Student or renter who mainly reheats meals
If you mainly use your microwave to reheat portions and defrost food in a kitchenette, a microwave-only model will do the job without adding grill or convection settings you don’t plan to use.
Which type is right for you?
Someone who wants to brown dishes occasionally
A grill microwave lets you reheat food and brown the top of certain dishes. Make sure you use containers suitable for the grill: a dish that is safe to use in microwave mode may not be suitable for both modes.
Someone who cooks without a traditional oven
If you plan to regularly cook dishes that need fan-assisted heat, look for a combination microwave with this setting. Also check how much worktop space it needs and the ventilation guidance for your chosen model.
What should you check before choosing?
Microwave-only
Choose this if: you mainly reheat and defrost food, without needing to brown your dishes.
Limitation: it doesn’t provide the dry heat needed to brown food like a grill or cook with fan-assisted heat.
Grill microwave
Choose this if: you also want to brown the top of gratins and other dishes regularly.
Limitation: the grill setting alone doesn’t provide fan-assisted cooking.
Combination microwave
Choose this if: you’ll actually use a grill or fan-assisted setting as well as the microwave to cook without a separate oven.
Limitation: settings vary by model, and having them doesn’t guarantee the same results for every dish.
| Priority | What to check | Consider your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking settings | Look for microwave and grill settings, plus convection or fan-assisted cooking if needed. Check the model’s specifications to make sure it has the settings you need for your dishes. | Will I mainly reheat meals, or do I also plan to brown dishes and cook regularly as I would in a small oven? |
| Space and dishes | Compare the appliance’s external width, height and depth with the space available. Also check that the cavity is large enough for your usual plates and dishes. | My worktop space is limited, but I want to be able to use the dishes I already own. |
| Installation | Check the clearances specified in the model’s manual and keep its ventilation openings unobstructed. Whirlpool’s installation advice also recommends placing a freestanding appliance on a flat surface. | In my kitchenette, the door needs to open fully and the appliance must have adequate ventilation. |
| Containers | Check which materials are permitted for each setting. UFC-Que Choisir recommends using plastic only in microwave mode, unless the manufacturer says otherwise, and advises against using sealed containers. | I want to switch between settings without accidentally using an unsuitable container. |
What mistakes should you avoid?
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Choosing a combination microwave when you’ll mainly reheat food
The grill and fan-assisted settings won’t add much to your meals if you don’t use them. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between the reheating function of a microwave-only model and the extra cooking options offered by other types.
Think about the dishes you usually make: if you don’t need to brown food or cook with fan-assisted heat, start by comparing microwave-only models.
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Relying on the litre capacity without measuring the space
The internal capacity doesn’t tell you the external dimensions. According to their respective specifications, the Samsung MG23K3515AK/EF is 392 mm deep and the LG MJ3965ACR is 52,3 cm deep; these examples are no substitute for measuring the model you’re considering.
Measure your worktop, the space needed to open the door and the ventilation clearance, then compare these measurements with the specifications and manual for the exact model.
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Using the same container for every setting
Plastic that is safe to use in microwave mode may not be suitable for the grill or convection setting. UFC-Que Choisir also warns that a sealed container can build up pressure.
Check the container’s markings and the manual for the setting you’re using; never heat a sealed container.
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Assuming a setting guarantees a particular cooking result
The fact that a grill or combination setting is listed doesn’t tell you exactly how every dish will turn out. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol assesses defrosting, evenness of reheating and certain cooking results separately, among other things.
If a particular cooking task matters to you, look for a test of the exact model rather than relying on the name of the setting alone.
A few brands to consider
These models give you examples of different sizes and features to compare; their specifications don’t apply to every model from each brand.
Samsung
The MG23K3515AK/EF is an example of a 23 L grill microwave. Samsung France lists its external dimensions as 489 × 275 × 392 mm.
- The grill adds the option to brown food as well as reheat and defrost it.
- For fan-assisted cooking, check another model whose specifications explicitly list this setting.
Whirlpool
Whirlpool France lists the MWF259SG with a 25 L cavity and no turntable, microwave and grill settings, and dimensions of 49 × 32,5 × 46,8 cm.
- The lack of a turntable may be useful if you use dishes that don’t fit its shape well; be sure to measure the inside too.
- The features listed for this model aren’t enough to establish that it offers fan-assisted cooking.
LG
The MJ3965ACR is a larger combination model: LG France lists a 39 L capacity, a grill and a convection function.
- Its settings are worth considering if you plan to cook without a traditional oven.
- With listed external dimensions of 54,0 × 32,5 × 52,3 cm, you’ll need to check that you have enough depth in particular.
Microwaves for these uses on Joybuy
This selection includes microwave-only models for reheating and defrosting, as well as grill models if you also want to brown dishes. If you want to cook with fan-assisted heat without a separate oven, check that the model you’re considering explicitly offers this setting.
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Beko MGC20100B1, 20 L grill microwave, 700 W, black
Worth considering if you reheat and defrost meals, with a grill for occasional browning. Check the ventilation clearance and which containers are suitable for grill mode.
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Electrolux EMZ725MMTI Inverter, 25 L grill microwave, 900 W, titanium
The microwave and grill settings suit a mix of reheating and browning. Measure the available space and check the manual to see which containers are suitable for each setting.
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COMFEE CM-E202CC(BK), 20 L microwave, 700 W, black
For reheating and defrosting, without the need to brown food. The model name lists 11 power levels and 6 preset menus; check electrical compatibility and the clearances specified in the manual before installation.
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Samsung MS23K3513 Solo Quick Defrost, 23 L microwave
This microwave-only model is suited to reheating and defrosting, with no grill listed. Measure the space and check the manual for ventilation clearances; don’t confuse the connection power listed in the product name with its microwave output.
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LG Electronics MH 6535 gih, 25 L grill microwave, white
The grill adds an option for browning food as well as reheating and defrosting. Check the microwave output for the exact model and the ventilation clearances specified in its manual.
Frequently asked questions
Which microwave should I choose if I mainly want to reheat and defrost?
A microwave-only model is suited to these uses and can also handle some simple cooking tasks. According to the UFC-Que Choisir guide, grill and combination models offer additional options, so choose one if you genuinely plan to brown food or use its extra cooking settings.
Can a grill microwave replace a traditional oven?
Not for every type of cooking: the grill is mainly for browning, while fan-assisted cooking requires a model that explicitly offers this setting. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes the features of grill microwaves from those of combination models; check the settings on the model you’re considering before relying on it to cook without an oven.
How should I install a freestanding microwave in a kitchenette?
Place it on a flat surface and don’t block its ventilation openings. Whirlpool gives this general installation advice; the manual for the model you buy specifies the clearances to leave around the appliance.
Is a container that’s safe for microwave use also suitable for the grill?
Not necessarily. UFC-Que Choisir says plastic should be reserved for microwave mode, unless the manufacturer says otherwise, and advises against using sealed containers. Check the container and the instructions for each setting before use.