Everyday reheating when space is limited
You mainly reheat leftovers, ready meals or soup, and defrost portions. A solo model can handle these tasks, provided its dimensions, turntable and required clearances suit your kitchen.
Which type suits each need?
Browning smaller dishes
You already have another way to cook, but would like to grill or brown some dishes. A microwave with a grill adds this option to reheating, without necessarily offering the oven-style cooking functions of a combi.
No oven available
You regularly prepare portions that need more than reheating. A combi is worth considering, provided its cooking modes suit the dishes you make and it can be installed in your home.
What should you prioritise?
Start by thinking about the meals you actually prepare, then compare the type of appliance with the space available and the dishes you use.
| Priority | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting without taking up too much space | Compare the appliance’s external dimensions with the space available, and check that the cavity and turntable are large enough for your biggest dish. Allow for the clearances specified in the manual. | If I mainly need to reheat meals quickly, I want to save space without paying for cooking functions I won’t use. Around 42% of consumers would prioritise this need. |
| Browning food from time to time | Check that a grill is explicitly listed and look at the modes available for the dishes you want to brown. | If I want to brown a dish occasionally while keeping another way to cook, the grill function is my main priority. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise this. |
| Cooking without a separate oven | Check the combi’s exact cooking modes and dimensions. For a built-in model, also check the required housing dimensions and installation instructions. | Without an oven, I need to be able to prepare portions regularly, not just reheat food, even if the appliance takes up more space. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise this use. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Relying on the stated capacity alone
The stated capacity doesn’t tell you whether a large plate or rectangular dish will fit in the cavity and rotate.
Measure your largest dish, then compare it with the internal width, height and depth, as well as the turntable diameter, of the model you’re considering.
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Blocking the vents on a freestanding model
Whirlpool France warns that blocked ventilation openings can cause an appliance to overheat quickly.
Place the appliance on a level surface, keep its vents clear and follow the clearance requirements in its own manual rather than assuming the same distance applies to every model.
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Confusing a grill with a combi
A grill is for browning; a microwave with a grill doesn’t automatically offer the oven-style cooking modes you may be looking for. Que Choisir distinguishes these uses from those of a combi microwave.
Make a note of the dishes you plan to prepare: if you only want to reheat and defrost, look at a solo model; for browning, choose a grill; and if you regularly cook without an oven, check the modes available on a combi.
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Heating packaging without checking its instructions
The DGCCRF advises following the instructions for using food containers. Anses notes that overheating can increase the migration of substances from some types of packaging.
Check that the container is suitable for microwave use and follow the stated time and power settings. Otherwise, transfer the food to a suitable dish.
Brands to consider
Whirlpool
The French range includes solo, grill and combi microwaves, with specifications to suit different cooking needs.
- According to Whirlpool France, the freestanding MWP201W has a 20 L capacity and measures 45,2 × 26,2 × 35 cm; the built-in combi WMD44MWF has a 31 L capacity and measures 59,5 × 38,5 × 46,8 cm.
- These two models have different installation requirements. The MWP201W is no longer listed in the brand’s catalogue, so check for a current model before considering this purchase.
Brandt
The GE2302W is an example of a freestanding microwave with a grill, where the cooking compartment dimensions can help you choose suitable dishes.
- Brandt lists the GE2302W’s cavity dimensions as 221 × 314 × 347 mm and its turntable diameter as 28,8 cm.
- These dimensions apply to the GE2302W only; they don’t indicate the space available in other Brandt models.
Samsung
The freestanding range includes both solo models and models with a grill, so you can choose according to the meals you plan to prepare.
- Samsung France lists the MG23K3515AW as a 23 L model with a grill and external dimensions of 489 × 275 × 392 mm.
- These specifications apply to the MG23K3515AW, not to all Samsung microwaves. Check the functions and dimensions of the specific model you’re interested in.
Microwaves for different needs
These Joybuy models cover reheating and defrosting with solo microwaves, as well as occasional browning with models that have a grill. If you want to cook regularly without an oven, check the specific functions of a combi instead.
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Electrolux EMZ421MMTI, 21 L freestanding microwave, Titanium
Worth considering if you reheat and defrost portions and would also like to brown a dish occasionally using the advertised grill.
Stated capacity: 21 L; power listed in the title: 800 W. Compare the cavity and turntable with your dishes, then check the manual for installation guidance.
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Electrolux EMZ725MMTI Inverter, 25 L microwave with grill, Titanium
This freestanding model is for anyone who wants to reheat and defrost food, with a grill for browning some dishes.
Stated capacity: 25 L; power listed in the title: 900 W. Check the cavity dimensions and the space required around the appliance. If you plan to use it without a separate oven, check its exact cooking modes too.
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Beko MGC20100B1, 20 L microwave with grill, black
For meals you want to reheat or defrost, with the added option of a grill for occasional browning.
Stated capacity: 20 L; power listed in the title: 700 W. Make sure your dishes fit in the cavity, and check the manual for ventilation requirements.
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Samsung MS23K3513, 23 L solo microwave
A solo model to consider if your priorities are reheating and defrosting rather than browning.
Stated capacity: 23 L; power listed in the title: 1 150 W. Check the cavity size, the size of your dishes and the installation clearances required.
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COMFEE CMO‑MP012OC(BK), 19 L Inverter microwave, black
Worth considering for reheating and defrosting portions if you don’t need a grill function.
The title lists 700 W, five power levels, a 30 min timer and a 245 mm turntable. Measure the space you have and your dishes, then check the ventilation instructions for this model.
Frequently asked questions
Will my plate fit if the stated capacity in litres seems large enough?
Not necessarily. Compare your plate with the usable cavity dimensions and turntable diameter. Also check that it can rotate in the model you choose, rather than relying on the stated capacity alone.
Can a microwave with a grill replace an oven?
A grill lets you brown food, but doesn’t guarantee oven-style cooking functions. If you regularly cook without a separate oven, check the exact modes available on a combi and make sure its size and installation requirements suit your home.
Can I install a freestanding microwave in an enclosed cabinet?
Only do so if the instructions for that specific model allow it and you can meet its ventilation requirements. Whirlpool France specifically advises keeping the vents on freestanding appliances clear; built-in models have their own housing requirements, which vary by model.
Can I reheat a meal in its original tray?
Yes, but only if the tray is suitable for microwave use and you follow its power and timing instructions. The DGCCRF recommends following the instructions for food containers. If you’re unsure whether the tray is suitable, transfer the meal to an appropriate dish.