For reheating and defrosting in a studio flat, a solo microwave is usually enough; choose one with a grill if you also want to brown food regularly. A combination microwave serves a different purpose: it lets you cook dishes using an oven mode when you don’t have a working oven. Before choosing a model, check its external dimensions, how the door opens and the clearances specified in its manual.
If you mainly reheat and defrost food, and don’t need your microwave to act as your main oven, a solo model is a good place to start. However, check its actual footprint rather than relying on its capacity in litres.
If you want to brown the tops of certain dishes without adding another cooking appliance, a grill function could be just what you need. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes grill models from solo microwaves on this basis.
If you also plan to cook dishes that need an oven mode, consider combination models with this function. They offer more cooking modes, but you’ll need to check that you have enough space, and that the settings and suitable cookware meet your needs.
Start with the meals you prepare, then measure the entire space available. The internal capacity won’t tell you whether the appliance will fit with the required clearances.
| Feature | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Space and ventilation | Measure the width, height and depth, and check how far the door opens. Allow for the clearances specified in the model’s manual. | In a very compact kitchenette, I need to be able to place the appliance without blocking its vents or access to the door. Around 33% of consumers put this installation requirement first. |
| Simple reheating | Check the power or defrost settings, and make sure there’s enough room for the plates you usually use. | If my meals mainly need reheating or defrosting, I’d rather have controls suited to those tasks than modes I won’t use. This is the priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Grill browning | Check that it has a grill, and consult the manual to see which containers and accessories are suitable for this mode. | If I regularly want to brown a portion without making oven cooking a priority, I’m looking for a grill as well as reheating. Around 20% of consumers prioritise browning food. |
| Oven-style cooking | Check for an oven or convection mode, its temperature range and the usable dimensions for your dishes. | Without a working oven, I want to be able to cook dishes that need more than microwave mode alone. Having this cooking function in a single appliance comes first for around 20% of consumers. |
A small cavity doesn’t necessarily mean the appliance is shallow or that it can be installed with enough room for air to circulate. Samsung France provides ventilation guidelines, but notes that requirements vary by model.
Measure the available space and check how far the door opens, then consult the manual for the clearances required for your appliance.
An oven mode offers little benefit if you only plan to reheat and defrost food. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes solo, grill and combination models according to their cooking functions.
Think about the meals you usually prepare, and choose a combination model only if you’ll actually use it for oven cooking.
Anses warns that reheating food at too high a power level increases the risk of substances migrating from the packaging into the food.
Follow the packaging instructions for power and cooking time. If they say to transfer the food, use a suitable container.
In France, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a business to a consumer, as the Ministry of the Economy points out. A retailer’s extended warranty is separate from this right.
Before taking out an extended warranty, compare what it covers with the protection already provided by the statutory guarantee, and keep the documents describing your appliance.
The features below apply to the specific models mentioned, not to every appliance from each brand.
The EMZ421MMK is an example of a freestanding microwave with a grill for browning food, without stepping up to a fan-assisted oven mode.
The NN-DF38 is an example of a combination model to consider if oven-style cooking is one of the ways you plan to use it.
The MC32DG7646CKE1 is a multifunctional option for anyone who genuinely expects to use several cooking modes.
The Whirlpool models mentioned show the difference between a basic freestanding microwave, a freestanding combination model and a built-in appliance.
These freestanding models cover basic reheating and reheating with a grill. For each model, compare its dimensions with your available space and consult the manual before planning the installation.
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Worth considering if you want to defrost, reheat and brown food with a freestanding appliance. The product details list a grill mode, combination modes, 900 W microwave power and external dimensions of 55 × 42 × 34 cm. Check the manual for the required clearances, particularly at the rear, as well as the electrical specifications and plug type of the unit being sold.
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This solo model is designed for reheating and defrosting, with mechanical controls. It offers 700 W of power, six power levels and a 30-minute timer. The stated external dimensions are 452 × 362 × 262 mm. Check the door opening, clearances in the manual and whether the plug is compatible with your installation.
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This freestanding model combines reheating and defrosting with a grill for browning food. It’s listed as having 700 W of microwave power and mechanical controls. Check the manual for the clearance required above the appliance, plug requirements and which containers are suitable for each mode.
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For reheating or defrosting meals, this model has two mechanical controls and offers 700 W, six power levels and a 30-minute timer. Its stated dimensions are 44,6 × 36,3 × 24,3 cm. Check the manual for the required clearances and electrical specifications before deciding where to put it.
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This solo microwave is for anyone who prefers digital controls for reheating and defrosting. The product details list 700 W, 11 power levels, six preset menus and dimensions of 440 × 319 × 259 mm. Consult the manual for the required clearances, plug requirements and cleaning instructions for this model.
Not if you mainly reheat and defrost food: a solo model will do the job. According to the functions distinguished by UFC-Que Choisir, a grill adds browning, while a combination model with an oven mode is worth considering if you genuinely plan to cook this way.
Follow the clearances specified in your model’s manual. Samsung France gives general guidelines of 10 cm at the back and sides and 20 cm above, but notes that these requirements can vary. Panasonic support also reminds users to keep the vents clear and place the appliance on a flat, stable surface.
No. Check the tray instructions for microwave use, particularly the power level and cooking time. Anses warns that reheating at too high a power level increases the risk of substances migrating from the packaging. For grill or convection mode, also check the appliance manual and make sure the container is suitable for the mode you’ve chosen.
Don’t continue using the appliance without checking the manufacturer’s instructions. Panasonic support advises users not to use the model covered by its guidance if the protective inner surface is no longer intact.
No. According to the Ministry of the Economy, the statutory guarantee of conformity is compulsory for new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a consumer in France. A retailer’s extended warranty is a separate offer: check what extra cover it provides without confusing it with your legal rights.