Student or studio flat dweller
If you mainly reheat and defrost food, prioritise these uses before making room for extra cooking functions. UFC-Que Choisir lists student accommodation among the situations where a microwave can be a useful addition.
Who is each option for?
Small household without a separate oven
If you also want to brown dishes or cook certain meals, distinguish between a grill and fan-assisted cooking. The latter is suited to oven-style dishes that a grill alone can’t handle.
Compact fitted kitchen owner
Before choosing between a freestanding and built-in model, measure the space and check the model’s installation requirements, including any housing unit and ventilation needs.
What should you prioritise?
Start by choosing the cooking modes you’ll genuinely use, then check that the appliance and its required clearances will fit in the space available.
Solo microwave
Worth considering: if reheating and defrosting are your main uses and you have another way to cook.
Limitation: it won’t do the job of a grill or a fan-assisted oven.
Microwave with grill
Worth considering: if you mainly want to brown or crisp up certain dishes.
Limitation: a grill doesn’t mean the appliance also has a fan-assisted cooking function.
Combination microwave with fan-assisted cooking
Worth considering: if you regularly plan to cook as you would in an oven, without installing a separate oven.
Limitation: its versatility doesn’t mean you can skip checking the exact model’s size and cooking results.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Compare the defrost settings and the space available for the containers you usually use. If possible, check the test results for the model. | When I mainly reheat meals and defrost portions, I don’t want to choose cooking modes I’ll rarely use. Around 27% of consumers with these needs make this their priority. |
| Browning | Check that it has a grill and find out which accessories are permitted for the selected mode. | If I occasionally want to brown a dish, I need a grill, but not necessarily an appliance that can cook like an oven. This is the top priority for around 13% of consumers with these needs. |
| Oven-style cooking | Look specifically for fan-assisted cooking or convection, then check the model’s modes and temperature range. | Without room for a separate oven, I also want to be able to cook oven-style dishes regularly. Around 33% of consumers with these needs prioritise this use. |
| Installation and use | Measure the space and check the manual for ventilation, any housing unit required and containers compatible with each mode. | My worktop or cupboard gives me little room to spare, so the appliance must be installed and used in accordance with its manual. This is the priority for around 27% of consumers with these needs. |
UFC-Que Choisir assesses defrosting, reheating, grilling and cooking functions separately. So a product listing that mentions these modes isn’t enough on its own to judge how well they perform. For a built-in appliance, the housing unit dimensions are another factor to consider alongside cooking performance. For a freestanding model, check the space and ventilation requirements in its manual.
What pitfalls should you avoid?
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Confusing a grill with fan-assisted cooking
A grill is useful for browning dishes, but having one doesn’t confirm that the appliance has the functions needed for oven-style cooking.
Make a list of the dishes you plan to cook. If you want to replace some of the things you’d use an oven for, look specifically for fan-assisted cooking or convection.
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Going by capacity in litres alone
The internal capacity won’t tell you whether the appliance will fit on a shallow worktop or whether your dishes will fit inside the cavity.
Compare the external dimensions, usable interior space and clearances required in the manual.
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Overlooking ventilation
An appliance may fit in the space you measured but still have its ventilation grilles blocked. Whirlpool reminds users to keep them clear.
Follow the clearance and connection instructions for the model you choose. Don’t use measurements from another appliance.
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Heating food in a tray without checking its instructions
A container made for food isn’t necessarily suitable for every mode, duration or power setting.
Check the recommended use on the container. Anses advises following the cooking times and power settings shown on packaging intended for microwave use.
Brands to know
Whirlpool
Whirlpool offers freestanding microwaves with grills, among other models.
- Whirlpool’s product listing for the MWF255B describes a 25 L cavity with no turntable and a grill function.
- This model is described as a microwave with a grill, not a fan-assisted model. Check the modes available on the model you’re considering.
Panasonic
Panasonic offers combination models that bring together microwave, grill and fan-assisted convection functions.
- Panasonic’s product listing for the NN-C69KS describes a fan-assisted cooking function adjustable to 40 °C and then from 100 to 220 °C.
- For this 30 L model, check that the stated depth of 520 mm and weight of 22,2 kg are suitable for the space you have in mind.
Samsung
Samsung also offers microwaves that combine convection, grilling and microwave cooking.
- Samsung’s product listing for the MC28H5015AW states a capacity of 28 L and these three modes.
- Check with the retailer that this model is available before deciding to buy it.
Electrolux
Electrolux offers compact built-in ovens that combine microwave and oven functions.
- Electrolux’s product listing for the KVLBE08X mentions a grill and fan-assisted cooking, among other features.
- Installation requires a housing unit measuring 450 × 560 × 550 mm. Check that your cupboard is compatible rather than applying these dimensions to another model.
Microwaves available on Joybuy
This selection includes microwaves with grills for reheating and browning, as well as combination models with convection to consider if you also want to cook oven-style dishes. Start by choosing the functions you need, then check the installation requirements for each model.
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Beko MGC20100B1, 20 L microwave with grill, black
Worth considering if you want to reheat, defrost and brown food without needing fan-assisted cooking.
Stated capacity: 20 L; power stated in the product name: 700 W. Check the manual for the dimensions and clearances needed for installation.
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Electrolux EMZ725MMTI, 25 L microwave with grill, titanium
Worth considering for reheating and defrosting, with a grill for browning certain dishes too. Check the manual for the exact modes available.
25 L freestanding model; the product name states 900 W. Measure the space, allowing for the ventilation requirements.
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LG MH6535GIS, 25 L microwave with grill, black
For reheating, defrosting and browning certain dishes, check that the programmes and accessories suit the way you plan to use it. If you want to cook as you would in an oven, check separately that it has fan-assisted cooking.
Stated capacity: 25 L; the product name states 1 000 W. Check the manual for ventilation clearances.
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LG MJ3965ACS, 39 L combination microwave
Worth considering if you want one appliance for reheating, defrosting and oven-style cooking. Compare the results for the modes that matter to you.
Stated capacity: 39 L. The stated dimensions are 54,4 × 52,5 × 32,7 cm. Measure the space and check the manual for installation clearances.
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SHARP YC-MC422AE-SB, 42 L combination microwave
Worth considering if browning and oven-style cooking are important to you. If you defrost food often, check the relevant settings before buying too.
Stated capacity: 42 L. The stated dimensions are 553 × 326 × 505 mm; also allow for the clearances specified in the manual.
Frequently asked questions
How can I check whether a combination microwave will fit in my small kitchen?
Measure the available width, height and depth, then compare them with the exact model’s dimensions and ventilation requirements. For a built-in model, also check the housing unit dimensions required. For example, Electrolux specifies 450 × 560 × 550 mm for the KVLBE08X; these measurements don’t apply to other models.
Is a grill enough to replace an oven?
A grill can help you brown dishes, but on its own it can’t replace a fan-assisted cooking function for oven-style dishes. If you plan to make these dishes regularly, check that the model specifically has convection or fan-assisted cooking.
Can I put any food tray in the microwave?
No. Check that the container is suitable for the intended use and follow its instructions. Anses advises following the cooking times and power settings shown on packaging intended for microwave use.
Can I use a metal rack in a combination microwave?
Only use a rack or other metal accessory if the model’s manual permits it for the programme selected. An accessory designed for grilling or fan-assisted cooking isn’t automatically suitable for microwave mode.
Does advertised fan-assisted cooking guarantee even results?
No. It tells you that the mode is available, not how well every dish will cook. UFC-Que Choisir assesses several cooking criteria in its tests, so check the results for the model you’re interested in if they’re available.