If you mainly want to reheat and defrost food, choose a solo microwave. A model with a grill is also useful for browning dishes from time to time. If you don’t have a conventional oven, a combination microwave with convection may handle some additional types of cooking, though it won’t guarantee the same results for every recipe. In a small kitchen, check the external dimensions and the clearances specified in the model’s manual before deciding where to put it.
When worktop space is limited, you may want to reheat and defrost food without adding several appliances. If you also want to cook dishes that would usually go in the oven, a grill alone won’t cover that need. Look at a combination microwave with convection and check the results achieved by the model you’re considering.
For everyday meals, start with the functions you’ll actually use. A solo model handles reheating and defrosting; a grill is useful if you also make dishes that need browning. UFC-Que Choisir lists student accommodation as one of the situations to consider when choosing.
If the kitchen is used occasionally and has limited equipment, a combination microwave can bring several cooking modes together in one appliance. However, measure the space available for ventilation and check the cooking results for the dishes you plan to make.
UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between solo microwaves, models with a grill and combination microwaves with convection. Start by considering the types of cooking you need, then check how much space is required to install the appliance in line with its manual.
Consider this if: reheating and defrosting make up most of your cooking.
Limitation: it won’t replace a grill for browning food or convection for oven-style cooking.
Consider this if: you often reheat food and want to brown some dishes without adding a separate oven.
Limitation: the grill adds browning, but doesn’t provide a convection cooking mode on its own.
Consider this if: you don’t have an oven and want one appliance to handle some oven cooking.
Limitation: results vary by model and preparation; having this mode doesn’t guarantee the same results as a conventional oven.
| What to consider | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking modes | Check which modes are available on the exact model: microwave, grill and convection. Distinguish between dishes that simply need reheating and those that need browning or oven cooking. | I want to make my usual meals without adding a function I won’t use or missing out on a type of cooking I regularly need. |
| Space and ventilation | Measure the width, height, depth and door clearance. Check the model’s manual for required clearances and permitted installation types: a space that fits the appliance doesn’t necessarily provide enough ventilation. | My worktop space is limited; the appliance needs to fit while still being installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. |
| Cooking results | To compare models, look for tests covering the modes and dishes that matter to you. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol assesses factors including browning, evenness and cooking time in convection mode. | If I plan to bake cakes or cook other oven dishes, I don’t want to assume the results based solely on the words “convection”. |
| Care and condition | Check how easy it is to access the cavity and accessories for cleaning. Follow the manual’s instructions for food deposits, the door and its seals. | I’d prefer an appliance whose cavity I can clean regularly and whose door I can easily check. |
Results vary depending on what you’re cooking. In an archived UFC-Que Choisir test of the LG MJ3965BPS, toast browned evenly under the grill, while small cakes struggled to rise in convection mode. This result doesn’t represent every combination microwave.
If you plan to cook in oven mode regularly, look for tests of the exact model covering the dishes and cooking modes you’re interested in.
A capacity that suits your meals doesn’t tell you whether the appliance will fit in the space available. For this model, the Schneider SCMW20SMB manual requires 30 cm of clearance above the microwave and 20 cm between the oven and each wall.
Measure the external dimensions, door clearance and the spaces specified in the manual for the model you choose. Don’t treat a freestanding appliance as a built-in model unless the manufacturer explicitly says you can.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, a grill is used for tasks such as browning food, while a combination microwave adds oven-style cooking functions. A grill alone won’t meet the same need if you plan to cook oven dishes regularly.
Make a note of the meals you prepare most often, then check that the relevant modes are available on the model you’re considering.
The Schneider manuals consulted recommend regular cleaning. The SCMW20SMB manual states that an appliance with a damaged door or seals must not be used until it has been repaired by a qualified person.
Keep the manual, remove food deposits regularly and have a damaged door or seals repaired before using the appliance again.
These models illustrate different configurations. A feature or result for one model doesn’t automatically apply to other appliances from the same brand.
Whirlpool France’s product page for the MWP201SB gives an example of a 20 L freestanding solo microwave.
LG France describes the 39 L MJ3965BPS as a combination microwave that brings together microwave, grill and oven functions.
Sharp Consumer describes the R-667BK-A as a microwave with a grill.
These options include one model with a grill and two microwaves designed mainly for reheating. If you’re looking to cook regularly in convection mode, check that the model you’re considering has this function rather than assuming it’s included because the appliance has a grill.
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Worth considering if you want to reheat meals and brown dishes from time to time. The product name lists a 20 L capacity and a power rating of 700 W. If you’re planning to install it in a small kitchen, check the external dimensions and all the clearances specified in the manual. If you need convection, check separately that this mode is available.
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Designed for reheating and defrosting, this solo model has a listed capacity of 20 L, six power levels, a 30-minute timer and a defrost function. Before choosing a spot for it, check its dimensions, the ventilation clearances and the electrical connection requirements in the manual. If you want to brown food or cook using convection, choose a model that explicitly lists the mode you need.
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This 20 L option is designed for reheating in a small space. Before deciding where to put it, check the external dimensions and ventilation clearances in the manual. Also check whether it has a defrost function if you need one for your meals, along with the plug type and electrical specifications required for your installation.
It can handle some oven tasks using its grill and convection functions, but it can’t guarantee the same results for every recipe. UFC-Que Choisir assesses cooking modes separately in its tests; its archived test of the LG MJ3965BPS, for example, showed that small cakes struggled to rise. Check the results for the model you’re considering and the dishes you make often.
Follow the clearances specified in the manual for the exact model, rather than applying one distance to every appliance. For example, the Schneider SCMW20SMB manual requires 30 cm of clearance above the microwave and 20 cm between the oven and each wall. These measurements shouldn’t automatically be applied to another model.
No. The Schneider SCMW20SMB manual says not to use the appliance until a qualified person has repaired any damage to the door or seals. Have the appliance checked before using it again.