In a small kitchen, choose a solo microwave if you mainly reheat and defrost meals. A grill model is also worth considering if you sometimes want to brown or crisp food. A combination microwave is worth a look if you genuinely plan to use its fan-assisted cooking for some of the dishes you would usually make in an oven. Whichever type you choose, check the space the appliance needs, how its door opens and its ventilation requirements, as well as which containers are suitable for each mode.
If you mainly use a microwave to reheat or defrost food, a freestanding solo model can cover these needs without adding a grill function. UFC-Que Choisir lists student accommodation as one situation to consider. In a kitchenette, measure the available space too, and check that your dishes will fit inside.
A grill microwave lets you reheat food as usual while also giving you the option to brown or crisp it occasionally, as UFC-Que Choisir points out. Make sure you have cookware suitable for the grill: a container that is safe to use in microwave mode may not be suitable for this type of heat.
If some of your dishes need fan-assisted cooking, look at combination models rather than assuming a grill will be enough. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between these cooking modes. Then check the dimensions, accessories and ventilation guidance for the model you are considering.
UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between solo, grill and combination models by their cooking modes. When space is limited, start with the meals you prepare, then compare the type you have in mind with the available space and the containers you use.
Choose one if: reheating and defrosting cover most of your needs.
The trade-off: it does not have a grill for browning or crisping, or fan-assisted cooking.
Choose one if: you would also like to brown or crisp food from time to time.
The trade-off: a grill on its own is no substitute for fan-assisted cooking.
Choose one if: you plan to use fan-assisted cooking regularly for some of your meals.
The trade-off: extra functions are no help if the appliance is too bulky for the space you have in mind.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Overall size and room for dishes | Compare the external dimensions with the available space, then check how the door opens, the size of your dishes and the clearances specified in the manual. | In a kitchenette, I need to be able to open the door and fit my plate inside without blocking the worktop. Around 42% of consumers are said to prioritise the appliance’s size and the space available for dishes. |
| Useful cooking modes | Distinguish between reheating and defrosting, browning or crisping with the grill, and fan-assisted cooking. Check which modes are listed for the model you choose. | Without a practical oven, I want to know whether my meals need just a grill or fan-assisted cooking too. Cooking functions are said to be the top criterion for around 33% of consumers. |
| Containers and usage instructions | Check that the container is suitable for the mode you are using. For microwaveable ready-meal trays, follow the stated power and cooking time. | When reheating leftovers or a ready meal, I want to choose a suitable container without confusing microwave, grill and convection modes. Container compatibility and usage instructions are said to come first for around 25% of consumers. |
Capacity does not tell you whether the microwave will fit on your worktop, whether its door can open freely or whether your dish will fit on the turntable. For example, the product specifications from Panasonic France and Whirlpool France show that external dimensions vary between models.
Measure the available space and your largest dish, then check the manual for your chosen model to find out how much ventilation clearance it needs.
According to the distinctions made by UFC-Que Choisir, a solo model covers reheating and defrosting, while a combination model also offers features such as fan-assisted cooking. This function only helps you choose between appliances if you plan to use it.
Think about the meals you usually prepare: do you mainly reheat food, sometimes brown or crisp it, or regularly cook without another oven?
UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between using plastic in microwave mode and using it with the grill or convection. A container marked as suitable for microwave mode is not necessarily suitable for the others. A sealed container can also build up dangerous pressure.
Follow the instructions for both the container and the appliance for each mode. Anses also recommends following the preparation instructions for food sold in microwaveable packaging.
Electrolux Support France explains that, depending on the model, the cooling fan may continue running after use. This alone is not enough to conclude that there is a fault.
Check the manual if the appliance seems to be behaving unusually. If an error code appears, you notice an unusual smell or the problem persists, contact the after-sales service team or a professional rather than attempting to repair the appliance yourself.
Solo and grill models give you the chance to compare two types of use in a stated 20 L capacity, without assuming that the same features apply across the whole range.
The MS23K3614AW/EF is an example of a freestanding solo model for anyone who prioritises reheating and defrosting.
The MWP303SB is an example of a freestanding grill microwave to consider if you want to brown or crisp food and have measured the space available.
These models cover two needs in a small home: reheating and defrosting with a solo microwave, or adding a grill for occasional browning. Compare their features with the meals you prepare, then check the manual for the model you choose to plan where it will go.
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This solo model is worth considering if your meals mainly need reheating or defrosting, and you do not need a grill. The product title lists 20 L and 700 W; check the space needed for installation and the size of your dishes.
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This digital solo microwave is for anyone who wants to adjust the reheating settings and use a defrost function. The product title lists 700 W, 11 power levels and six preset programmes. Check the manual to find out how much space to leave around the appliance.
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This solo model is suited to reheating and defrosting if you do not need to brown or crisp food. The product title lists 700 W, six power levels and a 30-minute timer; check the dimensions and the clearances specified in the manual.
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This solo model is worth considering if you reheat and defrost food without needing a grill function. The product title mentions quick defrost and an LED display. Check that the appliance and your dishes will fit in the space you have in mind, then consult the manual for ventilation guidance.
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This model adds a grill if you want to brown or crisp some dishes as well as reheat them. The product title lists a capacity of 20 L and 700 W. Before installing it, check all the clearances required in the manual, particularly above the appliance, and use cookware suitable for grill mode.
It depends on the mode you are using. UFC-Que Choisir lists glass, ceramic and undecorated porcelain as suitable for microwave mode, unless the manufacturer says otherwise, and advises against using metal utensils. Do not assume that plastic suitable for microwave mode is also safe to use with the grill or convection. Do not heat a sealed container, and follow the instructions for both the appliance and the container.
Yes. Anses recommends following the preparation instructions for food sold in microwaveable packaging, including the stated power and cooking time. Do not use the tray with another cooking mode unless it is explicitly marked as suitable.
Not necessarily. Electrolux Support France explains that, depending on the model, the fan may continue cooling the appliance after use. Check the manual if the noise is unusual or accompanied by an error code.