For everyday reheating
If you mainly reheat portions and defrost food, a solo microwave covers your main needs without making you pay for extra cooking functions.
Which option suits your needs?
UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between reheating and defrosting, and the need to brown food or cook more elaborate dishes. Whether you’re in a student kitchenette or a holiday home, how often you’ll use each function will help you decide.
For the occasional golden finish
If you’d sometimes like to brown a pizza or gratin as well as reheat food, look at models with a grill. Also check which containers and accessories are suitable for this mode.
For cooking without a practical oven
If you’re planning recipes that need convection, a combination microwave is worth considering. Its dimensions and installation requirements matter just as much as its programmes.
What should you check?
Solo microwave
Consider this if: reheating and defrosting account for most of your meals.
Limitation: it has neither a grill for browning food nor convection for recipes that require it.
Grill microwave
Consider this if: you’d like to brown some dishes without regularly using convection.
Limitation: the grill mode requires suitable cookware and is no substitute for a convection function.
Combination microwave
Consider this if: you plan to cook dishes regularly that need convection and don’t have a practical oven.
Limitation: extra functions don’t mean you can overlook the space required. For example, the Panasonic NN-C69K measures 520 × 520 × 327 mm, according to Panasonic France.
| Consideration | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Defrost settings and whether there’s enough room for your plates. | When meals often consist of portions to reheat, avoiding extra steps and washing-up becomes a priority. Around 36% of consumers prioritise reheating and defrosting. |
| Occasional browning | Whether it has a grill and which accessories are suitable for this mode. | For the occasional pizza or gratin, a golden finish matters more than an oven-style cooking function. This is a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Oven-style cooking | Whether it has convection, its temperature range and the size of dishes it can accommodate. | If you don’t have a practical oven, being able to cook recipes that need convection regularly can affect your choice of appliance. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this cooking option. |
| Installation | The external dimensions and clearances specified in the model’s manual. | In a very tight space, being able to position and ventilate the appliance properly matters more than extra functions. Installation is the main concern for around 14% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing a combination model without planning to cook with it
Convection won’t help you choose between appliances if you mainly plan to reheat and defrost food. A combination model may also need more depth: Panasonic France lists the NN-C69K as 520 mm deep.
Think about the recipes you’ll actually make, then measure the space before choosing this option.
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Relying on the capacity in litres alone
The internal capacity doesn’t tell you the external dimensions or how much space to leave for ventilation.
Measure the available width, height and depth, then compare them with the specifications and manual for the exact model.
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Using the top of the appliance as a shelf
Whirlpool France says not to block the ventilation openings and recommends keeping the top of the microwave clear.
Place it on a flat surface and leave the ventilation areas specified in the manual unobstructed.
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Using the same container for every mode
Plastic approved for microwave mode isn’t automatically suitable for the grill or convection. Metal containers and utensils must not be used in microwave mode.
Check the container’s instructions and the manual to see which accessories are approved for each mode you use.
Brands and models to consider
These examples are intended to help you compare specific configurations; their features shouldn’t be assumed to apply to every appliance from the same brand.
Panasonic
The NN-GT21Q is an example of a compact grill model, while the NN-C69K is a combination model with convection.
- According to Panasonic France, the NN-GT21Q has a 20 L cavity and measures 440 × 324 × 258 mm.
- The NN-C69K measures 520 × 520 × 327 mm, according to Panasonic France. Check its depth in particular before choosing it for a kitchenette.
Whirlpool
The MWP251W is an example of a microwave-only model; the MWF259SG combines microwave and grill functions.
- Whirlpool France lists the MWP251W as having a capacity of 25 L.
- For the MWF259SG, check that its functions suit the dishes you cook and that its dimensions fit the space you have in mind.
Samsung
The MG23T5018CK/EF is an example of a grill microwave to consider if defrosting and browning are important to you.
- Samsung France lists Quick Defrost and Grill Fry functions for this model.
- These functions apply to the MG23T5018CK/EF; check the modes and dimensions of any other model you’re considering.
Microwaves available on Joybuy
These models are mainly suited to reheating and defrosting, with several options for occasional browning. If you plan to cook regularly using convection, check that the model you’re considering has this function rather than assuming it does from the term ‘combination’.
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Beko MGC20100B1, 20 L black grill microwave
Worth considering for reheating portions and occasionally browning a dish. The product title lists a 20 L capacity and 700 W; check that your plates fit on the turntable and confirm the required installation clearances.
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LG MH6535GIS, 25 L black microwave
If you want to reheat and defrost food, and occasionally brown dishes, check that its modes are suitable for the food you cook. The product title lists a 25 L capacity; consult the MH6535GIS manual for the required clearances and confirm the microwave power if that’s important to your choice.
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Electrolux EMZ421MMTI, 21 L titanium microwave
Worth considering for reheating and defrosting in a small kitchen, with an option for browning to check against your needs. The product title lists a 21 L capacity and 800 W; measure the space and consult the manual for installation clearances.
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Electrolux EMZ725MMTI Inverter, 25 L titanium grill microwave
A good option if you’d like a golden finish as well as reheating and defrosting. The product title lists a 25 L capacity and 900 W; check the external dimensions and ventilation requirements before deciding where to put it.
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COMFEE CMO‑MP012OC(WH) Inverter, 19 L white microwave
Consider this if reheating and defrosting are your priorities and a 19 L capacity is enough for you. The product title lists 700 W, five power levels, a 30-minute timer and a 245 mm turntable; check the external dimensions and freestanding installation requirements before buying.
Frequently asked questions
Is a solo microwave enough for a kitchenette?
Yes, if you mainly plan to reheat and defrost food. UFC-Que Choisir identifies these as key uses. Choose a grill model if you want to brown dishes, or a combination model if you’ll genuinely use convection.
How much space should you leave around a microwave?
Follow the clearance requirements in the manual for your chosen model; they can’t be worked out from the capacity in litres alone. Whirlpool France recommends placing it on a flat surface, keeping the ventilation openings clear and leaving the top of the appliance free.
Can you use the same containers in microwave and grill modes?
Not necessarily. Don’t use metal containers or utensils in microwave mode. Plastic approved for this mode may not be suitable for the grill or convection. Check the container and the manual for the mode you’ve selected.
Does the legal guarantee of conformity cover a second-hand microwave?
Yes, when a second-hand product is sold by a business to an individual in France. The Ministry of the Economy explains that this legal guarantee also applies to new and refurbished products. It covers whether the product conforms to the contract, and is separate from simply changing your mind.
What should you do with your old microwave when replacing it?
Ask the retailer how to have your old appliance taken away when you buy a new microwave. Microwaves are classed as waste electrical and electronic equipment, as set out by the ministry responsible for the ecological transition. Don’t put one in your household rubbish.