Without a built-in oven, start by choosing the function you need most day to day: a microwave for reheating and defrosting, a mini oven for cooking oven-baked dishes, or a combination microwave with convection if you want both in one appliance. Whichever you choose, check that your dishes will fit inside and that you can install the appliance with the clearances specified in its instructions.
If you want to reheat and defrost food as well as cook oven-baked dishes, look specifically for microwave and convection modes. The grill is a separate function: having one does not mean the appliance has fan-assisted cooking, as UFC-Que Choisir explains.
For quiches, pizzas and gratins, compare the heating modes, temperature range and space available for your dishes. A mini oven with convection may suit your priorities, but it won’t necessarily offer microwave reheating.
Before adding an appliance, check what’s listed in the inventory and make sure the existing equipment works. According to ANIL, the minimum equipment required in a furnished rental in France includes cooking hobs and either an oven or a microwave; it does not have to be a built-in oven.
Start with the function you can’t do without, then compare the size of your dishes and the space available with the specifications of the model you’re considering.
| What matters | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Combining functions | Check the microwave, defrost, grill and convection modes separately, as well as the size of dishes the appliance can accommodate. | If I need to reheat a meal and then cook a quiche without adding a second appliance, versatility matters more than specialist functions. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this combination of uses. |
| Reheating and defrosting | Look at the defrost programmes and the size of the turntable or cavity. | If most of my meals are ready-made or frozen, I’m mainly looking for an appliance that’s suitable for reheating and defrosting. This is the main requirement for around 29% of consumers. |
| Cooking oven-baked dishes | Check for convection or fan-assisted cooking, the temperature range and the dimensions of the racks or trays. | If I regularly cook pizzas, gratins or roasts, I prioritise oven cooking, even if I need a separate microwave. Around 21% of consumers put these dishes first. |
| Installing the appliance | Measure the space where it will sit and the door clearance; check the instructions for clearances and power requirements. | In a kitchenette, I need to be able to open the door and leave enough ventilation space around the appliance. Installation is the main priority for around 14% of consumers. |
The grill browns food, but it doesn’t confirm that the appliance has fan-assisted cooking for the dishes you want to bake.
Check each mode separately in the product details or instructions, rather than relying on the word ‘combination’ alone.
The shape of the cavity, the turntable and the accessories also determine which dishes will actually fit. For example, Panasonic lists a 315 mm turntable for its 30 L NN-C69KSM.
Measure a dish you use regularly and compare it with the usable dimensions and accessories of the model you’re considering.
Clearance requirements vary by model. The instructions for the Moulinex MO20MSBL microwave, hosted by Darty, specify 30 cm of clear space above the appliance, for example; this measurement doesn’t apply to all countertop ovens.
Before buying, check the required clearances, door opening and electrical requirements in the instructions for the exact model.
In France, ANIL states that a furnished rental must include cooking hobs and either an oven or a microwave. An appliance that’s already provided may meet some of your needs, even if there’s no built-in oven.
Check the inventory and make sure the existing equipment works before choosing an additional appliance.
The range includes countertop combination microwaves that bring together microwave, grill and convection functions, depending on the model.
Samsung offers convection microwaves with grills, among other options, but the available modes depend on the model.
Moulinex countertop mini ovens and air fryer ovens are mainly designed for oven-style or hot-air cooking.
These models offer two options for a kitchen without a built-in oven: a combination microwave for bringing together several cooking modes, and a microwave for prioritising reheating and defrosting. Compare their functions before deciding whether either is also suitable for your oven-baked dishes.
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Worth considering if you want to combine reheating, defrosting and cooking in one appliance: the information for this model lists microwave, convection and grill functions. Check its instructions for the required clearances before making space for it on your worktop.
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According to the information for this model, it combines microwave, grill and convection functions. If you want to use it with your usual dishes, compare their dimensions with the cavity and check the installation guidance in the instructions.
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A good option if you want to prioritise reheating and defrosting while still having a grill. If you also plan to cook oven-baked dishes regularly, check separately whether it has a convection mode, and consult the instructions for installation clearances.
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The microwave and grill offer different functions for reheating and browning; information for this model also lists defrosting. If you’re looking for oven-style cooking, check whether it has convection, and consult its instructions for installation requirements.
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Worth considering if reheating and defrosting matter more to you than oven cooking. The product description lists six pre-set menus and eleven power levels; if you need a grill or convection, check explicitly for these modes, then check the required clearances in the instructions.
According to ANIL, the minimum equipment includes cooking hobs and either an oven or a microwave, so a built-in oven isn’t necessarily provided. Check the inventory attached to your tenancy agreement and make sure the existing equipment works before buying another appliance.
Start with the dishes you use rather than focusing on the litre capacity alone. Panasonic lists a 315 mm turntable for its 30 L NN-C69KSM, for example; for any model you’re considering, also check the shape of the cavity and the dimensions of the racks or turntable.
Follow the clearance guidance in the instructions for the exact model. The instructions for the Moulinex MO20MSBL microwave, hosted by Darty, specify 30 cm of clear space above it, but don’t automatically apply this guidance to another appliance.
Not if you need a microwave to reheat or defrost food: hot-air cooking and reheating programmes don’t mean the appliance has microwave functions. Check the modes on the model you’re considering before deciding to go without a microwave.