For reheating and defrosting
If you already have another way to cook or brown your meals, a solo microwave will handle those everyday tasks. Focus on its footprint and the space available for your dishes.
Who is each option for?
For occasional browning
In a small kitchen, a grill model lets you brown food as well as reheat it. It’s a good choice if you’re not relying on it for fan-assisted cooking.
For a kitchen without a full-size oven
If you’d also like to cook some dishes in the style of an oven, consider the functions offered by a combination model. Check which modes it actually has, which accessories you’ll need and how much space the appliance will take up.
How do the models compare?
UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between solo, grill and combination models according to their cooking functions. Start with the meals you want to prepare, then check the dimensions and installation guidance against the space in your kitchen.
Solo microwave
Choose this if: you mainly reheat and defrost, and have another way to brown food or cook it in the oven.
Limitation: it won’t replace oven-style cooking.
Grill microwave
Choose this if: you’d also like to brown or grill food from time to time.
Limitation: a grill on its own doesn’t provide fan-assisted cooking.
Combination microwave
Choose this if: you want the appliance to handle some oven-style cooking as well as reheating.
Limitation: functions and accessories vary by model, and you’ll need to make sure it fits in the space available.
| Your needs | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting when space is limited | External dimensions, cavity size and turntable size compared with the space available and the dishes you usually use. | If I mainly prepare quick meals, I want to be able to fit the appliance on the worktop and put my plate inside easily; around 42% of consumers would prioritise reheating and defrosting when space is limited. |
| Browning food without adding an oven | Whether it has a grill and which accessories are suitable for this mode. | For the occasional grilled or browned dish, I want that finish without relying on it for full oven cooking; around 25% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Handling some oven-style cooking | Whether it has convection or fan-assisted cooking, and the modes and accessories available for the specific model. | Without a full-size oven, I need to cook more than just dishes for reheating; around 33% of consumers would prioritise the option of partly replacing an oven. |
Which mistakes should you avoid?
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Going by capacity alone
The stated capacity won’t tell you whether the appliance will fit on your worktop or whether your dish will fit inside the cavity. External and internal dimensions vary from one model to another.
Measure the space and a dish you use regularly, then compare them with the dimensions, turntable and installation guidance for the model you’re considering.
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Confusing a grill with fan-assisted cooking
According to UFC-Que Choisir, a grill is for browning food, while fan-assisted cooking is a feature to look for in a combination model.
If you plan to cook oven-style dishes regularly, check that the model has convection and find out which accessories are compatible.
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Blocking the ventilation openings
Whirlpool France says that blocked ventilation can cause a freestanding microwave to overheat quickly.
Place the appliance on a flat surface, keep its vents clear and follow the clearance instructions in the manual.
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Heating packaging without checking its instructions
Anses warns that heating food at too high a power setting increases the risk of substances from packaging migrating into food.
Follow the instructions for heating time and power. For films and bags, DGCCRF recommends not using them in the microwave unless they’re explicitly labelled as suitable for this purpose.
Brands to consider
Bosch
The FEL023MS2 is an example of the brand’s freestanding grill models.
- Bosch says this model has a 20 L cavity and measures 260 × 442 × 345 mm.
- Check that the cavity is suitable for your dishes; these specifications don’t apply to every Bosch model.
LG
The NeoChef range includes both a solo model and a grill model, so you can compare their dimensions.
- According to LG France, the solo MS2535GIB has a 322 × 228 × 335 mm cavity; the MH6336GIB is a grill model.
- For installation, also check the ventilation instructions for each model.
Samsung
The MC32DB7746KCE1 is an example of a combination microwave designed for different types of cooking.
- Samsung France lists oven, grill, steam, air fry and microwave modes for this model.
- Before choosing it, check that the listed modes and accessories suit your meals and the space available.
Whirlpool
The brand offers freestanding grill and combination microwaves.
- Whirlpool France distinguishes between browning with a grill and the cooking options offered by a convection combination model.
- For a freestanding appliance, keep the ventilation openings clear and follow the clearance guidance in the manual.
Microwaves to compare on Joybuy
These solo and grill models are suited to reheating and defrosting, with occasional browning for models with a grill. They’re worth considering for a small kitchen. If you want to cook with fan assistance, check that the model you’re considering has this function.
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Beko MGC20100B1, 20 L grill microwave
Worth considering if you want to reheat, defrost and brown food occasionally. The model name indicates a capacity of 20 L and a power rating of 700 W; also compare the usable space and installation guidance with the space you have available.
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LG MH6535GIS, 25 L grill microwave
Consider this if you want to add occasional browning to your everyday reheating. The product name indicates 25 L and 1000 W; check the cavity dimensions and required clearances before deciding where to put it.
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Samsung MS23K3513, 23 L solo microwave
If you mainly reheat or defrost meals, compare this solo model with grill options to see what suits your needs. Its name indicates 23 L, 1150 W and a quick defrost function; measure the space available and check the size of your dishes before choosing.
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Electrolux EMZ725MMTI, 25 L grill microwave
This model is worth comparing if you want everyday reheating and occasional browning. Its name indicates 25 L, 900 W and a freestanding design; check the cavity size if you regularly use large dishes.
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COMFEE CM-E202CC(BK), 20 L microwave
If you want to reheat and defrost without needing a grill, this solo model offers, according to its name, 20 L, 700 W and six pre-programmed menus. Check that the turntable, cavity and ventilation requirements suit your installation.
Frequently asked questions
What should I measure before putting a microwave on a small worktop?
Measure the available width, height and depth, then compare them with the model’s external dimensions. Check that the cavity and turntable will suit your dishes, and make sure you can meet the ventilation clearances specified in the manual for that model.
Can a combination microwave replace an oven?
It can take on some oven tasks if its functions and capacity suit the dishes you want to cook. UFC-Que Choisir makes a distinction between fan-assisted cooking and simply browning food with a grill; check the modes and accessories of the specific combination model before relying on it instead of an oven.
Can I reheat food in its packaging?
Only use packaging in the microwave if its instructions say it’s suitable, and follow the recommended power and heating time. For films and bags, DGCCRF recommends not using them unless they’re explicitly labelled as suitable; Anses warns that heating at too high a power setting increases the risk of substances migrating from packaging.
Why should I keep the vents on a freestanding microwave clear?
Blocked vents can cause the appliance to overheat quickly, according to Whirlpool France. Place it on a flat surface, keep objects and fabrics away from the openings, and follow the clearance guidance in the manual.