People in studios or student accommodation without an oven
If you reheat and defrost meals in a small space, think about whether you also need to brown toppings or cook oven-style dishes before choosing your appliance’s functions.
Who is this guide for?
Tenants kitting out a kitchenette
If the microwave will be your main cooking appliance, consider your usual meals alongside the space available. A grill browns the surface, while fan cooking requires a model that specifically lists this function.
People with a second home that doesn’t have a suitable oven
For everyday meals with a freestanding appliance, make sure you have a stable surface, follow the ventilation instructions in the manual and use a power supply that’s suitable for the model.
What should you check before buying?
The key question is whether you’ll use the microwave just for reheating, or whether it also needs to handle some of the cooking you’d usually do in an oven.
Solo
Choose this if : you mainly reheat and defrost food.
Limitation : it doesn’t have a grill for browning or fan cooking for oven-style dishes.
Grill
Choose this if : you’d sometimes like to brown or grill a dish, as well as use the microwave for everyday cooking.
Limitation : a grill on its own doesn’t provide the fan cooking found in a combination microwave.
Combination microwave with fan cooking
Choose this if : you regularly need to cook oven-style dishes and don’t have a usable conventional oven.
Bear in mind : check its depth and weight carefully, along with the required clearances, before choosing a spot for it.
| What to consider | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking functions | Look for defrosting and a grill, and, if needed, a function explicitly named ‘fan cooking’, ‘convection’ or ‘fan-assisted cooking’. | Will I mainly reheat meals, or do I also need to brown toppings and regularly cook oven-style dishes? |
| Space and dishes | Compare the external width, depth and height, the door clearance, the cavity dimensions and the turntable diameter, where listed. Check the weight if the surface is lightweight. | My plates and dishes need to fit inside, without the appliance taking up all the available worktop space. |
| Ventilation | Check the model’s manual for the required clearances. Whirlpool France advises keeping the ventilation grilles clear and not placing anything on top of the appliance. | I can set aside a spot with enough room around the vents. |
| Power supply and use | Check the model’s stated power consumption, voltage and frequency against your home’s electrical supply. The microwave output alone doesn’t tell you everything about its power requirements. Follow the manual for use and cleaning, too. | If I’m using this appliance to prepare everyday meals, I want to be able to install and use it in line with its instructions. |
What should you look out for?
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Confusing a grill with fan cooking
A grill can brown the surface of a dish, but it can’t provide fan cooking on its own.
If you plan to cook oven-style dishes regularly, look for ‘fan cooking’, ‘convection’ or ‘fan-assisted cooking’ in the model’s list of functions.
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Choosing based on capacity alone
The stated capacity doesn’t tell you whether your dishes will fit on the turntable, or whether the appliance will fit on your worktop with the door open.
Measure the space and the dishes you usually use, then compare them with the model’s external dimensions, cavity and turntable.
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Installing a freestanding model without room for ventilation
Blocked grilles go against the installation advice highlighted by Whirlpool France.
Keep the vents clear, don’t put anything on top of the appliance and follow the clearance instructions in the manual.
A few brands to compare
These examples highlight features to compare on specific models, rather than making assumptions about an entire brand’s range.
Panasonic
The range includes solo and combination models. The right choice depends on the space you have and the types of cooking you need.
- Panasonic France says the combination NN-C69KSM uses a heating element and fan for its fan-cooking function.
- For a kitchenette, compare the dimensions of your chosen model with the available space and the dishes you use.
Whirlpool
The MCP349WH is worth considering if you’re looking for a combination microwave with an oven-style cooking mode.
- Whirlpool France lists a fan-assisted cooking mode on the MCP349WH.
- Check the model’s dimensions and ventilation instructions before deciding where to put it.
Samsung
Samsung France divides its freestanding range into solo, grill and combination models.
- This makes it easier to start with the functions that suit your meals, rather than focusing on capacity alone.
- Check the functions and specifications of the exact model you choose: they vary across the range.
Electrolux
The EMZ421MMK is an example of a microwave with a grill for browning and grilling dishes.
- Electrolux France lists microwave, grill and microwave-with-grill modes for this model.
- These modes shouldn’t be confused with a fan-cooking function.
Microwaves available at Joybuy
These models cover solo, grill and combination options for a kitchenette without a conventional oven. Compare their functions with the meals you prepare, then check the available space for each appliance.
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Beko MGC20100B1 microwave with grill, 20 L, 700 W, black
Worth considering if you want to reheat meals and brown the top of some dishes. The title lists a 20 L capacity and 700 W power. Check the model’s documentation for its defrost function, dimensions and ventilation clearances. If you need fan cooking, make sure the model explicitly lists this function.
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Heinrich's solo microwave, 20 L, 700 W, with defrost function
This solo model is suited to meals that mainly need reheating or defrosting. The title lists 6 power levels and a 30 min timer. If you want to brown dishes or use fan cooking, check that the model has the functions you need before choosing it. See the manual for installation instructions, too.
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Samsung MS23K3513 solo microwave, Quick Defrost, 23 L
Consider this model if you mainly need to reheat and defrost, rather than cook oven-style dishes. The title lists 1150 W, but doesn’t specify what this power figure refers to, so check the model’s electrical specifications. Also compare the size of your dishes with the interior space, and follow the manual’s ventilation instructions.
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LG Electronics MH 6535 gih microwave with grill, 25 L, white
The grill is useful for browning some dishes as well as using the microwave. The title lists 1000 W, but doesn’t specify what this power figure refers to, so check the electrical specifications and clearance requirements in the manual. If you need fan cooking, check separately that this function is included.
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SHARP YC-MC422AE-SB 3-in-1 combination microwave, 42 L
If you also want to cook oven-style dishes, check the specific cooking modes on this 3-in-1 combination microwave. Its stated 42 L capacity means you’ll need to think carefully about the space available: compare its dimensions and weight, and make sure the surface is stable. Then check the manual for clearance requirements. Also check the defrost function and electrical specifications if they’re important for how you plan to use it.
Frequently asked questions
Can a solo microwave replace an oven in a kitchenette?
Not for every meal: a solo model is best suited to reheating and defrosting. If you regularly need to cook using fan heat, look for a combination microwave that explicitly lists this function, and check that it will fit in your kitchenette.
Is a microwave with a grill enough for cooking without an oven?
It could be, if the extra function you need is to brown or grill certain dishes. For oven-style fan cooking, check that the model’s specifications also list a convection or fan-assisted cooking function.
What should I measure before installing a microwave in a kitchenette?
Measure the available width, depth and height, the clearance needed to open the door and the dishes you usually use. For a freestanding model, keep the ventilation grilles clear and check the installation clearances in the manual. Whirlpool France also advises against placing anything on top of the appliance.
Why should I check the model’s electrical specifications?
The microwave output alone doesn’t tell you everything about the power supply required, particularly if the appliance has other cooking modes. Compare the stated power consumption, voltage and frequency on the product details or rating plate with your electrical supply and the instructions in the manual.