A solo microwave may be all you need for reheating and defrosting; choose a grill model if you’d also like to brown food from time to time. If the appliance needs to serve as your main oven, look for a combination model that explicitly includes a fan oven function. In all cases, check the space needed for the appliance, its door to open, your dishes and ventilation.
If you want to bake cakes or roast food as well as reheat meals, look for a combination model with a fan oven function. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes this function from the grill, which is designed for browning food.
For simple meals, reheating and defrosting, start with these needs before adding a grill for occasional browning. Measure the available space and keep the vents clear.
Compare the external dimensions, the space needed to open the door and the size of your dishes. The capacity in litres alone won’t tell you whether an appliance will fit in your kitchen or take your usual baking tin.
First decide whether you need to cook as you would in an oven, just brown food, or mainly reheat and defrost. Then check that the appliance and your dishes will fit in the space available.
| Your needs | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking without a separate oven | An explicitly listed fan oven or convection function, its temperature range and the size of dishes it can accommodate. | I don’t have another oven and want to bake cakes or roast food, not just reheat meals. Around 42% of consumers would make this oven-style cooking need a priority. |
| Reheating and defrosting | Power and defrost settings, as well as dimensions that suit the space available. | For quick meals or occasional use in a holiday home, I prefer simple controls. This would be the main need for around 33% of consumers. |
| Occasional browning | Whether it has a grill and which accessories are approved for this mode. | I want to brown a portion now and then, without expecting the appliance to cook like an oven. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise this browning function. |
A grill browns the surface of food, but having one doesn’t mean a microwave is suitable for baking cakes or roasting. UFC-Que Choisir assesses the grill, combination cooking and fan oven functions separately.
If the appliance is meant to replace your oven, check that convection is listed as one of its cooking modes and that its temperature range suits your recipes.
The shape of the cavity and whether it has a turntable affect which dishes you can use. An appliance may also take up more worktop space than you expect.
Measure the space available and your usual dishes, then check the appliance’s external dimensions, door clearance and the ventilation space specified in the manual.
Whirlpool warns that blocked ventilation can cause the appliance to overheat quickly.
Keep the vents clear and follow the clearance guidance in the manual for the model you choose.
An accessory approved for grill or convection mode may not be suitable for microwave mode. UFC-Que Choisir notes that metal containers are not suitable for the latter.
Check the manual for each mode and only use dishes and accessories it approves.
According to LG France, the MJ3965ACS combines microwave, grill and oven functions in a 39 L appliance.
Panasonic France’s product details describe the NN-CD88 and NN-CS88LB as combination models with convection.
The MWF259SG is a 25 L freestanding model without a turntable. Whirlpool France lists microwave, grill and Crisp functions.
Samsung France’s product details describe the MC28M6035CK as a 28 L combination model with a fan oven function and a turntable stop function.
These models suit different needs in a small kitchen: reheating and defrosting, adding a grill or having a combination model with an oven function. Check the cooking modes for the model you choose before deciding whether it can replace a separate oven.
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Worth considering for reheating, defrosting and occasional browning in a kitchen where space is limited.
The model name lists 700 W microwave power. If you also want to cook as you would in an oven, check that it has a fan oven function rather than relying on the grill alone; also check the ventilation clearances in the manual.
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Worth considering if your main needs are reheating and defrosting, and you don’t need a grill or oven function.
The product name lists 700 W, six power levels and a defrost function. Check the manual to see how much space to leave around the appliance.
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Worth considering if you want one appliance for reheating, browning and some oven-style cooking.
LG France describes this 39 L model as having microwave, grill and oven functions. Before choosing it for a small kitchen, measure the space needed for the appliance and its door, then check the ventilation clearances and the size of dishes it can accommodate.
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Worth considering for reheating and defrosting if you don’t expect the appliance to brown food or replace an oven.
The product name mentions a rapid defrost function. Compare its dimensions with the space available and check the manual for ventilation clearances.
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Worth considering for reheating and defrosting if you’re looking for a 25 L cavity.
The product name lists 900 W. If browning food is important to you, check whether this model has a grill and how it can be used; also check the ventilation requirements and dimensions before deciding where to put it.
It can handle the cooking you have in mind if the model has a fan oven function suited to your recipes and can accommodate your dishes. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes this mode from the grill. Before giving up your separate oven, check the temperature range, preheating and approved accessories.
Keep the vents clear and follow the clearance guidance in the manual for the model you choose. Whirlpool also recommends placing the appliance on a flat surface and, in its installation guidance, keeping it in a room with a temperature between 5 °C and 35 °C.
No: the container must be suitable for the mode you’re using. UFC-Que Choisir states that metal containers are not suitable for microwave mode. Also check the guidance on plastic containers and which accessories the manual approves for grill or convection mode.
First compare the external width, height and depth with the space available, then check the door clearance, ventilation and dimensions of the dishes the appliance can take. The capacity in litres alone won’t tell you whether your baking tin or plate will fit inside.