is each option best for?
Reheating, then browning
A microwave with a grill is a good choice if you’d also like to brown a dish or toast a croque monsieur. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes this function from the reheating provided by a standard model.
Regular cooking without a full-size oven
For tarts and other recipes that need oven cooking, compare a combination microwave with a mini oven. The former retains the microwave function, while the latter is designed for traditional oven cooking. In either case, measure your available space before choosing.
What should you check before choosing?
Start with the meals you actually prepare, then check how much space the appliance needs, both to fit and to use safely.
| What to consider | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Check that the model has a microwave function, and look at its controls and defrost settings. | I mainly eat leftovers or food that needs defrosting; I don’t need oven cooking every time I use it. |
| Available space | Compare the appliance’s external width, depth and height with your worktop. Allow for ventilation clearances and enough room to open the door, as specified in the instructions. | I want to fit the appliance without blocking the rest of my kitchenette. |
| Grill | Check whether it has a grill and, if you’re interested, whether there’s a setting that combines the grill and microwave. Only use accessories with the settings specified in the instructions. | I’d sometimes like to brown a gratin or a croque monsieur, not just reheat it. |
| Oven cooking | For a combination microwave or mini oven, check the cooking settings, usable capacity and the size of dishes it can accommodate. A grill on its own isn’t the same as a fan oven function. | I regularly make oven-cooked recipes, so these functions matter more to me than they would if I only reheated food. |
| Cleaning and instructions | Check which parts are removable and how they should be cleaned. For a microwaveable ready-meal tray, follow the power and timing instructions on the packaging. | I’d prefer an appliance that’s easy to clean as part of my daily routine, without assuming all its accessories can be washed in the same way. |
What mistakes should you avoid?
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Choosing a combination model just for reheating
Grill and oven-cooking functions won’t make much difference to your everyday routine if you mainly prepare leftovers and food that needs defrosting.
Make a note of the meals you plan to cook regularly before comparing a combination model with a standard one.
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Measuring only the width of the space
A microwave might fit on your worktop but still lack the ventilation clearances or door-opening space it needs. Whirlpool advises that the vents must not be blocked.
Measure the available depth and height too, then check the space against the model’s installation instructions.
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Confusing a grill with oven cooking
A grill browns food; it doesn’t automatically mean the appliance has a fan oven function.
For recipes that need oven cooking, check the combination microwave’s exact settings or compare it with a mini oven.
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Guessing the settings for a ready-meal tray
According to Anses, high-powered reheating can increase the migration of substances from some food packaging.
For microwaveable packaging, follow the power and timing instructions provided by the manufacturer.
Which brands should you compare?
Panasonic
Panasonic France offers standard microwaves, grill models and combination models. Compare the features of the specific model rather than relying on the brand name alone.
- Panasonic’s standard NN-E20JW model has a stated capacity of 20 L and measures 443 × 330 × 258 mm.
- Features and accessories vary between combination models, so check which ones your recipes actually require.
Whirlpool
Whirlpool’s freestanding range includes grill and combination microwaves.
- These categories make it easy to compare basic reheating with models that offer additional cooking options.
- Whirlpool advises against blocking the vents, so check the model’s instructions before deciding where to put it.
Valberg
Valberg is included here as a brand of freestanding mini ovens sold by Electro Dépôt. Consider one if oven cooking is a higher priority than microwave reheating.
- A mini oven lets you compare oven-cooking settings across different models.
- Check the capacity, dimensions and cooking settings of the model you choose; the retailer’s description doesn’t necessarily apply to the whole range.
Standard and grill microwaves on Joybuy
These models let you compare standard microwaves for reheating and defrosting with models that specifically include a grill for browning food. Check the dimensions and installation instructions for the one you’re interested in.
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Heinrich's, standard microwave, 20 L, 700 W
For reheating and defrosting portions, the model listing specifies six power levels, a 30-minute timer and a defrost function. Check the instructions for the required clearances before deciding where to put it.
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Beko MGC20100B1, grill microwave, 20 L, 700 W
This model combines microwave and grill functions if you’d also like to brown certain dishes. Before choosing where to put it, check the clearances specified in the instructions, particularly above the appliance.
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Hisense H25MOBS7H, standard microwave, 25 L, 900 W
To compare its 25 L capacity with 20 L models, measure the space available around the appliance too. The “solo” name and the feature descriptions don’t agree on whether it has a grill, so confirm the H25MOBS7H’s cooking settings before choosing it to brown food.
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Electrolux EMZ725MMTI Inverter, grill microwave, 25 L, 900 W
The grill is useful if you want to brown food as well as reheat it in the microwave. Before choosing this 25 L model for a kitchenette, check its external dimensions and the installation clearances specified in the instructions.
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COMFEE CM-E202CC(BK), standard microwave, 20 L, 700 W
This standard model is worth comparing for reheating and defrosting. The listing specifies express cooking, six preset menus and eleven power levels. Check the instructions for ventilation and cleaning guidance before installation.
Frequently asked questions
Is a standard microwave enough for a student studio flat?
Yes, if you mainly reheat meals and defrost portions. If you regularly want to brown food or cook oven recipes, compare grill and combination functions too; UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes these uses from those of a standard model.
When should you choose a grill microwave?
Choose this function if you’d like to brown or gratinate food as well as reheat it. Some models combine microwave and grill functions, as Panasonic specifies for its NN-GT21Q; check the settings and accessories on the model you’re considering.
Can a combination microwave replace an oven?
It can handle some oven cooking if the model has the right functions for your recipes, such as a grill and fan cooking. Check the size of dishes it can accommodate, the available settings and the space it needs rather than assuming all combination models offer the same capabilities.
What should you measure before installing a microwave?
Measure the available width, depth and height, as well as the space needed to open the door. Then compare these measurements with the dimensions and clearances specified in the instructions. Whirlpool specifically advises that the vents must not be blocked.
When should you choose a mini oven?
A mini oven is worth considering if you prioritise recipes that need oven cooking over microwave reheating and defrosting. Check its cooking settings, capacity and the space needed to open the door; it doesn’t serve the same purpose as a microwave for quick meals.