People who reheat meals every day
In a studio flat or holiday home, you may mainly want to reheat leftovers and drinks or defrost portions. In that case, it’s worth considering a standard microwave before looking at grill or oven-cooking functions.
Who are these appliances for ?
Fans of golden, grilled dishes
If you often want a golden topping on your dishes, a grill model adds this option to microwave reheating. However, a grill alone doesn’t replace fan-assisted cooking for recipes that need it.
People cooking without a conventional oven
If you regularly make quiches, pastries or roasts, compare the cooking modes of a combination microwave and a mini oven. The space needed to install them matters just as much as the recipes you plan to make.
Which needs should guide your choice ?
Start with the meals you make most often, then check that the appliance and its location will genuinely work for those uses.
| Need | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Check the defrost functions and external dimensions, allowing for the door and ventilation. | When most of my meals are portions to reheat or defrost, I prioritise an appliance that fits in my small kitchen. Around 33 % of consumers give this need priority. |
| Browning dishes | Check that it has a grill mode, and confirm which dishes and accessories are suitable for use with it. | If I often make gratins, I want to brown the top without necessarily cooking pastries or roasts. This is the top priority for around 25 % of consumers. |
| Combining microwave and oven cooking | Look for an explicitly stated fan-assisted cooking function, then check its temperature range and installation clearances. | Without a conventional oven, I need to cook quiches and cakes as well as reheat food in the microwave. Around 25 % of consumers put this versatility first. |
| Mainly oven cooking | Compare the mini oven’s modes and temperatures with your recipes, then measure the space needed for installation and to open the door. | When most of my meals rely on oven cooking, I’d rather choose an appliance suited to those dishes, even if it can’t reheat food in a microwave. This is the priority for around 17 % of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing a grill with fan-assisted cooking
A grill browns the top of a dish, but having one doesn’t mean the appliance can handle oven cooking for a quiche, cake or roast.
Make a note of the recipes you’ll cook regularly. If they need fan-assisted cooking, check that the model offers it or compare it with a mini oven.
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Measuring only the space taken up on the worktop
The door, cable and vents also need space. A freestanding appliance shouldn’t be installed in a recess unless its instructions say that it can be.
Measure the width, depth and height, as well as the space needed to open the door. Then allow for the clearances specified in the instructions for your chosen model.
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Heating packaging without checking the instructions
According to Anses, excessive heating can increase the migration of substances from some food packaging into food.
Only use packaging or containers marked as microwave-safe, and follow the instructions for power and heating time.
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Confusing an extended warranty with your statutory guarantee
In France, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a business to an individual; an extended warranty offered at the time of purchase is separate.
Before taking out an extended warranty, compare its cover, exclusions and duration with the rights you already have.
Brands to compare
Whirlpool
The range includes standard and combination microwaves. Compare individual models if you’re looking for fan-assisted cooking.
- Whirlpool France lists the MCP349WH as a 25 L combination microwave with a grill and fan-assisted cooking.
- The MCP341WH, on the other hand, is listed as a “microwave only” appliance: functions vary by model.
Panasonic
Comparing its standard and combination models can help you decide whether you need reheating alone or oven cooking too.
- Panasonic France describes the NN-E20JW as a standard microwave with a defrost function, and the NN-C69K as a combination model with a grill and fan-assisted cooking.
- The NN-C69K’s functions aren’t available on the standard model, so always check the exact model you’re considering.
Electrolux
The brand offers a useful point of comparison if you want to brown dishes without immediately choosing a convection appliance.
- The Electrolux France product page for the EMZ421MMK lists microwave, grill and microwave-with-grill modes.
- These modes don’t confirm that this model, or other models, has fan-assisted cooking.
Moulinex
Worth comparing if your meals mainly call for a mini oven rather than a combination microwave.
- Moulinex France lists fan-assisted cooking, conventional cooking and a grill among the functions of the Optimo 19 L OX444810.
- This mini oven doesn’t reheat food using microwaves, so check that its modes suit your everyday needs.
Models for reheating or cooking
These Joybuy models let you compare standard microwaves, grill models and a combination microwave. Start by choosing the functions you need for your meals, then check the installation requirements and exact modes of the model you’re considering.
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Beko MGC20100B1, 20 L grill microwave, black
Consider this if you want to reheat dishes and have a grill for browning them. The title lists a 20 L capacity and 700 W; check the clearances specified in the instructions before installation.
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Heinrich’s, 20 L standard microwave, 700 W
Designed for prioritising reheating and defrosting in a small home. The title lists six power levels, a 30-minute timer and a defrost function; check the instructions for ventilation clearances.
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Hisense H25MOBS7H, 25 L microwave, 900 W, black
Worth considering for reheating and defrosting. The title describes this model as “standard”, while the description also mentions a grill. Check the functions of this specific model before choosing it for browning dishes.
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Electrolux EMZ725MMTI Inverter, 25 L grill microwave, titanium
For combining reheating with occasional browning. The title lists 900 W; a grill doesn’t guarantee fan-assisted cooking, so check this if you’re planning to cook oven-style dishes. Also check the clearances in the instructions.
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SHARP YC-MC422AE-SB, 42 L combination microwave
Worth comparing if you want to combine reheating with cooking that’s more like using an oven. Its stated 42 L capacity means you’ll need to measure the space carefully, allowing for ventilation and the door opening. Also check the modes and accessories included for your recipes.
Frequently asked questions
When is a combination microwave worth considering ?
Consider a combination model if you regularly make recipes that need fan-assisted cooking, such as quiches or pastries, while still wanting to reheat food in the microwave. Check the functions of the exact model: a simple grill is for browning and doesn’t indicate that the appliance can cook using convection.
Can you put a freestanding microwave in a recess ?
Only if the instructions for that model allow it and you can meet the specified clearance requirements. Panasonic, for example, states that its NN-DF38, which is designed for freestanding use, must not be placed in a cupboard or built-in space. Don’t assume the instructions for one model apply to another.
Which packaging can you put in a microwave ?
Only use packaging or containers marked as microwave-safe, and follow their instructions for power and heating time. Anses notes that excessive heating can increase the migration of substances from some packaging into food.
Does an extended warranty replace your statutory guarantee ?
No. In France, the statutory guarantee of conformity is mandatory for goods sold by a business to an individual, while an extended warranty is a separate commercial guarantee. Compare its terms with your legal rights before deciding whether it offers useful additional protection.