Everyday reheating and defrosting
In a studio flat, student accommodation or holiday home, you mainly want to reheat a meal or defrost a portion without giving up too much space to your appliance.
Who are these appliances for?
Small dishes to brown
You mainly reheat meals but would sometimes like to brown a small dish. A grill can do this without offering the convection cooking function of an oven.
Cooking with a single appliance
You also prepare dishes that need a grill or convection heat. You’ll need to weigh up the cooking modes you want against the space available and, for a built-in model, the dimensions of the housing unit.
What should you look for?
Start with the cooking mode you genuinely need, then check that the appliance, your dishes and the required installation clearances will fit in your kitchen. A grill lets you brown dishes; for oven-style cooking, Que Choisir distinguishes combination models with convection.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Compare the appliance’s external dimensions with the space available for your plates; check the defrost settings. | If I mainly prepare quick portions, I prefer straightforward operation to extra cooking modes; around 36% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Occasional browning | Check that it has a grill and includes the accessories needed to use it. | If I sometimes want to brown a small dish without regularly cooking in an oven, a grill matters more to me; around 29% of consumers would prioritise this. |
| Versatile cooking | Look for an explicit mention of convection, then compare the dimensions and cooking test results for the model. | To cook pizzas or cakes as well without adding more appliances, I need oven-style functions; around 21% of consumers would put this versatility first. |
| Oven cooking as the main use | Check the housing unit dimensions, installation instructions and cooking modes of the compact oven with microwave function. | If I often cook in the oven and have a suitable housing unit, reheating becomes an additional function; nearly 14% of consumers would prioritise this use. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing a grill with convection
A microwave with a grill can brown dishes, but that doesn’t mean it’s suitable for the kind of cooking you’d use a convection oven for.
If you plan to cook in the oven regularly, look for a convection setting in the model’s specifications and, if possible, read reviews that assess its cooking performance.
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Choosing by capacity in litres alone
The stated capacity doesn’t tell you whether your dishes will fit inside or whether the appliance will fit in the space you have planned. A built-in model also needs a housing unit with precise dimensions.
Measure your dishes and the available space, then compare them with the appliance dimensions and the installation instructions for the exact model.
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Reheating at too high a setting in unsuitable packaging
Anses states that intensive reheating at a higher temperature or for a longer time increases the risk of substances migrating from packaging into food.
Follow the packaging instructions for power and heating time, and use a microwave-safe container; discard damaged packaging.
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Confusing an extended warranty with your legal rights
In France, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a private individual, as the Ministry of the Economy points out. An extended warranty offered at checkout is separate from this right.
Before taking out an extended warranty, compare its length, exclusions and additional services with the legal protection you already have.
Brands to consider
Whirlpool
The range includes freestanding microwaves, including models with a grill or combination cooking functions.
- According to Whirlpool France, the MWF259SG has a 25 l cavity with no turntable, as well as a grill.
- This model measures 49 × 32,5 × 46,8 cm: check its dimensions against your worktop space and the required clearances.
Samsung
Worth considering if you’d like to combine several cooking modes in a freestanding combination microwave.
- Samsung France describes the MC32DG7646CKE1 as a 32 l combination microwave with microwave, grill and oven cooking modes, among others.
- Some connected features on this model require a Samsung account, a Wi-Fi connection and Smart Control to be enabled, so check whether you’ll use them.
Electrolux
The French range includes freestanding and built-in microwaves, depending on how you plan to install yours.
- You can explore models designed for reheating and defrosting, with or without a grill depending on the model number.
- Check the dimensions and features of the specific model rather than assuming they’re the same across the brand.
Bosch
Worth considering if you’re looking for a built-in compact oven with a microwave function and oven cooking is your main priority.
- Bosch Électroménager France lists a 45 l cavity and appliance dimensions of 455 × 594 × 548 mm for the CMG7241B1.
- This size needs a suitable housing unit; the model’s connected features may also require a Home Connect account and an internet connection.
Microwaves available on Joybuy
These freestanding models are mainly suited to reheating and defrosting; the Beko also has a grill. If you’re considering the Hisense for browning dishes, check that the version on offer includes this function.
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COMFEE CM-E202CC(BK), black microwave, 20 l, 700 W
For reheating and defrosting portions when space is limited. The product title lists six pre-set menus and 11 power levels; check the voltage and plug type before installing it in France.
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Samsung MS23K3513, Quick Defrost solo microwave, 23 l, 1 150 W
For reheating meals and defrosting food when these uses matter more than oven cooking. The stated capacity is 23 l; compare its footprint and installation clearances with the space you have available.
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Heinrich's, solo microwave, 20 l, 700 W
For reheating and defrosting in a small kitchen. The product title lists six power levels and a 30-minute timer; check that the voltage and plug are compatible with your installation in France.
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Beko MGC20100B1, microwave with grill, 20 l, 700 W, black
For reheating meals and occasionally browning dishes, without relying on convection. The stated capacity is 20 l; the instructions require at least 10 cm of clearance at the sides and rear.
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Hisense H25MOBS7H, solo microwave, 25 l, 900 W, black
Worth considering if you want to reheat meals in a cavity with a stated capacity of 25 l. The product title describes this as a solo microwave: check that it has a grill before relying on it to brown dishes, and allow for the ventilation clearances specified for installation.
Frequently asked questions
Can a combination microwave replace a conventional oven?
It can replace some of an oven’s functions if the model has a proper convection setting. Also check that its cavity can accommodate your dishes and compare its cooking results for the meals you make often.
What should I measure before buying?
Measure the width, height and depth of the space, as well as your usual dishes. Compare these with the appliance dimensions and the clearances required by the manufacturer. For a built-in model, also check the dimensions of the housing unit.
Can I reheat a meal in any food tray?
No: only use packaging or a container that’s suitable for microwave use, and follow its instructions for power and heating time. Anses warns that intensive reheating increases the risk of substances migrating from the packaging into food; discard damaged packaging too.
Do I need an extended warranty for a microwave bought in France?
You don’t need one to benefit from the legal guarantee of conformity when buying from a business. According to the Ministry of the Economy, this guarantee applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold to a private individual; assess the services and exclusions of any extended warranty separately.