For reheating above all
In a studio flat, a room with cooking facilities or temporary accommodation, you mainly want to reheat and defrost without paying for features you’re unlikely to use. A freestanding solo microwave is a good place to start.
Who are these options for?
For browning food in a small home
You reheat meals but also want to brown or grill certain dishes regularly, without installing a separate oven. The grill function is designed for this; check that it suits the recipes you plan to make.
For cooking without a usable oven
You want several cooking modes in one appliance for a home without a practical oven. A combination microwave is worth considering if its size, weight and cooking modes suit the space available.
Which needs should guide your choice?
Start with the meals you’ll actually prepare: reheating, browning or grilling, or cooking dishes as you would in an oven. Then check that the appliance, along with the required clearance around it, will fit in your chosen spot.
| Need | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Check the basic functions and external dimensions of a freestanding solo model. | In a studio flat that’s already equipped for cooking, I mainly want to reheat a meal or defrost a portion without adding another cooking mode; around 50% of consumers put this need first. |
| Browning or grilling | Check that it has a grill mode and find out which accessories are supplied with the model. | If I regularly prepare dishes that need browning or grilling, reheating alone won’t meet my needs; around 30% of consumers put this need first. |
| Cooking without an oven | Check which cooking modes are actually available, then look at the external dimensions and specified clearances. | Without a usable oven, I need to prepare more than just reheated meals while keeping the number of appliances down; around 20% of consumers prioritise this versatility. |
What mistakes should you avoid?
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Judging the space it takes up by its internal capacity
Capacity doesn’t tell you how much worktop space you’ll need. For example, Whirlpool says its MWF255B combination microwave measures 49 × 32,5 × 46,8 cm and weighs 19 kg; its instructions also say not to block the ventilation.
Compare the appliance’s external dimensions with your available space, then check the manual for the clearance required.
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Choosing a combination microwave when you only need to reheat
According to UFC-Que Choisir, combination microwaves cost more than solo models. Their extra modes offer little benefit in a home where you only reheat and defrost.
Make a note of the meals you plan to prepare in a typical week. If you don’t expect to cook dishes as you would in an oven, compare solo models first.
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Confusing a grill with convection cooking
A grill browns or grills food; it doesn’t mean the appliance also has fan-assisted cooking. This distinction matters if you want to replace an oven, at least in part.
Check the modes listed for the specific model and look explicitly for convection or fan-assisted cooking if your recipes require it.
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Using a container without checking it’s suitable
UFC-Que Choisir warns that metal can damage a microwave and that not all plastics are suitable for this purpose.
Follow the appliance manual for any metal accessories, and only use a plastic container if it’s marked as microwave-safe.
Brands to consider, depending on the model
These examples of product ranges and models can help you compare features. The specifications of one appliance don’t apply to every product from the same brand.
Electrolux
Worth considering if you’re looking for a freestanding grill microwave for reheating and browning food.
- Electrolux lists 800 W in microwave mode and 1 000 W for the grill on the EMZ421MMK.
- These figures apply only to the EMZ421MMK; check the dimensions and installation instructions for the model you choose.
Samsung
Worth considering if you want to compare solo, grill and combination ranges according to the features you’ll use.
- Samsung offers separate ranges and says its MC28H5015CK/EF combination model combines microwave, grill and convection functions, with a capacity of 28 L.
- The functions and capacity mentioned apply to the MC28H5015CK/EF, not to every Samsung appliance.
Whirlpool
Worth considering if you want a freestanding combination microwave that brings several functions together in one appliance.
- Whirlpool describes the MWF255B as a 25 L combination microwave with no turntable and a grill among its features.
- According to Whirlpool, this model measures 49 × 32,5 × 46,8 cm and weighs 19 kg. Check that it fits on your worktop and keep its vents clear as instructed in the manual.
Microwaves available on Joybuy
This selection includes solo models for reheating and defrosting, grill models for browning food, and a combination model to consider if you want several cooking modes. For each one, compare the listed features with the meals you prepare and check the installation requirements in the manual.
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Beko MGC20100B1, 20 L black grill microwave
Worth considering if you want to reheat meals and have a grill function for browning food too.
The product title lists a capacity of 20 L and a microwave power of 700 W. Check the manual for the space needed for ventilation and the modes available for your recipes.
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Whirlpool MWP 101 W, 20 L microwave
Worth considering if your main use is reheating and defrosting, with no need for additional cooking functions.
The product title lists a capacity of 20 L and a power of 700 W. Before buying, check the external dimensions and the clearances required in the manual.
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Electrolux EMZ421MMTI, 21 L freestanding titanium microwave
Worth comparing if you want to reheat and brown food in the same appliance while keeping a freestanding set-up.
The product title lists a capacity of 21 L and a power of 800 W. Check the cooking modes, external dimensions and clearance requirements in the documentation for this specific model.
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Samsung MS23K3513, 23 L solo microwave
Worth considering for reheating and defrosting if you don’t need a grill.
The product title lists a capacity of 23 L and a Quick Defrost function. Check the manual for the required clearances before deciding where to put it.
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SHARP YC-MC422AE-SB, 42 L 3-in-1 combination microwave
Worth considering if your home doesn’t have a usable oven and you’ll genuinely use several cooking modes.
The product title lists a capacity of 42 L and a 3-in-1 combination appliance. Measure the space and check the manual for the modes, ventilation clearances and electrical installation requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Which microwave should I choose if I mainly want to reheat meals in a studio flat?
A solo microwave is enough if reheating and defrosting are your main uses. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes grill models, which can also brown food: only choose this function if you expect to use it regularly.
Can I put a freestanding microwave in a nook?
Not without checking the space and ventilation requirements for your chosen model. Whirlpool recommends a flat surface and unobstructed vents. Its general advice also gives a room temperature range of 5 to 35 °C; check your appliance manual for the conditions you need to follow.
Which containers should I use to reheat a meal?
Choose containers labelled as microwave-safe and follow the appliance manual. UFC-Que Choisir warns that metal can damage the appliance and that not all plastics are suitable for reheating.
What statutory guarantee applies to a microwave bought from a trader in France?
According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader to a private individual. It covers, among other things, an appliance that doesn’t match the description given at the time of sale. It is separate from a retailer’s returns policy for change of mind.