If you mainly want to reheat and defrost food in a small home, start by considering a solo microwave. Choose a model with a grill if you’d also like to brown or crisp dishes; consider a combination microwave if you’ll regularly use fan-assisted cooking for some of your meals. Whichever type you choose, check its dimensions, installation instructions and turntable size against your available space and the dishes you use.
If you mainly need to reheat and defrost meals, start by considering a solo microwave. Measure your worktop and plates before choosing a 20 L model: capacity alone doesn’t tell you whether your dishes will fit on the turntable.
A microwave with a grill lets you brown or crisp food as well as reheat meals. However, check which containers are suitable for each setting: a microwave-safe container may not be suitable for the grill.
If you plan to cook regularly using fan-assisted heat, a combination microwave can take on some of an oven’s jobs as well as reheating food. Check that it will fit on your worktop and that you have the accessories needed for the dishes you plan to make.
Start with the meals you make, then compare the features you need with the space available and the size of your dishes.
| What to consider | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Space | Compare the appliance’s external height, width and depth with the space available. Check the manual for required clearances and make sure the door can open. | In my kitchenette, I want to be able to position the appliance and take out a dish without a wall or another appliance getting in the way. |
| Cookware and crockery | Compare the turntable diameter with the size of your plates and dishes. The capacity in litres tells you the volume of the cavity, not the size of the dishes that will fit and turn inside it. | My usual plates need to fit inside the appliance, without choosing an external size that takes up more worktop space than necessary. |
| Cooking settings | For reheating and defrosting, check the features of the solo model. The grill is for browning; a combination microwave’s fan-assisted heat is suited to other kinds of cooking. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between these three types of appliance in its buying guide. | If I only want to reheat leftovers, I don’t need the same appliance as someone who often browns food or cooks without another oven. |
| Containers | Check which containers are suitable for the setting you want to use. UFC-Que Choisir notes that plastic suitable for microwave mode must not be used with the grill or convection setting. For packaged meals, follow the power and cooking-time instructions highlighted by Anses. | I sometimes reheat food in its packaging and want to know when to switch containers or settings. |
A 20 L model may have a turntable that’s too small for some dishes, while a larger cavity usually means a bigger appliance overall.
Measure your plates and the space available, then compare the turntable diameter and external dimensions. Whirlpool’s MWP201SB and Brandt’s GE2626W product specifications list turntable diameters of 24,5 and 32 cm respectively.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, a combination microwave adds fan-assisted cooking to reheating and grilling. These extra settings may not affect your choice if you only reheat and defrost food.
Make a note of the dishes you actually prepare: reheating points to a solo model, browning to a grill model, and regular fan-assisted cooking to a combination microwave.
The Bosch manuals for the freestanding FEL023M and FEL053M microwaves state that they are not intended to be installed or used in a built-in unit.
Before setting aside a space for your appliance, check the installation type and required clearances in the manual for the model you’re buying.
Plastic that’s suitable for microwave mode may melt under the grill or convection setting, as UFC-Que Choisir points out. Anses also warns that heating food for too long or at too high a power setting can increase the transfer of substances from some food packaging.
Check that your container is suitable for the selected setting and follow the power and cooking-time instructions on ready-meal packaging.
These models illustrate features worth comparing; their specifications don’t apply to every model from the same brand.
The brand offers, among other options, freestanding solo and grill microwaves.
The FEL023MS2 is an example of a freestanding microwave with a grill.
Samsung’s French range includes combination microwaves with convection.
The GE2626W is an example of a freestanding grill microwave with a turntable that can accommodate larger dishes.
This selection includes solo microwaves and models with a grill for reheating, defrosting or browning food in a small home. Fan-assisted cooking is a separate feature to consider if you’re looking at a combination microwave.
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Worth considering if you want to reheat and defrost food, as well as brown some dishes using the grill. Measure your dishes and check the installation clearances, along with which containers are suitable for grill mode.
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This grill model is suited to a mix of reheating and browning. If power is a key factor for you, check which setting the figure in the product title refers to; also consult the manual for the required clearances.
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For reheating and defrosting without a grill, the product name lists six power levels and a 30-minute timer. Check the size of your plates, along with the installation type and clearances specified in the manual.
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For reheating and defrosting with digital controls, the product name lists six preset programmes and eleven power levels. Compare the turntable size with your dishes and check the manual for the required installation clearances.
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Worth considering for reheating meals and drinks without a grill. If you defrost food regularly, check which controls are provided for this; also measure your plates and consult the installation instructions.
Measure the width, height and depth of the space, then compare them with the appliance’s external dimensions and the clearances specified in the manual. Also check that the door can open and that the turntable is large enough. Don’t assume a freestanding appliance can be built in: the Bosch manuals for the FEL023M and FEL053M models rule out this type of installation.
It may be suitable for reheating a meal for one, provided your plates and dishes fit in the cavity and on the turntable. For example, Whirlpool lists a 24,5 cm turntable for its 20 L MWP201SB, while Brandt lists a 32 cm turntable for its 26 L GE2626W. Measure your dishes rather than choosing based on capacity alone.
No. A container that’s suitable for microwave mode isn’t automatically suitable for the grill or convection setting. UFC-Que Choisir advises against using plastic with these heating settings. For a ready meal in its packaging, also follow the power and cooking-time instructions highlighted by Anses.
Take it to an appropriate collection point for waste electrical and electronic equipment rather than putting it in household rubbish. The French ministry responsible for the ecological transition explains how this recycling route works for household appliances in France. Contact your local authority or the retailer to find out what options are available.