A student who mainly reheats portions
You’re looking for a freestanding appliance for leftovers and ready meals, while keeping your kitchen free for other things. If defrosting matters to you, check that the model you choose includes this function.
Which type is right for you?
Someone with a small kitchen who wants to brown dishes
You reheat meals most of the time but would sometimes like to brown an individual dish. A microwave with a grill can do this, but it won’t necessarily offer fan cooking.
Someone without a usable oven
You also prepare dishes that need cooking and are considering a combination microwave with an oven function. You’ll need to allow more space for the appliance and check which cooking modes are available on the model you’re considering.
What sets the different models apart?
Solo microwave
Choose this if: you mainly need to reheat and defrost food.
The trade-off: it won’t brown food like a grill or cook with fan heat like a combination microwave.
Microwave with grill
Choose this if: you reheat food often and want to brown or crisp dishes occasionally.
The trade-off: having a grill doesn’t mean the appliance can cook like a fan oven.
Combination microwave
Choose this if: you don’t have a usable oven and genuinely plan to cook meals as well as reheat them.
The trade-off: its extra functions don’t mean you can skip measuring its depth and the ventilation space it needs.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Space and installation | Measure the appliance, allow for the door to open and check the clearances required in its manual. | When every centimetre counts on my worktop, I want to install and open the appliance without getting in the way of the rest of the kitchen; around 42% of consumers would put this constraint first. |
| Occasional browning | Check that the specific model has a grill and the cooking modes you need. | If I mainly reheat meals but sometimes want to brown a dish, a grill becomes my deciding factor; this would be the case for around 25% of consumers. |
| Cooking without a separate oven | Check for fan-assisted or convection cooking and make sure there’s room for the dishes you usually use. | Without a usable oven, I also need to be able to cook meals rather than just reheat them; almost 33% of consumers would make this their priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based only on capacity in litres
The internal capacity doesn’t tell you whether the appliance will fit on your worktop, whether the door will open easily or whether air can circulate around it.
Measure the space and check the clearances specified in the model’s manual before you order.
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Expecting a grill to replace an oven
A grill can brown or crisp food, but having one doesn’t guarantee that the appliance can cook with fan heat.
Think about the meals you actually make: if you want to bake tarts or cook other oven dishes, check the cooking modes on the combination microwave you’re considering.
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Using the same container in every mode
According to UFC-Que Choisir, metal containers and utensils aren’t suitable for microwave mode and can damage the appliance. Some plastic containers aren’t suitable either.
Choose containers that are compatible with the mode you’re using, and follow the manual’s instructions for any rack or accessory supplied with a grill or combination model.
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Confusing a paid-for extended warranty with your statutory guarantee
In France, the statutory guarantee of conformity described by the Ministry of the Economy is compulsory and separate from an optional commercial warranty.
Before taking out an extended warranty, check exactly what it covers, what’s excluded and how repairs are handled.
Brands and models to know
Electrolux
The EMZ421MMK is an example of a freestanding model that combines microwave and grill functions.
- According to Electrolux France, this model offers microwave, grill and combined microwave-and-grill modes.
- Its specification lists dimensions of 262 × 442 × 345 mm. Check that you have enough room to install it; its features don’t represent the entire Electrolux range.
Whirlpool
The freestanding range includes models with a grill and combination microwaves; the MCP349WH is one example of a combination model.
- Whirlpool France says the MCP349WH combines microwave, grill and fan cooking in a 25 L cavity.
- Its stated dimensions of 52 × 30,1 × 49,4 cm mean you’ll need to check the space available, particularly the depth.
Samsung
The freestanding range includes solo and combination models; the MC28M6035CK is a 28 L combination microwave.
- Samsung France says the turntable in the MC28M6035CK can be switched off to make room for some large square dishes.
- This feature is specific to this model: check the dimensions of your dishes and the manual for the model you plan to buy.
Microwaves available on Joybuy
These freestanding models suit two of the needs covered here: reheating with a solo microwave, or having a grill as well to brown dishes occasionally. Check the installation requirements for the model you’re interested in.
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Beko MGC20100B1, 20 L microwave with grill, black
Worth considering if you reheat meals and would sometimes like to brown or crisp them.
The stated capacity is 20 L and the microwave power is 700 W. Check the manual to confirm the clearance needed for your chosen spot.
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Electrolux EMZ725MMTI Inverter, 25 L microwave with grill, titanium
Consider this if you want to reheat and brown or crisp food, and have a suitable space for it.
The product name lists a capacity of 25 L and microwave power of 900 W. Before buying, check the required ventilation clearances and the electrical rating on the label of the unit being offered.
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Whirlpool MWP 101 W, 20 L solo microwave
An option to consider if you mainly reheat portions and don’t need a grill.
The product name lists a capacity of 20 L and power of 700 W. If you plan to defrost food regularly, check the model’s functions before choosing it; also follow the installation clearances specified.
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Heinrich's, 20 L solo microwave, 700 W
Worth considering for reheating and defrosting simple meals if you don’t need a grill function.
The product name lists six power levels, a defrost function and a 30-minute timer. Check the required clearances in the manual, then check the electrical specifications on the label of the unit being offered.
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LG MH6535GIS, 25 L microwave, black
Worth considering if you’d also like to brown dishes occasionally, once you’ve confirmed the cooking modes available on the model being offered.
The stated capacity is 25 L. Check the grill power on the listing for the unit being offered, along with the clearances and electrical specifications, before installation.
Frequently asked questions
Can I install a freestanding microwave on a shelf?
Only if the space suits the installation type and meets the clearances specified in the model’s manual. For example, the manual for one Schneider appliance specifies 30 cm above and 20 cm between the microwave and each wall; these clearances aren’t a universal rule for every model.
Is the capacity in litres enough to tell me whether my dishes will fit?
No: you should also compare the dimensions of your dishes with those of the cavity and turntable. Whirlpool France lists a 280 mm turntable for the MCP349WH, while Samsung France says the turntable in the MC28M6035CK can be switched off for some large square dishes. Check whether this feature is available on the model you’re considering.
Can I use a metal container in a microwave?
Not in microwave mode: UFC-Que Choisir says metal containers and utensils can damage the appliance. If your grill or combination model comes with a rack, follow the manual to check which modes it can be used in.
Does a paid-for commercial warranty replace the statutory guarantee in France?
No. According to the Ministry of the Economy, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a business to an individual, whether they’re new, second-hand or refurbished; an optional commercial warranty is separate. Check what it covers before taking one out.