For heating and defrosting food in a studio flat or holiday home, a solo microwave covers the essentials. A grill model is worth considering if you regularly want to brown or crisp dishes. Choose a combination microwave with convection if you also plan to cook as you would in an oven, provided you have enough space. If oven cooking matters more to you than reheating, compare compact ovens too.
If you mainly reheat portions and defrost food, start with a solo microwave. Consider a combination model if you’d also like to cook in an oven using the same appliance. UFC-Que Choisir lists student accommodation as one of the settings in which a microwave may be used.
For occasional meals and reheating leftovers, focus on the features you’ll use while you’re there, rather than choosing an appliance with unnecessary cooking modes. UFC-Que Choisir also lists holiday homes as a setting in which a microwave may be used.
If you need one appliance to grill and cook using convection as well, take a look at combination models. Before deciding where to put one, check its dimensions, ventilation requirements and available modes.
Start with the meals you actually prepare, then compare the features you need with the space available and the installation instructions.
| Priority | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Solo microwave | Check the reheating and defrosting functions, the controls and the size of dishes the appliance can accommodate. | I mainly reheat portions and defrost food, and don’t plan to brown or cook dishes as I would in an oven. |
| Grill | Make sure the model has a grill, and check the manual to see which accessories are permitted for each mode. A grill on its own is not the same as convection. | I’d like to brown or crisp some dishes regularly, as well as reheat them. |
| Combination microwave with convection | Check that it has microwave, grill and convection modes, as well as the dimensions and accessories needed for the dishes you cook. | Without a conventional oven, I also want to use this appliance to cook dishes that need oven-style cooking. |
| Compact oven | Compare the space required, ventilation and cooking functions with those of a combination microwave. Decide whether you also need a microwave for reheating. | I mainly cook using an oven; quick reheating is less important to me. |
| Space and usable capacity | Measure the width, height, depth and door opening. Check the clearances specified in the manual, as well as the turntable or interior space needed for your dishes. Whirlpool France advises not to block the ventilation openings. | My worktop is narrow, and I want to fit the appliance there without obstructing its door or ventilation. |
| Containers and cleaning | Check that your containers are suitable for each mode, and follow the instructions for cleaning the oven cavity. For food packaging, Anses recommends following the manufacturer’s reheating instructions. | I want to use my usual containers when they’re suitable, and be able to clean up splashes easily. |
If you mostly reheat and defrost, you may rarely use the grill and convection modes, while their controls give you more options to navigate day to day.
Make a note of the meals you usually prepare. If browning and oven-style cooking aren’t on the list, compare solo models first.
A suitable interior capacity doesn’t guarantee that the appliance, its door and the clearances required for ventilation will fit in your chosen spot.
Measure your worktop and dishes, then compare these measurements with the model’s external dimensions, turntable and installation instructions.
Anses says that heating food at too high a power or for too long can increase the migration of substances from some food packaging.
Use a container marked as suitable for the mode you’ve chosen, and follow the power and heating time given on the packaging.
The MWP303SB featured by Whirlpool France is an example of a freestanding microwave with a grill.
The MG23K3515AK/EF featured by Samsung France is an example of a freestanding 23 L grill microwave.
The NN-CD575M featured by Panasonic France is an example of a 27 L combination microwave.
This selection includes solo microwaves, a grill model and a combination model. First, choose the features that suit the meals you prepare, then check whether the appliance will fit in your kitchen.
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Worth a look if you want to reheat food and use a grill to brown some dishes too. The product details list a 20 L capacity and 700 W; check the manual for ventilation clearances and which accessories are permitted for each mode.
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For reheating and defrosting without the need for a grill function. The model name specifies six power levels and a 30-minute timer; check that its size and required clearances suit your chosen spot.
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A solo model to consider if you regularly defrost food. Its name specifies the Quick Defrost function and a 1150 W rating; measure the space available and check the ventilation instructions before deciding where to put it.
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Worth comparing if you’d also like to cook with a combination appliance. Its stated 39 L capacity makes it especially important to check the external dimensions, cooking modes and ventilation clearances.
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Consider this for reheating and defrosting if you prefer digital controls. The model name specifies six preset menus and 11 power levels; check the turntable diameter and installation instructions to make sure it suits your dishes and worktop.
A solo microwave covers both jobs. Choose a grill model if you’d also like to brown dishes, or consider a combination model if you plan to cook using convection.
No. Check that the tray is microwave-safe and follow its instructions on power and heating time. Anses warns that heating food at too high a power or for too long can increase the migration of substances from some packaging.
Don’t use a metal container in microwave mode. For grill or combination modes, check the model’s manual: which accessories are allowed can vary depending on the mode you’re using.
Measure the available width, height and depth, then allow for the door to open and the clearances required by the manual. Whirlpool France advises keeping a microwave’s ventilation openings clear.