Students with a kitchenette
When worktop space is limited, start by thinking about the meals you plan to reheat or defrost. Then measure the space needed around the appliance: a suitable cavity capacity is no good if the vents are blocked.
Who are these options for?
People staying in a basic holiday home
For occasional stays, reheating may be all you need. If you also plan to cook without an oven, choose a grill or convection function based on the dishes you’ll actually make.
People cooking without a conventional oven
For dishes that need oven-style cooking, look for a combination model with convection rather than assuming a grill will do the same job. Also check that your cookware will fit inside the cavity.
How do you choose the functions and check the installation?
Que Choisir distinguishes between solo, grill and combination microwaves according to how they cook. Start with the meals you usually make, then check that the model you’re considering fits the available space and follow the instructions in its manual.
Solo microwave
Choose this if: you mainly reheat and defrost food and don’t need to brown dishes.
The trade-off: according to the uses outlined by Que Choisir and Samsung France, it doesn’t provide a grill or convection function for dishes that need those cooking modes.
Grill microwave
Choose this if: you’d also like to brown or crisp certain dishes from time to time.
The trade-off: as Que Choisir’s descriptions of the functions explain, a grill alone can’t replace convection for oven-style cooking.
Combination microwave
Choose this if: you don’t have an oven and plan to cook regularly using convection.
Things to check: check the external dimensions, required clearances and the size of your cookware before setting aside space for it in your kitchenette.
| Priority | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking needs | List the functions available on the model: microwave, grill or convection. Check that the dishes you plan to cook will fit inside the cavity. | Will I mainly reheat portions, or do I need to crisp dishes and cook some meals without an oven? |
| Space and ventilation | Compare the external dimensions and the clearances specified in the manual with the space available. Keep the vents clear; Whirlpool France advises against placing anything on top of the appliance. | The microwave needs to fit on my worktop while leaving enough space around it. |
| Cookware and containers | Check which utensils are suitable for each cooking mode. For food packaged for microwave use, follow the stated heating time and power level: Anses warns that overheating increases the risk of substances migrating from the packaging. | I sometimes use ready meals, so I want to know whether the packaging or my own container is suitable for the mode I choose. |
| Reheating and defrosting | When comparing specific models, look at their results for both uses rather than focusing on just one advertised function. Que Choisir’s test method assesses, among other things, how evenly food is reheated and how well it defrosts. | When I reheat a meal or defrost food, these results matter more to me than programmes I’ll rarely use. |
What should you avoid before buying?
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Relying on cavity capacity alone
An appliance may fit under a shelf but still lack the clearances it needs for ventilation. Its external depth may also be greater than the depth of your worktop.
Measure the space in all three dimensions and follow the clearances specified in the model’s manual. Don’t cover the vents.
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Choosing functions your meals don’t need
A grill is for browning; convection is designed for other types of oven-style cooking. An appliance with more functions is only useful if you plan to use them.
Start with the meals you usually make: reheating and defrosting, the occasional crisped dish, or regular cooking that needs convection.
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Using the same container for every cooking mode
Accessories that are suitable for grill or convection mode may not be suitable for microwave mode. Anses also warns that excessive heating power or time can encourage substances to migrate from food packaging.
Follow the packaging and manual instructions for the mode you’re using. Don’t put metal in the microwave unless the model’s instructions expressly allow it.
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Confusing an advertised function with the results it delivers
A defrost or grill function alone doesn’t tell you how evenly a particular model will defrost food or how well it will brown it. Que Choisir’s test method assesses these uses separately.
If one of these modes is a key reason for your choice, look for comparable tests covering the model and function in question.
Which brand models offer useful points of reference?
These examples show different configurations; their specifications don’t apply to every appliance from each brand.
Whirlpool
Whirlpool France’s freestanding range includes grill and combination models, showing two ways to add cooking functions.
- Whirlpool France describes the MAX49MB as a 13 L grill model with a 28 cm turntable.
- According to Whirlpool France, its 25 L MCP349WH combination model measures 52 cm wide, 30,1 cm high and 49,4 cm deep. Check its depth in particular against your worktop space.
Samsung
Samsung France distinguishes between solo models for reheating and defrosting, grill models for browning and convection models for other types of cooking.
- This distinction can help you decide which cooking mode you need before comparing models.
- Samsung France gives 10 cm of clearance behind and to the sides, and 20 cm above, as a general guide. It also notes that requirements vary by model, so check the manual.
Panasonic
Panasonic France presents the NN-CD88 as a 34 L combination model with microwave, grill, convection and Airfryer functions.
- For the NN-CD88, Panasonic specifies a convection temperature range of 40 to 220 °C, worth considering if you plan to cook oven-style dishes.
- Panasonic says its Inverter technology delivers more consistent power and more even cooking. This is the manufacturer’s claim and doesn’t guarantee how a particular model will perform for your needs.
Microwaves available on Joybuy
These models are suited to reheating in a small kitchen, with a grill option listed for the Whirlpool. If you need the microwave for oven-style cooking, check separately whether the model you’re considering has convection.
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Hisense H25MOBS7H Solo, 25 L, 900 W
An option for reheating meals in a kitchenette, with a stated capacity of 25 L. The title says “Solo”, while the description mentions a grill: check which functions are included with this variant before choosing it for browning or crisping dishes.
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Cecotec countertop microwave, 20 L, 700 W
If you want to prioritise microwave functions in a small home, this model has six power levels. Measure the space and check the manual for the external dimensions and required clearances.
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Whirlpool MWP 101 B grill, 20 L, 700 W
The listed grill function is useful for browning or crisping dishes from time to time, alongside standard microwave use. Check the model’s external dimensions and clearances in the manual before making space for it.
Frequently asked questions
Which microwave should I choose if I only want to reheat and defrost food in a studio flat?
A solo model covers both uses, according to the distinctions made by Que Choisir and Samsung France. Consider a grill for browning or a combination model with convection only if your meals genuinely need those functions.
Can a grill microwave replace an oven?
A grill is mainly for browning and crisping; it can’t replace convection on its own. For oven-style cooking, look for a combination model with this function, then check that your cookware will fit. If it matters to you, also look for test results covering its convection cooking.
How much space should I leave around a freestanding microwave?
Follow the clearances listed in the model’s manual. Samsung France gives 10 cm behind and to the sides, and 20 cm above, as a general guide, but notes that these distances vary by appliance. Make sure the vents are unobstructed.
Can I heat any ready-meal tray or use the same dish in grill mode?
No. Check the packaging instructions and make sure the container is suitable for the mode you’ve chosen. For food packaged for microwave use, Anses recommends following the stated power level and heating time. Check the manual before using an accessory in grill or convection mode too.