Student without a conventional oven
If you’d also like to cook some dishes using fan-assisted heat, consider a combi microwave. You’ll need to install it on a suitable surface, with enough depth and the clearances specified in the manual.
Which option is right for you?
Student who mainly reheats meals
For leftovers, ready meals and defrosting, a solo microwave covers the main essentials without making you pay for extra cooking functions you may not need.
Student who also wants to brown and crisp food
If you reheat food every day but would also like to brown some dishes, look at models with a grill. This feature doesn’t mean the appliance has fan-assisted cooking.
What should you check before buying?
Solo microwave
Choose this if: you mainly reheat and defrost food, and don’t expect the appliance to brown dishes or cook like an oven.
The trade-off: it doesn’t have a grill or fan-assisted cooking.
Grill microwave
Choose this if: browning or crisping food is the extra function you need.
The trade-off: a grill on its own won’t cover cooking that requires fan-assisted heat.
Combi microwave
Choose this if: you don’t have an oven and want to be able to cook some dishes using fan-assisted heat in the same appliance.
The trade-off: the model’s size and weight may make it difficult to install in a small space.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Space and ventilation | Measure the appliance and allow for the door to open, then check the clearances required in the manual. Make sure the supporting surface is stable and can take the weight. | In a studio flat with limited worktop space, I need to be able to install the appliance without blocking its vents first and foremost; around 36% of consumers rank this as a priority. |
| Reheating and defrosting | Check the controls, power settings, defrost function and capacity to make sure they suit your portions. | If I mainly plan to reheat meals and defrost food, controls designed for these tasks are all I need; this is the main requirement for around 29% of consumers. |
| Oven-style cooking | Look specifically for fan-assisted or convection cooking, its temperature range and any required accessories; a grill alone isn’t enough. | Without a conventional oven, I want to be able to cook some dishes that need fan-assisted heat; around 21% of consumers make this their priority. |
| Browning and crisping | Check that the appliance has a grill and read the instructions on which dishes and accessories can be used in this mode. | I mainly want to give some dishes a golden finish, without needing fan-assisted cooking; this is the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based only on capacity in litres
A large cavity doesn’t guarantee the appliance will fit on your unit. For example, the Whirlpool MWSC9133SB has a stated capacity of 33 L, but is also 54 cm deep and weighs 27,45 kg, according to its Whirlpool France product information.
Measure the space, allowing for ventilation clearances and the door to open, and check the supporting surface before settling on a capacity.
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Confusing a grill with fan-assisted cooking
A grill is for browning food. If you want to cook some dishes in a similar way to an oven, check that the appliance has a convection or fan-assisted cooking function.
If your accommodation doesn’t have an oven, check the model’s list of cooking modes and temperature range rather than relying on the word ‘grill’ alone.
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Using the same dishes in every mode
Instructions vary between microwave, grill and convection modes. Que Choisir notes, for example, that plastic suitable for microwave mode isn’t suitable for grill or convection mode.
Check the markings on your containers and follow the model’s instructions for each mode, including for any accessories supplied.
Brands to compare
Whirlpool
Whirlpool offers freestanding microwaves with a range of cooking modes, including the MWSC9133SB, which has microwave and grill functions.
- Whirlpool France lists a 33 L capacity and a 36 cm turntable for the MWSC9133SB.
- This model also measures 49 × 37,3 × 54 cm and weighs 27,45 kg, so check your unit and the space needed for ventilation.
Panasonic
Panasonic’s range includes combi models that combine microwave, grill and convection functions, with additional features varying by model.
- Panasonic France states that the NN-CD58RS has convection settings from 30 to 220 °C.
- Panasonic France lists the NN-C69KSM as 520 mm deep and weighing 22,2 kg, so available space and a suitable supporting surface are still essential.
Samsung
Samsung’s advice distinguishes between solo microwaves, grill models and combi microwaves, depending on the type of cooking you’re looking for.
- This distinction helps you separate reheating, browning and additional cooking functions.
- Ventilation clearances for a freestanding appliance depend on the model, so read the manual before deciding where to put it.
A grill model to consider
This model suits anyone looking for a grill microwave to reheat, defrost and brown food in a small home. If you also want to cook with fan-assisted heat because you don’t have an oven, check separately that the model you’re considering has this function.
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Electrolux EMZ421MMTI 21 L Titanium
Worth considering if you want to reheat and defrost food, with a grill for browning some dishes too.
Stated capacity: 21 L; stated power: 800 W.
Before buying, check the space needed for the door to open, ventilation clearances and the weight your unit can support. If fan-assisted cooking is essential, make sure this mode is explicitly listed in the product information.
Frequently asked questions
What should I measure before installing a microwave in a studio flat?
Measure the available width, height and depth, allowing for the door to open and the clearances specified in the manual. Samsung France gives 10 cm at the back and sides, and 20 cm above, as general guidance for a freestanding model, but the requirements for your chosen model take priority. Also check the weight your unit can support and the size of the dishes you’ll be using.
Can a combi microwave replace a conventional oven?
It can cover some oven functions if it has a convection or fan-assisted cooking function, but it won’t be a complete replacement. What it can do depends on factors such as the cavity, temperatures, accessories and cooking modes specified in the manual; a grill alone isn’t enough.
Can I use the same dish in microwave and grill modes?
Not always: choose a container that’s suitable for the mode you’re using. Que Choisir says that plastic suitable for microwave mode isn’t suitable for grill or convection mode. For racks and other accessories, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Does the stated cooking power in watts tell me how much power I need for the electrical connection?
No. The stated power for microwave or grill mode alone doesn’t tell you the appliance’s total power consumption. To check the electrical connection in your home, refer to the rating plate and manual for the exact model.