If you mainly reheat and defrost food, a basic microwave will cover the essentials; choose one with a grill if you’d also like to brown your dishes. If you regularly want to cook with fan-assisted heat without a traditional oven, consider a combination microwave, making sure it will genuinely fit in your kitchenette. An air fryer or multicooker is suited to different recipes, but won’t automatically replace what you use a microwave for.
If worktop space is limited and you mainly need to reheat or defrost meals, start by looking at a basic microwave. A grill or fan-assisted setting makes more sense if you really do prepare dishes that need browning or oven-style cooking.
For occasional stays, think about whether you’ll mainly be reheating meals or cooking recipes from scratch. A combination microwave brings several cooking modes together, but its size and weight must suit the room and the space you have in mind for it.
It depends on what you cook: UFC-Que Choisir describes air fryers as suitable for cooking, roasting or grilling, and multicookers for dishes such as rice and casseroles. Make sure a second appliance offers a function your current equipment doesn’t already cover.
Start with the meals you prepare most often, then compare the features you need with the space available.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday use | Check the reheating and defrost settings, then make sure the interior dimensions will accommodate your dishes. | I reheat leftovers and defrost food; I want to be able to fit my usual containers inside. |
| Browning | Look for a grill function if you want to brown or crisp the top of a dish. According to UFC-Que Choisir, grilling and fan-assisted cooking are suited to different uses. | A browned top on a pizza or gratin matters more to me than even cooking for cakes or roasts. |
| Oven-style cooking | For a combination microwave, check that it has a fan-assisted setting, its temperature range and the size of dishes it can accommodate. | Without a traditional oven, I’d also like to make recipes that need hot-air cooking in the same appliance. |
| Available space | Measure the width, depth and height, as well as the door opening and ventilation clearance. Compare the external dimensions, not just the cavity capacity. | I need to be able to use my worktop once the appliance is installed and its door is open. |
| Additional cooking options | UFC-Que Choisir describes air fryers as suitable for cooking, roasting and grilling, but notes that they can take up space. Multicookers are used for cooking in a bowl, including programmed cooking. | I’m looking for either roasted or crispy food, or rice and slow-cooked dishes: these needs call for different appliances. |
A grill browns the surface of food, but on its own it doesn’t provide the fan-assisted heat needed for some cakes and roasts.
Make a note of the recipes you genuinely plan to cook. For even, oven-style cooking, check that the model you’re considering has a fan-assisted setting.
A cavity that fits your dishes doesn’t guarantee that the appliance will fit on your worktop with the door open and the required ventilation clearance.
Measure the available space and check the installation clearances specified for the model before comparing capacities in litres.
UFC-Que Choisir points out that an air fryer used alongside other appliances can take up permanent space on your worktop.
Compare the recipes you have in mind with what your current appliance can already do. Set aside space for an air fryer if its cooking modes meet a different need.
A container intended for food contact isn’t necessarily suitable for every heating method. The DGCCRF advises following the instructions for use of food-contact materials and recommends against using films or bags in a microwave unless they are specifically labelled as microwave-safe.
Check the symbols and instructions on the container, as well as those for the appliance, before heating it.
Panasonic France offers basic, grill and combination microwaves.
Whirlpool France offers grill microwaves, including freestanding and built-in models.
LG France offers microwaves from its NeoChef range, with different features depending on the model.
Moulinex offers air fryers and multicookers to consider as additional cooking appliances.
This selection includes basic and grill microwaves for everyday meals, as well as an air fryer to consider for additional cooking options. It doesn’t cover every solution discussed in this article.
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Worth considering if you want to reheat and defrost food, with the option to brown some dishes under the grill. The title lists a microwave power output of 700 W; a grill doesn’t replace a fan-assisted function. Also check how much installation space it needs.
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An option for reheating, defrosting and simple cooking, without a browning function. The title lists 700 W, six power levels, a 30-minute timer and a defrost function. Check the required clearances around the appliance before deciding where to put it.
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Worth considering for reheating and quick defrosting if the 23 L capacity suits your dishes. This basic model isn’t designed for grilling or fan-assisted cooking. Check how much space you’ll need for installation.
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For reheating and defrosting, with the option to brown dishes under the grill. The title lists a 21 L capacity and 800 W microwave power. If you plan to cook cakes or roasts, check that the appliance you’re considering has a fan-assisted setting.
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Worth considering as an extra appliance for small portions of roasted or crispy food, rather than as an automatic replacement for a microwave when defrosting. The title lists a non-stick basket and a 60-minute timer. Measure the available worktop space before choosing this appliance.
Yes, you can use it for some types of cooking as well as reheating and defrosting. UFC-Que Choisir mentions vegetables, potatoes and fish cooked in a parcel, among other examples. If you regularly want to brown dishes or use fan-assisted heat, look at models with a grill or combination cooking functions.
Choose a grill if you mainly want to brown or crisp the top of dishes while keeping the usual microwave functions. If your recipes need fan-assisted heat, look at a combination model instead and measure how much space it will take up before buying.
Not for every task: UFC-Que Choisir describes an air fryer as an appliance for cooking, roasting and grilling, among other things. If quick reheating and defrosting are still essential, think of it as an additional appliance and consider how much space it will take up.
No. The DGCCRF recommends following the instructions for containers intended for food contact. It advises against using films and bags in a microwave unless they are specifically labelled as microwave-safe. Check the appliance instructions too.
Not necessarily: the amount you can cook depends in part on the model’s fill limits and the recipe. Check the markings inside the bowl and read the instructions before choosing a capacity for your usual portions.