You mainly reheat meals
Whether you live in student accommodation or a holiday home, you want to reheat meals and drinks, then defrost portions, without adding lots of appliances. These are the basic uses identified by UFC-Que Choisir.
Who is this guide for?
You cook without a conventional oven
You’d also like to make gratins or cook oven-style dishes in a compact kitchen. A grill and convection cooking suit different recipes, so your choice depends on what you actually plan to cook.
Worktop space is limited
Check how much room the appliance needs, including space for the door to open and for ventilation, as well as the model’s electrical specifications. For example, the Samsung MC28H5015** manual specifies clearances for this particular model.
What should you prioritise?
Start with the cooking you plan to do, then measure the space available. Extra features won’t help if the appliance or your dishes don’t fit.
Solo microwave
Choose this if: you mainly want to reheat and defrost food.
The trade-off: it won’t meet your needs if you want to brown dishes or cook with convection.
Microwave with grill
Choose this if: you’d also like to brown or crisp the top of a dish now and again.
The trade-off: a grill alone doesn’t provide convection cooking.
Combination microwave with convection
Choose this if: you don’t have an oven and want to cook oven-style dishes in the same appliance.
The trade-off: UFC-Que Choisir assesses these functions separately, and results vary by model. Check which dishes you can cook and how much space the appliance needs before making it your main cooking solution.
| Feature | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Compare the defrost settings and usable turntable size. UFC-Que Choisir tests reheating and defrosting separately. | I mainly want to prepare portions quickly and reheat meals, without needing oven-style cooking; around 31% of consumers make this their priority. |
| Occasional browning | Check that it has a grill setting and find out which accessories can be used with it. | I want to brown a gratin now and then, so I’m looking for a finishing function rather than an appliance designed for baking; this is the priority for around 23% of consumers. |
| Cooking without an oven | Check for convection, the available temperature settings and the space for your dishes. Look at tests of the model for the types of cooking that matter to you. | Without a conventional oven, I also want to cook or roast dishes; around 31% of consumers prioritise this use. |
| Installation | Measure the space, allowing for the clearances specified in the manual, and compare the appliance’s power requirements with your home’s electrical supply. | If my worktop space or electrical supply limits my options, I need to address that before comparing cooking modes; this comes first for around 15% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based on capacity alone
The stated capacity doesn’t guarantee that your dish or plate will fit. For example, Panasonic lists a capacity of 30 L and a 31.5 cm turntable for the NN-C69K: these are two different measurements.
Measure the dish you use most often, then check the turntable, internal dimensions and door opening of the model you’re considering.
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Squeezing a freestanding appliance between cabinets
Clearance requirements vary by model. The Samsung MC28H5015** manual requires at least 10 cm at the back and on each side, and 20 cm above.
Before setting aside a space for your appliance, allow for the clearances specified in the manual for that exact model.
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Assuming all combination microwaves cook in the same way
UFC-Que Choisir assesses the grill, combination cooking, convection, preheating and temperature accuracy separately. The presence of a setting alone doesn’t tell you how well it performs.
First decide which recipes you want to make, then look for the features and test results relevant to those cooking modes for the exact model.
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Ignoring the instructions on food packaging
According to Anses, overheating food can increase the migration of substances from some types of packaging into food.
Follow the packaging instructions for power and cooking time. For each cooking mode, use only the containers and accessories permitted in the appliance manual.
Brands to compare
Samsung
The range includes freestanding combination microwaves. According to Samsung France, the MC28H5015CK/EF combines microwave, grill and convection functions.
- For this model, Samsung lists a capacity of 28 L, microwave power of 900 W and a power supply of 230 V / 50 Hz.
- The manual specifies exact ventilation clearances. Check the requirements for the model you choose rather than assuming they apply to the entire range.
Whirlpool
Whirlpool offers combination microwaves with grill and convection, both freestanding and built-in, depending on the range.
- Darty lists the MWP295B as a freestanding 29 L model with fan-assisted cooking, measuring 30 × 53,9 × 49,7 cm.
- These dimensions and features apply to the MWP295B. Check the product details and manual for any other model.
Panasonic
The range includes combination microwaves with microwave, grill and convection functions, with different capacities available depending on the model.
- Panasonic lists a capacity of 30 L and a 31.5 cm turntable for the NN-C69K, with convection adjustable to 40 °C or between 100 and 220 °C.
- Check that the turntable and cavity of your chosen model can accommodate your dishes. Capacity in litres alone won’t tell you.
Products for different needs
These Joybuy products cover three different needs: reheating with a solo microwave, browning with a grill and the extra cooking options offered by a combination microwave. In a small kitchen, also check how much space you’ll need and read the manual for your chosen model.
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LG Electronics MH 6535 gih with grill, 25 L, white
A good option for reheating and defrosting, with the added convenience of an occasional grilling function. The product name specifies a capacity of 25 L and a grill. If you want convection cooking, look for a different model.
Before installation, check the manual for ventilation clearances and power requirements.
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Electrolux EMZ725MMTI Inverter with grill, 25 L, Titanium
Worth considering if you want to switch between reheating, defrosting and occasional grilling. The product name specifies 25 L and 900 W. The microwave and grill combination mode is not the same as convection cooking.
Before choosing a spot for it, check the manual for clearance and electrical requirements.
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SHARP YC-MC422AE-SB combination microwave, 42 L
Consider this if you want several cooking modes in one appliance and have enough room for a 42 L model. Check that its modes suit your recipes and that your dishes will fit inside.
Check the manual for installation details and confirm what’s included in the box before buying.
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COMFEE CM-E202CC(BK), 20 L, black
Designed for prioritising reheating and defrosting over browning or oven-style cooking. The product name specifies 20 L, 700 W, six pre-set menus and eleven power levels.
Measure the space and check the manual for ventilation clearances and power requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Can a combination microwave replace an oven?
It can handle some oven-style cooking, particularly with grill and convection functions, but it may not fit your larger dishes or suit all your recipes. UFC-Que Choisir assesses combination cooking, convection, preheating and temperature consistency separately, so compare these features for the model you’re considering.
How much space should you leave around a freestanding combination microwave?
Follow the clearance requirements in the manual for your exact model, as well as checking its external dimensions. For example, the Samsung MC28H5015** manual requires at least 10 cm behind and on each side, and 20 cm above. These clearances don’t necessarily apply to other appliances.
Does the microwave wattage tell you how much power the appliance draws from the socket?
No. Microwave power and electricity consumption are two different specifications. For the MC28H5015CK, Samsung France lists microwave power of 900 W and power consumption of 1 400 W in microwave mode, at 230 V / 50 Hz. Check the specifications for your chosen model and your home’s electrical supply.
How should you reheat food in its packaging?
Follow the packaging instructions for power, cooking time and use of the container, as well as the appliance manual. According to Anses, overheating food can increase the migration of substances from some types of packaging into food. Also check which accessories are permitted for the cooking mode you’re using.