If you mainly reheat and defrost ready meals, a standard microwave may be all you need. If you also want to cook in an oven, check the cooking modes on a combination appliance, or keep a separate oven if you need to use both appliances at the same time. In a small kitchen, the number of appliances isn’t the only thing to consider: measure the space available and check the installation requirements for the model you choose.
If you prepare meals and also want to reheat and defrost food in the same cavity, look at the cooking modes offered by a combination appliance. You’ll also need a compatible housing unit or a suitable space for installation.
If you rarely use an oven, a freestanding microwave may be enough for reheating and defrosting. However, you’ll still need to follow the ventilation guidance in the instruction manual when choosing where to put it.
A dedicated oven and a separate microwave let you use each appliance for its own purpose, provided you have enough space. Before choosing an oven, also check that your electrical installation is suitable.
Consider this if: you want to keep a dedicated oven while being able to reheat food in another appliance.
Bear in mind: two appliances take up more space and need a suitable installation.
Consider this if: oven cooking is still important and you have a compatible housing unit where both functions can be combined in one cavity.
Bear in mind: a single cavity can’t be used as an oven and microwave at the same time, as you would with two separate appliances.
Consider this if: you mainly want to reheat and defrost food, and don’t regularly need to cook in an oven.
Bear in mind: a standard model won’t offer all the functions of an oven; additional features vary by model.
To choose between these options, start with the meals you actually prepare, then match the functions you need to the space and installation available.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking with one appliance | Available cooking modes and a cavity large enough for your dishes. | I want to cook, reheat and defrost without making space for two appliances. Around 42% of consumers would prioritise this versatility. |
| Reheating and defrosting | The functions you need, the external dimensions and the clearances required for installation. | My meals are often ready-made and I rarely use the oven; around 33% of consumers would prioritise straightforward reheating and defrosting. |
| Keeping two separate uses | Space for two appliances and a suitable electrical circuit for the oven. | If one dish needs to cook while I reheat another, I’d rather keep two appliances. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise being able to use them at the same time. |
According to Whirlpool France, a microwave with a grill adds functions such as browning, while the cooking options on a combination model depend on its modes. So the word “grill” alone doesn’t mean an appliance can replace your oven.
Make a note of the dishes you plan to cook and check the modes on the specific model, including fan-assisted or conventional cooking if you need them.
A freestanding appliance may be too deep for your worktop, while a built-in model needs to fit a specific housing unit.
Compare the available width, height and depth with the appliance or housing unit dimensions. Don’t forget to allow for the door to open and the clearances specified in the instruction manual.
Promotelec advises against plugging an oven into an extension lead and says that a dedicated circuit should be provided for the appliance as part of the relevant electrical installation.
Before you buy, have the available power supply checked and follow the connection requirements for your chosen oven rather than planning to use an extension lead or multi-socket adaptor.
The annual averages published by ADEME relate to specific appliance categories and usage assumptions. They don’t show whether a combination appliance will use less energy than a separate oven and microwave for the meals you prepare.
First decide which cooking modes you need, then check the energy information for the exact model, comparing like-for-like usage.
Worth considering for freestanding microwaves, with grill or combination functions depending on the model.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a compact built-in oven with a microwave function and have a suitable housing unit.
Worth considering for a built-in combination microwave oven if your plans include a compatible housing unit.
These models are worth considering if you’re choosing a microwave for reheating and, depending on the features, defrosting or cooking in a small kitchen. If you want to replace an oven, check each appliance’s cooking modes rather than relying on the word “combination” alone.
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Worth a look if you want to combine several uses in one appliance. Its cavity is listed as 39 L; check that it has the modes you need for your recipes, and make sure you have enough space and the required clearances for installation.
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For reheating and defrosting, with a grill function if these modes suit the meals you prepare. It has a stated capacity of 20 L and a listed power rating of 700 W; check the cooking modes if you plan to use it instead of an oven.
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Worth considering if you mainly want to reheat and defrost food. The model has a listed power rating of 700 W, 11 power levels and a defrost function; check the manual for guidance on positioning and ventilation.
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Worth a look if you want a microwave with a grill function. It has a stated capacity of 25 L; check which other modes you need and the installation requirements before relying on it as your only cooking appliance.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for several functions in one appliance and have space for its stated 42 L capacity. Check specifically for a defrost function if you need one, as well as the dimensions and installation clearances.
No. Its basic functions won’t necessarily cover the types of cooking you’d expect from an oven. Whirlpool France describes a standard microwave as suitable for reheating and defrosting; if you want to cook other dishes, check the modes on the model you’re considering.
No. A freestanding model needs a suitable surface and unobstructed vents. Whirlpool France recommends placing it on a flat surface; check your model’s manual for the exact clearances and any other installation requirements.
Yes. The housing unit must match the dimensions specified for the model. For example, Electrolux France specifies a 450 × 560 × 550 mm housing unit for the KVLBE08X; also check its installation instructions.
Check that your installation has a power supply that meets the requirements of your chosen oven. Promotelec says an oven needs a dedicated circuit under the applicable French regulations; an extension lead doesn’t replace checking the circuit and the manual.
You can’t draw that conclusion for every meal by comparing annual averages. The figures published by ADEME depend on appliance categories and usage assumptions; to compare two models, look at the information for the cooking modes you’ll actually use.