A solo microwave is all you need to reheat and defrost small portions, as long as you don’t need any other cooking modes. Choose a grill model for the occasional browned topping, or consider a combination microwave if you also want it to handle some of the cooking you’d usually do in an oven. In a small home, compare the space needed for installation with the size of your dishes before opting for extra features.
Whether you live in a studio flat or use a holiday home, your choice mainly depends on what you want to do besides reheating: defrost food, brown the top of a dish or handle some of the cooking you’d usually leave to an oven.
If you mainly need to reheat and defrost meals, start by looking at solo models. A freestanding appliance could be a good fit if you need to move it, provided you leave the ventilation space specified in the manual.
If you often reheat food but would also like to brown an individual dish now and then, consider a grill model. It offers something beyond simply reheating, without necessarily including fan-assisted cooking.
If you need one appliance to handle some of your oven cooking, look at combination models with the relevant modes. Make sure their capacity is worth the space they’ll take up in your kitchen.
UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between a grill, which is designed in particular for browning food, and a combination microwave, which can handle some tasks you’d normally use a conventional oven for. To compare these appliances for a small home, start with the cooking mode you actually need, then check the space available and the size of your dishes.
| Your needs | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | External dimensions, turntable diameter and the defrost programme on the model you’re considering. | If I mainly prepare individual portions, I want to reheat or defrost them without choosing cooking modes I’m unlikely to use. Around 40% of consumers would put this basic need first. |
| Occasional browning | Whether it has a grill, the modes it offers and the accessories supplied; turntable size for your dishes. | If I want to brown an individual dish as well as reheat it, reheating alone won’t meet my needs. Around 30% of consumers would prioritise browning. |
| Handling some oven cooking | Whether it actually has convection or fan-assisted cooking, the appliance’s dimensions and the clearances specified in its manual. | Without a conventional oven, I need to check that a combination microwave can handle the dishes I plan to cook without taking up too much space. Around 30% of consumers would prioritise its ability to replace some oven functions. |
The stated capacity alone won’t tell you whether your plates will fit inside. For everyday use, the space it takes up on the worktop and the turntable diameter matter too.
Measure the space where you plan to put it and the dishes you use most often, then compare them with the appliance, cavity and turntable dimensions.
Even an appliance that’s easy to move needs the ventilation specified in its manual. Whirlpool advises against blocking the air vents or placing objects on top.
Before deciding where to put it, check the clearances required for that specific model and the connection requirements in its manual.
A grill is useful for browning food, but having one doesn’t mean the appliance also offers the fan-assisted cooking needed for other oven-style dishes.
If you’re planning to go without a conventional oven for some recipes, check the cooking modes and accessories available with the model you choose.
In France, the Ministry of the Economy states that the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a consumer. A commercial warranty is separate.
If you’re offered additional cover, compare its terms and check what it adds to the statutory guarantee.
These examples of ranges and models can help you identify the features to compare. A particular model’s specifications won’t necessarily apply to every appliance from the same brand.
Whirlpool’s freestanding range includes grill and combination microwaves, worth considering if you’re not planning a built-in installation.
The freestanding EMZ421MMK is an example of a microwave with a grill.
Samsung France’s guide distinguishes between solo, grill and combination microwaves, helping you start by identifying the features you need.
The NN-CD87KS is an example of a combination microwave to consider if cooking beyond reheating matters more to you than finding a compact appliance.
These models cover reheating and defrosting with solo microwaves, browning with grill models and, with a combination appliance, a wider range of cooking needs. Compare their features with the way you plan to use them, then check whether they’ll fit in your home.
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Worth considering if you mainly reheat and defrost small portions. The product title lists 700 W microwave power, six pre-set menus and 11 power levels. Check the turntable diameter against your plates, as well as the clearances specified in the manual.
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For reheating, defrosting and occasional browning, without assuming it offers convection cooking. The product title lists 1000 W and a white finish. Before setting aside a space for it, check its dimensions and the ventilation requirements in the manual.
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For anyone who wants to add browning to reheating small portions, without mistaking a grill for a fan oven. The product title lists 700 W and a black finish. Check the size of your dishes and the ventilation clearances, including above the appliance.
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Worth considering if you need an appliance for reheating and defrosting without a grill. The product title mentions quick defrost and 1150 W, but doesn’t specify what that power figure refers to. Don’t assume it’s the microwave cooking power. Check the ventilation space needed before installing it.
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Worth considering if you want several cooking modes in one appliance and have enough space for it. With a stated capacity of 42 L, it’s particularly important to measure the space in a small kitchen. Check the manual for the modes your recipes need, whether it can defrost if that matters to you, the required clearances and the connection requirements.
A solo model will do the job if you also need to defrost food but don’t need to brown dishes or cook with convection. Check that your dishes fit inside the cavity and that the appliance can be installed where you plan to put it.
A grill alone won’t replace cooking that requires fan-assisted heat. If you want one appliance to handle some of these tasks, look specifically for the convection modes on a combination model and check that they suit the dishes you prepare.
No. It needs to be placed somewhere that allows the ventilation specified for that model and meets its connection requirements. Whirlpool advises against blocking the vents or placing objects on the appliance. Check the manual before installing it in a tight space.
On some Electrolux models, the cooling fan may continue running after cooking to cool the electrical components. Check your appliance’s manual to find out how it works; don’t assume it’s faulty just because you can hear it.
In France, the statutory guarantee of conformity also applies to refurbished goods sold by a business to a consumer, according to the Ministry of the Economy. It’s separate from any commercial warranty the seller may offer.