Studio flat renters who mainly reheat food
If you reheat and defrost more often than you cook, a freestanding appliance could suit your needs and is easier to move. Make sure you also have enough space around it.
Who are these appliances for?
People who want to brown food without a second oven
You reheat meals every day, but would sometimes like to brown a dish. As UFC-Que Choisir points out, the grill function is useful for this, but it doesn’t provide fan-assisted cooking on its own.
People with a holiday home who cook occasionally
If you sometimes make dishes that need oven-style cooking and don’t have room for several appliances, look at the modes offered by a combination microwave, as well as its actual dimensions.
What should you look for?
UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between a grill, which is useful for browning food, and a combination microwave, which can also offer fan-assisted cooking. In a small kitchen, start with the dishes you usually make, then measure the available space before choosing a capacity.
Solo microwave
Choose this if: you mainly reheat and defrost.
Limitation: it can’t brown or crisp food.
Grill microwave
Choose this if: you’d also like to brown or crisp food occasionally.
Limitation: a grill doesn’t mean the appliance has fan-assisted cooking.
Combination microwave
Choose this if: you’ll use its extra cooking modes for occasional dishes.
Limitation: check that its dimensions and installation requirements suit your kitchen.
| Consideration | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Size and installation | Measure the appliance, check how far the door opens and note the clearances specified in the manual. For a built-in model, check the dimensions of the housing unit too. | When worktop space is limited, I want to be able to open the door and install the appliance without blocking its ventilation; around 40% of consumers would prioritise its footprint. |
| Occasional cooking | Know the difference between a grill and fan-assisted or convection cooking, then check which modes are available on the model you’re considering. | If I want to brown a dish or cook something occasionally without adding another appliance, cooking functions matter more than reheating alone; around 30% of consumers would put this first. |
| Reheating and defrosting | Look at the controls, power levels and defrosting functions to make sure they suit your routine. | If I often reheat leftovers or defrost portions, I prefer controls that are easy to understand; around 30% of consumers would prioritise this everyday use. |
Mistakes to avoid before buying
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Choosing based on capacity alone
The internal capacity doesn’t tell you whether the appliance, its door and the clearance needed for installation will fit in the space you have in mind.
Compare the external dimensions and the clearances in the manual with your measurements. For a built-in model, check the required housing unit too.
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Buying a combination model just to reheat food
Its extra modes won’t be useful if you don’t plan to brown food or do occasional oven-style cooking.
Think about the dishes you actually make: a solo model is suitable for reheating and defrosting, while a grill or combination model meets different cooking needs.
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Ignoring the ventilation openings
Installation requirements vary by model. Don’t put a freestanding appliance in an enclosed cupboard simply because it fits.
Follow the clearances and installation instructions in the manual for your exact model, and don’t block the ventilation areas.
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Heating food in its packaging for too long
According to Anses, heating food for too long, particularly at a high temperature, can increase the migration of substances from some types of packaging.
Follow the food’s power and heating-time instructions, and only use a microwave-safe container that’s in good condition.
Brands to compare
These range examples can help you identify useful features and installation requirements. Always check the specific model rather than assuming the same features apply across an entire brand.
Whirlpool
The range includes solo, grill and combination models to compare, depending on which features will actually be useful in your kitchen.
- Whirlpool describes the MWP201W as a 20 L, 700 W solo model and the MCP349WH as a combination model with a convection mode.
- Dimensions and cooking modes vary by model, so check them before deciding where to put it.
Bosch
A brand to compare if you’re considering a freestanding grill microwave or an option designed for a fitted kitchen.
- Bosch states that the freestanding FEL023MS2 grill microwave measures 260 × 442 × 345 mm and has a maximum microwave power of 800 W.
- For any other model, check the cooking modes, available space and ventilation instructions separately.
Electrolux
The range lets you compare a freestanding grill microwave with a built-in model, once you know how your kitchen is laid out.
- Electrolux lists microwave and grill modes for the EMZ421MMK.
- For the built-in LMF4263TET, Electrolux specifies a housing unit measuring 380 × 562 × 500 mm. Check all the installation instructions for this specific model.
Samsung
A range to consider if you’re looking for a freestanding solo model with defrosting controls.
- Samsung describes the MS23K3555ES as a 23 L, 800 W solo model.
- Check the features, dimensions and installation requirements for the model you choose. The MS23K3555ES is not the MS23K3513 shown below.
Microwaves to consider on Joybuy
These solo and grill models are mainly for reheating, defrosting and occasional browning. First choose the function you need, then check the available space and installation requirements for the specific model.
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COMFEE CM-E202CC(BK), 20 L, black
For reheating and defrosting, without the need for a grill function.
Listed power is 700 W; six pre-set menus and 11 power levels are included in the model title. Check the clearances and electrical specifications before installation.
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Beko MGC20100B1 with grill, 20 L, black
For switching between reheating and occasional browning, provided there’s space to install this model.
Listed microwave power is 700 W. Check the manual for the required clearances, particularly above the appliance, and confirm the plug type.
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Whirlpool MWP 101 W, 20 L
For reheating and defrosting; a solo model won’t meet your needs if you want to brown food.
Listed power is 700 W. Check the clearances in the manual and the plug type before choosing a spot for it.
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Samsung MS23K3513, 23 L, Quick Defrost
For anyone who prioritises defrosting in a solo microwave over browning food.
The product title mentions an LED display. Don’t confuse the 1150 W shown in the title with the microwave cooking power; check the electrical specifications and clearances in the model documentation.
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LG Electronics MH 6535 gih with grill, 25 L, white
For reheating and occasional browning, provided there’s room for the appliance in your kitchen.
A grill function alone doesn’t confirm that the appliance has fan-assisted cooking. Check the microwave power, clearances and electrical specifications in the model documentation.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between a solo, grill and combination microwave?
A solo model is mainly for reheating and defrosting, a grill adds browning, and a combination model may offer fan-assisted or convection cooking, depending on the model. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between these functions, so check what’s included on the model you’re considering rather than assuming a grill microwave is also a combination model.
Can you put a freestanding microwave in any cupboard?
No. Install it in line with the model’s instructions, including the required ventilation clearances. Check that the door can open fully too, and don’t treat a freestanding model as a built-in appliance unless the manufacturer explicitly says you can.
How should you heat food in its packaging?
If the packaging is microwave-safe, follow its instructions for power, heating time and container use. Anses says that heating food for too long can increase the migration of substances from some packaging into food, so use a suitable container that’s in good condition.
What legal guarantee applies to a new microwave bought from a trader in France?
According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new goods sold by a trader to a consumer. It covers non-conformity of the goods and, in certain circumstances, issues relating to the packaging, instructions or installation.
What should you do with your old microwave when replacing it?
When buying a new appliance, you can ask for an old appliance of the same type to be taken back under the “one-for-one” take-back scheme described by the French Ministry for Ecological Transition. Ask the retailer how to arrange the handover.