For reheating and defrosting in accommodation with limited equipment, choose a solo microwave. Add a grill if you also want to brown food, or consider a combination microwave with convection if you need to cook without a conventional oven. Before choosing, check the external dimensions, the ventilation clearance required and the cooking modes against the space you have and the meals you usually make.
If you’re staying temporarily in a kitchen with limited equipment, a solo model will meet your reheating and defrosting needs, provided your dishes and the appliance fit in the available space. UFC-Que Choisir specifically cites student accommodation as one setting where this choice comes up.
You reheat meals but would sometimes like to brown the top. A model with a grill is suited to this; just remember that this function is not the same as convection cooking.
If you plan to cook dishes that need an oven, look for a combination model with convection or fan-assisted cooking. Check the size of the dishes it can accommodate and the space needed for installation, too. Having several cooking modes in one appliance doesn’t necessarily make it compact.
Whether you’re in student accommodation, a second home or temporary accommodation, start with the meals you plan to prepare, then check that your chosen appliance can be installed in the space you have.
| Your needs | What to check before buying | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting without taking up too much space | Compare the external dimensions and turntable diameter with your furniture and the dishes you usually use. | When kitchen space is limited and meals mainly need quick reheating, I’d prioritise an appliance that fits my plates over extra modes; around 42% of consumers put this basic need first. |
| Occasionally browning food | Check that it has a grill function and includes the accessories needed to use it; make sure they fit inside the cavity. | To brown certain dishes without installing a separate oven, I’d look for a grill function, without expecting it to handle every type of oven cooking; around 25% of consumers prioritise browning. |
| Cooking without a conventional oven | Look specifically for convection or fan-assisted cooking, then measure the space, allowing for the clearances specified in the instructions. | Without a usable oven, I want to be able to prepare dishes that need oven-style cooking, while accepting that the appliance may take up more space; around 33% of consumers prioritise this use. |
Capacity doesn’t tell you whether the appliance will fit on your shelf. Panasonic lists a depth of 520 mm for the NN-C69KS combination model; Whirlpool gives a depth of 49,4 cm for the MCP349WH.
Measure the width, height and depth of your furniture, then allow for the door opening and the clearances specified in the model’s instructions.
Whirlpool says not to block the ventilation openings and to place the appliance on a flat surface. A recess that fits the appliance exactly may not be a suitable location.
Find out where the vents are on the model you’re considering and follow its installation instructions. Don’t place objects or textiles on the appliance.
A grill browns the surface of a dish. For oven-style cooking, check that the combination microwave actually has a convection or fan-assisted mode.
If you plan to bake or roast regularly, check the cooking modes and temperature range for the exact model you’re considering.
Instructions for containers and any grill rack depend on the mode you’re using. An accessory intended for the grill isn’t automatically suitable for microwave operation.
Follow the instructions for each mode and choose containers that are explicitly suitable for the way you plan to use them.
Panasonic’s French product pages feature solo models, grill models and combination microwaves with convection, making it easy to compare these three types across its range.
Whirlpool offers freestanding microwaves in France, including models with a grill and combination models.
Samsung’s French guide distinguishes between solo, grill and combination models, and recommends comparing the space available with your cooking habits.
This selection includes solo models for reheating, grill models for browning and a combination model for oven-style cooking. Compare their features with the way you plan to use them, then check the installation requirements.
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Worth considering if you want to reheat meals and have a grill for occasional browning, too.
The product name lists a 20 L capacity and 700 W power. If you need convection cooking, check this feature separately. Also check the clearances and connection instructions for the model.
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A straightforward option to consider if reheating and defrosting matter more to you than browning.
The product name lists 700 W, 11 power levels and six pre-set menus. To check where it will fit, compare the listed dimensions of 440 × 319 × 259 mm with the installation instructions.
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This solo model is suited to anyone who prioritises reheating and defrosting over oven-style cooking.
The product name lists a 23 L capacity and a Quick Defrost function. It also mentions 1 150 W, without specifying here which electrical rating this refers to. Check the rating plate and instructions to confirm the connection requirements.
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Worth comparing if you want to brown food as well as reheat it, and have room for a freestanding model of this size.
The product name lists Inverter technology, a 25 L capacity and 900 W power. Check the listed dimensions of 53,6 × 43,6 × 33 cm against your furniture and the clearances in the instructions. If convection is essential for the way you cook, make sure the model includes it.
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Worth considering if you want several cooking modes in one appliance and have a suitable space for its larger size.
The product name lists a 42 L, 3-in-1 combination microwave. Its listed dimensions of 553 × 326 × 505 mm and weight of 20 kg mean you’ll need to check your furniture. Also check the instructions for the cooking modes, defrosting, ventilation and connection requirements for your needs.
Yes, if you don’t need browning or convection cooking. Check that the turntable, cavity and external dimensions suit your dishes and the space you have.
Only if the space meets the model’s instructions, particularly for ventilation and opening the door. Whirlpool requires its appliances to be placed on a flat surface with the vents unobstructed. Measure the shelf and read the instructions before buying.
No. The power rating for the microwave or grill alone isn’t enough to establish the connection requirements. Check the rating plate and instructions for the exact model for its input power, voltage and electrical requirements, then make sure they’re compatible with the accommodation’s electrical installation.