If you regularly cook using an oven, choose a mini oven with the cooking modes you need. If you mainly reheat food and only want to cook occasionally, look for a combination microwave that explicitly lists fan-assisted cooking, convection or hot air, as well as a grill. In either case, check the appliance dimensions, the size of your dishes and the installation requirements in the manual before choosing where to put it.
If you regularly make gratins, pizzas, tarts or cakes, look for cooking modes suited to these dishes rather than a basic reheating function. Moulinex’s range includes mini ovens with conventional and fan-assisted cooking.
If you mainly use a microwave but also want to grill or cook occasionally in the same appliance, look for the difference between a standard grill model and a combination microwave with convection or hot air. Severin lists these functions separately on some of its combination models.
If the appliance needs to fit on a small worktop or beside an alcove, measure the available width, depth and height. Make sure there’s also room to open the door, and follow the ventilation and installation instructions in the manual for your chosen model.
First decide whether you’ll mainly be cooking in an oven or reheating food in a microwave. Then check that the appliance and your dishes will fit in the available space.
Best if: you often cook tarts, gratins or cakes, and oven functions matter more to you than microwave reheating.
Bear in mind: it doesn’t have a microwave function, and some models can still be deep or tall despite their modest capacity.
Best if: you often reheat or defrost food and also want to cook occasionally, provided the model you choose lists convection or hot air.
Bear in mind: a grill alone doesn’t provide an oven cooking mode, and you’ll still need to check the depth and ventilation requirements.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Space and ventilation | Compare the appliance’s external dimensions and door clearance with the space available. Check the manual for permitted clearances and surfaces. | If your alcove or worktop is narrow, you’ll need to be able to position the appliance without blocking its vents. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this physical fit. |
| Oven-style cooking | Check the functions listed for the exact model: conventional cooking, fan-assisted cooking, convection or hot air, as well as the settings your dishes need. | If you often make tarts, gratins or cakes, a grill alone won’t provide the oven-style cooking you’re looking for. This is a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Reheating and defrosting | Check that it has a microwave function and defrost settings. If you also want to cook, check separately for convection or hot air. | If you mainly need to reheat meals, having a microwave matters more than oven functions. This is the main requirement for around 21% of consumers. |
| Dish sizes | Measure your largest dish and compare it with the internal dimensions, available height and the turntable or tray supplied with the model. | If you need your tin or gratin dish to fit without changing your usual cooking habits, the stated capacity in litres isn’t enough to go on. Around 14% of consumers prioritise usable space. |
The grill can brown food, depending on the programme and accessories, but having one doesn’t confirm that the appliance has convection or hot-air cooking. Severin lists these functions separately on its combination models.
For each model, check separately for microwave, grill and fan-assisted, convection or hot-air cooking before relying on it for oven-style cooking.
The stated capacity doesn’t tell you whether your tin will fit inside the cavity or how much worktop space the appliance will take up.
Measure the space and your largest dish, then compare the external and internal dimensions, as well as the turntable or tray supplied with the model you’re considering.
Ventilation and cooling requirements vary by model. Electrolux notes, for example, that a microwave fan may continue running after use.
Check the manual for the exact model to find out about clearances, vents, the installation surface and electrical supply. Don’t assume that a freestanding appliance is suitable for an enclosed alcove.
Having a programme doesn’t guarantee the same result for every dish: the accessories, settings and food you use also make a difference.
Check which accessories are included, the available modes and any limitations listed for the exact model, taking into account the dishes you prepare.
The range of freestanding mini ovens includes models designed for oven-style cooking. Moulinex lists conventional cooking, fan-assisted cooking and a grill among the functions of the Optimo 19 L, for example.
Panasonic describes the NN-CT57RM as a 27 L combination microwave with microwave, grill, convection and air-frying functions. These features apply to this model, not the entire brand range.
Severin offers both mini ovens and combination microwaves. The brand lists microwave, grill and fan-assisted cooking among the functions of its MW 7752 and MW 7773 models.
Whirlpool France’s range of freestanding microwaves includes models with a grill and combination models.
This freestanding microwave is suited to reheating, with a grill for occasional use. If you also want to cook as you would in an oven, check separately that the model you choose has a convection or hot-air mode.
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Worth considering if you’re mainly looking for a freestanding microwave with a grill for a studio flat. The model name gives a capacity of 25 L and power of 900 W, but these figures alone don’t tell you whether your dishes will fit inside the cavity. If you want oven-style cooking or plan to place it in an alcove, check the functions and installation instructions in the manual for this model.
Not for every use: a grill doesn’t confirm that the appliance has fan-assisted, convection or hot-air cooking. If you want to cook tarts or other oven-style dishes, look for this mode in the details for your chosen model. Severin lists it separately from the grill on its MW 7752 and MW 7773 combination models.
Compare the appliance’s external dimensions and door clearance with the space available, then check the manual for the clearances, vents and installation surfaces required for that model. The stated capacity in litres or a « compact » label isn’t enough to confirm that it can be installed there.
On some models, the fan continues running to cool the appliance after the cycle. Electrolux describes this feature for some of its microwaves. Check your appliance’s manual and keep its vents clear.
Don’t put it in your household rubbish. The French ministry responsible for the environment recommends options including taking it to a collection point or recycling centre, returning it to a retailer or giving it to a social and solidarity economy organisation.