Student or studio flat renter
When worktop space is limited and you cook in small portions, think about whether you simply need to reheat food, fancy the occasional gratin or want to do proper oven cooking before choosing a more versatile appliance.
Who is this choice for?
Owner of a holiday home
If you cook in the oven during your stays, a combination microwave could save you from having to install two appliances. If you mainly reheat meals and only brown or crisp food occasionally, standard and grill models are also worth considering.
Small household looking to combine functions
A combination microwave brings several cooking modes together, but its external dimensions, door opening and the size of the dishes it can hold are still key considerations in a small kitchen.
What should you look for?
Start with the dishes you make most often, then check that the modes you need will fit into the space you actually have available.
| Priority | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking modes | Check which modes the model offers: microwave, grill and fan-assisted cooking. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between browning or crisping under the grill and cooking with fan-assisted heat. | I mainly reheat meals: a standard model may be enough. If I want to brown or crisp food occasionally, I’ll look at grill models. If I cook in the oven regularly, I’ll consider combination models and whether I should keep a separate oven. |
| Space | Compare the appliance’s external width, height and depth with the space you have available. Allow room to open the door and for the clearances specified in the manual. Whirlpool France reminds users not to block the ventilation grilles. | My worktop is narrow: I need to be able to position the appliance, open its door and keep its vents clear—not just fit the cooking cavity into the available space. |
| Dishes and accessories | Check the usable dimensions of the cavity, whether there’s a turntable and which accessories are included. The capacity in litres alone won’t tell you what shape or size of dish will fit. | I want to use my usual plates and dishes: their size matters just as much as the stated capacity, especially if I’m considering oven cooking. |
| Everyday use | Look at the modes that suit your recipes, the controls, how easy it is to access food and how simple it is to clean. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol assesses reheating, defrosting, grilling, combination cooking and ease of use separately. | I’d rather have functions I’ll genuinely use than a long list of modes whose purpose and limitations I don’t know. |
Mistakes to avoid
-
Choosing a combination model based on the number of functions listed
The presence of a particular mode doesn’t tell you on its own how well the appliance will handle your dishes. UFC-Que Choisir assesses different types of cooking and ease of use separately.
Make a note of the dishes you cook most often. If you rarely cook in the oven, compare standard and grill models first. Otherwise, check the modes and cavity, and look for test results relevant to your recipes.
-
Relying on the capacity in litres alone
The cavity capacity tells you neither the appliance’s external dimensions nor how much space you’ll need to open the door and allow for ventilation.
Measure the space in all three dimensions and check the clearances required in the model’s manual. Keep the ventilation openings clear, as instructed by Whirlpool France.
-
Confusing a grill with fan-assisted cooking
A grill is for browning and crisping; it doesn’t provide fan-assisted cooking on its own, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
If you only want to make the occasional gratin, consider a microwave with a grill. If you also plan to bake cakes or cook other dishes in the oven, check specifically for a fan-assisted cooking mode and make sure there’s enough room for your dishes.
-
Forgetting what to do with your old appliance
In France, electrical and electronic equipment is covered by a dedicated collection scheme, according to the ministry responsible for the ecological transition.
Plan to take your old appliance to a collection point or household waste recycling centre, return it to a retailer or give it to a social and solidarity economy organisation.
A guide to the brands
Whirlpool
Whirlpool France offers freestanding microwaves, including combination models. The MCP349WH is a useful example of the dimensions you’ll need to compare with your available space.
- For the MCP349WH, Whirlpool France lists a 25 L cavity and unpackaged dimensions of 52 × 30,1 × 49,4 cm.
- These measurements apply to this model only. Check its ventilation requirements in the manual before deciding where to put it.
Samsung
Samsung France describes the MC32DG7646KKE1 as a 32 L combination microwave with several cooking modes.
- The brand lists microwave, grill and oven cooking modes for this model.
- This list of modes won’t tell you how the appliance will perform with your recipes or whether it will fit in your chosen space.
LG
LG France offers a range of combination microwaves that bring together microwave, grill and fan-assisted cooking functions.
- For its 32 L Solar Series MJ-9250NB, LG lists a 34 cm turntable—a useful measurement to compare with your dishes.
- Check the external dimensions and modes of the model you’re considering. One appliance’s specifications won’t necessarily apply to the whole range.
Microwave grills on Joybuy
These models are for anyone choosing a microwave to reheat and defrost food, with the option of browning or crisping dishes occasionally in a small home. If you plan to cook in the oven regularly, check separately for a fan-assisted cooking function.
Image unavailable
Electrolux EMZ421MMTI, freestanding microwave 21 L, 800 W, Titanium
Worth considering if you reheat and defrost meals, and occasionally want to brown or crisp food. Check that the modes and accessories suit the dishes you make, then allow enough space to open the door and follow the ventilation instructions in the manual.
Image unavailable
Electrolux EMZ725MMTI Inverter, microwave grill 25 L, 900 W, Titanium
The grill is useful if you want to brown or crisp food occasionally as well as reheat meals. If you plan to use your usual dishes, check the turntable size and usable space. Measure the area with the door open, too, and follow the model’s ventilation instructions.
Image unavailable
Beko MGC20100B1, microwave with grill 20 L, 700 W, black
If you want to reheat and defrost food, with the option of browning or crisping dishes occasionally, check that you have enough space to open the side-hinged door. Also check the ventilation clearances in the manual and make sure your dishes will fit.
Frequently asked questions
Can a combination microwave replace an oven in a studio flat?
It can handle some oven cooking if the model combines a grill and fan-assisted cooking with microwave functions: UFC-Que Choisir describes these as basic features of combination models. To decide whether it can replace your oven, check the size of your dishes, the accessories and modes included, and how often you cook in the oven.
What should you measure before putting a microwave on a small worktop?
Measure the available width, height and depth, then allow room to open the door and for the clearances specified in the model’s manual. The cavity capacity in litres doesn’t replace these measurements. Whirlpool France also advises against blocking the ventilation.
Is a microwave with a grill enough to make gratins?
A grill can brown or crisp food, as UFC-Que Choisir explains. If you also want to cook in the oven regularly, look specifically for a fan-assisted cooking mode rather than relying on the grill alone.
What should you do with an old microwave in France?
You can take it to a collection point or household waste recycling centre, return it to a retailer or give it to a social and solidarity economy organisation, according to the ministry responsible for the ecological transition. Remember to plan for this when arranging to replace the appliance.