For reheating and defrosting in a student kitchenette, choose a solo microwave; a grill model is also handy if you occasionally want to brown the top of a dish. If you regularly cook without a conventional oven, compare a combination microwave with fan oven function and a mini oven: the former retains microwave functions, while the latter focuses on oven cooking. In both cases, check the space required, ventilation and power supply before you buy.
If you reheat leftovers or ready meals and defrost portions, a solo microwave will meet your needs. Be sure to check its external dimensions, though: a capacity stated in litres doesn’t tell you how much worktop space it will take up.
If reheating is still your main use, but you’d sometimes like to brown the top of a dish, a microwave with a grill gives you that option. Don’t confuse its grill with a fan oven function.
If you regularly prepare meals that need oven cooking, consider a combination microwave with a fan oven function or a mini oven. Your choice will also depend on the dishes you use, the space available and the appliance’s installation instructions.
If your kitchenette has no oven, start with the type of cooking that matters most to you, then compare your chosen appliance with the space available and its installation instructions.
| Need | What to check | Who is it for ? |
|---|---|---|
| Reheat and defrost without taking up too much space | External dimensions and clearances specified in the instructions; enough usable space for your plates. | If my meals mainly need reheating or defrosting, I want to keep some worktop space free. Around 36 % of consumers make this their priority. |
| Brown dishes from time to time | Whether it has a grill and which accessories are included; don’t assume it has a fan oven function just because it says “grill”. | If I sometimes want to brown the top of a dish, I’m looking for a grill without giving up the everyday convenience of a microwave. This is the main priority for around 29 % of consumers. |
| Cook like you would in an oven, with one appliance | Whether a fan oven function is explicitly listed, the temperature range and the usable dimensions of the cavity. | Without a conventional oven, I want to regularly prepare dishes that need oven cooking while keeping microwave functions. Around 21 % of consumers prioritise this combination of functions. |
| Prioritise oven cooking | Cooking modes, the size of dishes it can accommodate, power consumption and installation instructions. | If I mainly cook using an oven, I can prioritise a mini oven and do without microwave reheating. Around 14 % of consumers put conventional oven cooking first. |
The cavity volume doesn’t tell you the appliance’s external depth or how much space you need to leave around it for ventilation. For example, according to Panasonic France, the Panasonic NN-C69KSM is 520 mm deep.
Measure your worktop and the space needed to open the door, then allow for the clearances specified in the instructions for the model you’re considering.
A grill browns food, but its presence doesn’t mean the appliance has fan oven cooking. This distinction matters if you want to regularly prepare dishes that are usually cooked in an oven.
Look for a clearly listed fan oven function, or compare the appliance with a mini oven that suits the dishes you cook.
A fan oven function alone isn’t enough to predict cooking results. UFC-Que Choisir assesses preheating and temperature stability separately as part of its microwave testing process.
If you’ll often use the combination microwave as an oven, look for test results for the exact model and check that your dishes will fit in its cavity.
In France, the Ministry of the Economy explains that the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to an individual. A commercial warranty does not replace it.
Before agreeing to an extended warranty, read its duration, exclusions and claims process so you understand what extra protection it offers.
The NN-E20JW and NN-C69KSM models illustrate two different needs: a solo microwave and a combination microwave with convection.
Models documented by Whirlpool France make it easy to distinguish a grill microwave from a combination microwave with fan-assisted cooking.
The OX130230 mini oven is worth considering if oven cooking matters more to you than microwave reheating.
Its documentation distinguishes between solo, grill and convection microwaves, and provides installation guidance to check for each model.
These models are suited to reheating and defrosting in a kitchenette; the Whirlpool also has a grill. To choose between them, pay particular attention to the space they take up and the ventilation instructions for your chosen model.
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Worth considering for reheating and defrosting if a 25 L cavity suits your needs. The model name indicates 900 W; check the exact functions and the clearance requirements in the instructions before deciding where to put it.
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If you want to reheat and defrost without needing oven cooking, this 20 L microwave offers 700 W and six power levels. Measure the space you have and check its external dimensions and ventilation clearances before buying.
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For microwave reheating with the option to brown dishes from time to time, this model combines a stated capacity of 20 L, 700 W microwave power and a grill. Don’t confuse the grill with fan oven cooking; be sure to check the exact external dimensions before choosing a spot for it.
Follow the clearances specified in the instructions for your chosen model. Samsung France gives general guidance of at least 10 cm at the back and sides and 20 cm above, while noting that requirements vary by appliance. These measurements do not replace the instructions for your model.
A combination microwave with a fan oven function can handle some oven cooking, provided your dishes and portions fit in the cavity. But don’t assume it will match every use of a conventional oven. If you plan to use it for cooking regularly, check the usable dimensions and look for test results for the exact model that cover preheating and temperature stability.
Check whether your accommodation rules or tenancy agreement allow the appliance you’re considering. If you’re not sure, ask the accommodation manager to confirm. Also check the space available, the ventilation clearances required in the instructions and access to a suitable power supply.
No. Choose a container that’s suitable for the cooking mode you’re using and follow the appliance instructions. In microwave mode, check that your containers are microwave-safe and follow any guidance on metal utensils. Having a grill doesn’t make a container suitable for every mode.