People who mainly reheat meals
If you mostly eat leftovers, ready meals, soup or frozen portions, reheating and defrosting matter more than oven functions.
Who are these appliances for?
People without an oven who cook regularly
For making bakes, quiches, pizzas or roasted vegetables, look for cooking modes suited to these recipes and check that your dishes will fit inside the appliance.
Small households who prefer crispy portions
If you cook small quantities and are short on space, basket capacity, cleaning, noise and the appliance’s footprint may matter just as much as its cooking modes.
Which features should you prioritise?
If your home doesn’t have a traditional oven, start with the meals you make most often, then check the size of your dishes and the space available. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the difference between a microwave’s reheating functions and the grill and fan-assisted cooking functions of a combination model.
| What you need | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Defrost setting and internal dimensions that suit the containers you use. | For leftovers, ready meals or frozen portions, I mainly want to make everyday meals easier; around 30% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Making oven recipes | Whether it has fan-assisted or convection cooking, which modes are available and what size dishes it can accommodate. | Without a traditional oven, I want to be able to make a quiche or bake regularly; around 30% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Cooking small, crispy portions | The basket’s size and capacity, and how much space to leave around the appliance. | When I make small roasted or grilled portions, texture matters more to me than reheating; around 20% of consumers would prioritise this use. |
| Managing portions and cleaning | Usable dimensions, how many portions you can make and how easy removable parts are to clean. | I’d rather avoid cooking several batches without taking up permanent space in my kitchenette; practical capacity and easy cleaning would come first for around 20% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid before you buy
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Choosing an air fryer when you mainly reheat leftovers
An air fryer is for cooking, roasting or grilling, while a microwave is better suited to reheating and defrosting everyday meals.
Before choosing between the two, make a note of the meals you prepare most often.
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Trusting the litre capacity without measuring your dishes
The stated capacity alone won’t tell you whether your plate, quiche or several portions will fit inside the cavity or basket.
Compare your containers with the turntable, internal dimensions or basket size of the model you’re considering.
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Using the same containers for every cooking mode
Metal utensils aren’t suitable for microwave mode. Anses also notes that overheating food can increase the migration of substances from some food packaging.
Check the instructions for each mode and follow the time and power guidance on packaging intended for reheating.
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Forgetting about ventilation and cleaning
If the space is too cramped, you may not be able to leave the required clearances. For example, a user manual for an air fryer published by BUT says not to block the air inlets or outlets during operation.
Check the clearance requirements in the manual for your chosen model, and see which parts can be removed for cleaning.
Brands to consider for different uses
Whirlpool
Whirlpool France offers a range of freestanding microwaves, including solo, grill and combination models.
- For the MCP349WH, Whirlpool lists a 25 L cavity, a grill and a fan-assisted cooking mode.
- These features apply to this specific model, so compare the dimensions, accessories and modes of the model you choose.
Panasonic
Panasonic offers combination microwaves that bring several cooking modes together in one appliance.
- According to Panasonic, the NN-CD88 combines microwave, grill, convection and air fryer functions, with a capacity of 34 L.
- A multi-function appliance still needs to fit in the space you have, so check its dimensions and the modes available on the model for sale.
Moulinex
Moulinex offers two distinct formats to compare: a basket-style air fryer and a freestanding mini oven.
- Moulinex lists a 3.5 L capacity and a dishwasher-safe basket for the Easy Fry Essential EZ130810. The brand also offers a 33 L Optimo mini oven.
- An air fryer basket and a mini oven cavity won’t necessarily fit the same dishes, so check the usable dimensions against the recipes you make.
Appliances for different needs
These Joybuy products suit different ways of cooking without a traditional oven: using an air fryer for small portions, reheating in a microwave, browning food occasionally or choosing a combination microwave. Start by deciding what you need the appliance for, then check its dimensions and manual.
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NINJA FN101EUGY Crispi Air Fryer
Worth considering if you want to cook small portions rather than mainly reheat meals in a microwave.
Measure the space you have in mind and check the manual for the ventilation clearances required.
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COMFEE CM-E202CC(BK), 20 L microwave
Consider this if reheating and defrosting are more important to you than recipes that need a grill or oven.
The model name specifies 700 W, 11 power levels and six pre-set programmes. Check that your plates will fit in the cavity.
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Beko MGC20100B1, 20 L grill microwave
This option combines microwave cooking with a grill for occasional browning, but shouldn’t be assumed to offer the same functions as a fan oven.
The model name specifies 700 W. Check the manual to see which containers and accessories are allowed for each mode.
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Samsung MS23K3513, 23 L microwave
Worth a look if you mainly want to reheat or defrost meals rather than make recipes using a grill or fan-assisted cooking.
Compare the size of your containers with the usable dimensions and follow the ventilation guidance in the manual.
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SHARP YC-MC422AE-SB, 42 L combination microwave
Consider this if you’re looking for a combination appliance to reheat meals and make some oven recipes.
Its stated capacity of 42 L doesn’t tell you whether it will suit a small kitchenette. Measure the space, your dishes and the clearances specified in the manual.
Frequently asked questions
Can an air fryer replace a microwave in a kitchenette?
Not if you mainly want to reheat leftovers quickly or defrost meals. An air fryer is better suited to cooking, roasting or grilling, so choose according to what you do most often.
Can a combination microwave work as an oven?
It can handle some oven-style cooking if the model has a convection or fan-assisted setting and your dishes fit inside. UFC-Que Choisir describes these functions on combination microwaves; check the modes, temperatures and accessories for the model you choose.
What size air fryer do you need for one or two people?
UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L as a guide for a basic basket-style model for everyday portions for one or two people. Check the shape of the basket and the size of the food you plan to cook, too: capacity alone doesn’t guarantee everything will fit in one batch.
Can you use any container in a microwave?
No. Metal utensils aren’t suitable for microwave mode, and the accessories allowed may depend on the mode used on a combination appliance. Follow the manual. For food packaging intended for reheating, also stick to the stated heating time and power. Anses notes that overheating can increase the migration of substances from the packaging into the food.
How should you position an air fryer in a small kitchen?
Choose a stable spot that leaves the clearances specified in your model’s manual. For example, a user manual for an air fryer published by BUT says not to cover the air inlets or outlets during operation.