If you often cook large dishes, choose a fan oven with a cavity that fits your cookware. If space is limited and you regularly reheat portions, consider a combination microwave with a fan oven. Two separate appliances let you reheat food while another dish is cooking, but take up more space. In every case, check the modes, dimensions and results for the specific model: the word ‘combination’ alone won’t tell you how it will perform with your dishes.
A combination oven can bring cooking, reheating and defrosting together in one space. However, check that the cavity is large enough for your dishes: French catalogues include compact combination ovens around 45 cm high, with cavities of less than 50 L.
If you regularly use large dishes or cook several portions at once, start by measuring your cookware. A fan oven with a suitable capacity, perhaps alongside a separate microwave, avoids choosing a compact cavity just to combine several functions.
A microwave, either on its own or built into a combination oven, can handle these tasks. However, the presence of a programme doesn’t tell you how well it performs: UFC-Que Choisir assesses defrosting and reheating speed separately in its model tests.
First decide what matters most in your kitchen: oven capacity, the space the appliance takes up, or the ability to use two appliances at the same time. Then compare models based on the features and dimensions that will make a difference to your meals.
Worth considering: if large dishes and regular oven cooking are your priorities.
Bear in mind: an oven on its own won’t replace a microwave for the reheating and defrosting tasks you rely on one for.
Worth considering: if you want to combine these tasks in one appliance and its cavity is large enough for your dishes.
Bear in mind: a compact model may limit the size of your cookware and the number of dishes you can cook at once.
Worth considering: if you want to reheat a meal while another dish cooks in the oven.
Bear in mind: you’ll need space for both appliances and have two to maintain.
| Criteria | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Check which modes are available, whether the settings suit the food you prepare and whether there’s room for your containers. If tests are available for the model you’re considering, look at evenness and cooking time separately: UFC-Que Choisir measures these as part of its testing process. | I often reheat a portion or defrost food, and I want to make sure my plates and containers will fit inside. |
| Capacity and cooking | Compare the internal dimensions with your dishes, not just the capacity in litres. If you plan to cook using the oven, make sure it has a fan oven mode: a grill alone won’t do the same job. | My large dishes need to fit in the cavity, so I don’t have to change dishes every time or cook in multiple batches. |
| Space and connection | Check the model’s manual for the required housing dimensions, clearances and ventilation. Also check its power requirements and connection with a professional if the cabinetry or circuit needs altering. | I want to know whether the appliance will fit my kitchen unit and work with the available power supply before I order it. |
| Energy use | Where figures are available, compare energy use for the same type of dish and a similar cooking cycle. The annual figures published by ADEME for an electric oven and a microwave are based on different usage patterns, so they don’t on their own show which option uses less energy for every meal. | I want to understand how much energy the programmes I’ll use consume, rather than choosing based solely on the technology’s name. |
A grill mode and fan oven cooking are designed for different purposes. UFC-Que Choisir assesses them separately in its testing process.
Check each mode in the product details and the manual for the model, rather than assuming it has certain features just because it’s called a ‘combination’ appliance.
A compact combination oven can free up space in your kitchen, but may not fit larger dishes as easily. French retailers offer combination ovens of less than 50 L, while one Joybuy built-in oven model has a capacity of 71 L. These are examples of specific models, not a rule for every appliance in each format.
Measure the dishes you use most often and compare them with the internal dimensions and the accessories supplied.
The cabinet cut-out, clearances and ventilation requirements vary by model. Promotelec also lists ovens among the appliances for which you should check whether a dedicated electrical circuit is required.
Get the installation manual before buying. If any changes are needed, ask a suitably qualified professional to check the kitchen unit and power supply.
Modifying the kitchen unit or arranging electrical work may involve extra costs.
Anses warns that using too high a microwave power setting can increase the migration of substances from certain types of packaging into food.
Follow the packaging instructions on compatibility, power and cooking time. If it isn’t suitable for microwave use, transfer the food to an appropriate container.
These examples show some formats you can compare; the features of one model don’t necessarily apply to the whole brand.
Bosch offers the CMA485GB2, a 44 L microwave and hot-air combination oven, as well as the BFL550MB0, a separate 25 L built-in microwave.
The Samsung NQ5B6753CAK is listed by a French retailer as a built-in combination oven with a 50 L cavity.
These two models show what a combination appliance could offer for everyday meals. Compare the cavity size and confirm the cooking modes in the product details and manual. They’re no substitute for comparing a standard oven or two separate appliances.
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Worth considering if you want to bring several functions together in one appliance with a stated cavity capacity of 39 L. Compare its internal dimensions with your dishes and check the manual for the cooking modes you need and the required clearances.
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Its stated cavity capacity of 42 L is worth comparing with the size of the dishes you usually use. Check exactly which three functions are referred to in the model name, then check the dimensions and clearances needed for its location.
Yes, for dishes that fit in its cavity and for the modes the model actually has, including a fan oven mode if you need one. However, it may not be suitable for larger dishes: the Institut national de la consommation and ADEME compared cooking, reheating and defrosting across four combination ovens and ten fan ovens. The technology’s name alone doesn’t tell you how each model will perform.
First measure your dishes and the space available, then compare them with the internal dimensions and housing requirements listed for each model. French catalogues include compact combination ovens of less than 50 L, while one Joybuy built-in oven model has a stated capacity of 71 L. These are formats to compare with your needs, not capacities shared by every appliance.
No. The space must meet the requirements in the installation manual for your chosen model. Check the cut-out, clearances, ventilation and connection before ordering. If the kitchen unit needs modifying, ask a suitably qualified professional to confirm that the work is appropriate.
Yes, especially if you’re creating or modifying an appliance space. Promotelec says an oven is one of the appliances to check against the requirements for a dedicated circuit. Ask a professional to check the existing circuit, power supply and connection requirements in the model’s manual.
Only if the packaging is suitable for microwave use, and you follow its instructions on power and cooking time. Anses warns that using too high a power setting can increase the migration of substances from certain types of packaging. If microwave compatibility isn’t stated, use an appropriate container.