Students who mainly reheat meals
You have access to a hob, oven or shared kitchen. You’d mainly use your microwave to reheat meals and defrost food, without needing lots of extra washing-up.
Which option suits each type of user?
Students who want to brown their food
You regularly make toasted sandwiches, pizzas or gratins. A grill model adds browning to reheating, but doesn’t offer all the functions of an oven on its own.
Students without a conventional oven
You’d also like to bake or roast food in your accommodation. A combination model is worth considering, provided its size and the clearances specified in the manual suit your space.
Which criteria should you check first?
Start with the meals you actually prepare, then measure the space: the capacity in litres alone won’t tell you whether the appliance and your dishes will fit.
Solo microwave
Consider this if: you mainly need to reheat and defrost food, and have another way to cook.
Limitation: it won’t brown food or replace a conventional oven.
Grill microwave
Consider this if: you’d like to brown or grill dishes as well as reheat them.
Limitation: the grill alone doesn’t provide the fan-assisted heat of a combination model.
Combination microwave
Consider this if: you don’t have access to an oven and plan to cook with fan-assisted heat.
Limitation: its extra functions are only worth the space it takes up if you plan to use them.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Check the available settings and make sure your plates fit inside the cavity or on the turntable. | For everyday meals, I mainly want to reheat or defrost food, without needing to brown it. Around 42% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Space and dish size | Measure the external dimensions, door opening and space required around the vents; then check that your dishes fit inside the cavity. | In my small kitchen, the appliance needs to fit on the worktop without making my plates unusable. This would be the priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Cooking without a conventional oven | Check whether the cooking settings suit the meals you make, then make sure you have enough space to install the appliance. | Without access to an oven, I need to cook or roast food, not just reheat it. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise this option. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based on capacity in litres alone
Two appliances with similar capacities can take up different amounts of space. The stated capacity also doesn’t guarantee that your usual dish will fit inside the cavity.
Measure the width, height and depth, as well as the door opening, then check the manual for the ventilation clearances required by that model.
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Buying a combination model for functions you’ll rarely use
Fan-assisted heat can be useful if you don’t have an oven, but it won’t add anything if you only need to reheat and defrost food.
Make a note of the meals you plan to prepare each week, then choose the cooking settings that suit them.
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Blocking the vents to save space
Whirlpool France warns that blocked ventilation can cause the appliance to overheat.
Keep the vents clear and follow the installation instructions in the manual. Don’t assume a freestanding appliance can be placed in an enclosed alcove.
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Heating a ready meal without checking its instructions
Anses says that heating food at too high a power or for too long can increase the transfer of substances from packaging into food.
Check that the container is microwave-safe and follow its instructions on power, heating time and whether to remove the film lid.
Brands to compare by model
Whirlpool
Whirlpool France offers freestanding solo, grill and combination microwaves: a range worth exploring according to the functions you want and the space you have available.
- Whirlpool France lists the MAX49MB grill model with a 13 L cavity and dimensions of 39,2 × 36 × 35,3 cm.
- According to Whirlpool France, the MWF255B measures 49 × 32,5 × 46,8 cm and weighs 19 kg. Measure your worktop before opting for its 25 L capacity.
Samsung
Samsung France separates its freestanding ranges into Solo, Grill and Combination models, making it easier to look for functions that suit the meals you plan to prepare.
- Samsung France states that the MC28H5015CK/EF combination model brings together microwave, grill and convection cooking in a 28 L cavity.
- These functions don’t remove the need to check the dimensions and settings of the specific model you’re considering.
Panasonic
Panasonic France offers grill and combination models, among others. Compare them by considering their size as well as their functions.
- Panasonic France lists the NN-GT65QBEPG grill model with a capacity of 31 L and external dimensions of 525 × 401 × 310 mm.
- For a small worktop, also check the available depth and the clearances specified in the manual.
Solo and grill microwaves on Joybuy
These models are suited to reheating and defrosting, with a grill function on some models for browning food. If you want to cook with fan-assisted heat because you don’t have an oven, check that the model you’re considering has this function.
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Hkoenig VIO4, 20 L freestanding microwave, 700 W, white and stainless steel
A straightforward model to consider if you mainly want to reheat and defrost your meals.
Measure the space where you plan to put it and check the manual for ventilation clearances and electrical installation requirements.
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Electrolux EMZ725MMTI Inverter, 25 L grill microwave, 900 W, Titanium
The grill function is useful if you’d like to brown certain dishes as well as reheat food.
Before choosing it for a small kitchen, check the space it will take up and the ventilation clearances required for this model.
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Samsung MS23K3513 Solo, 23 L microwave with Quick Defrost
This solo model is suited to reheating and defrosting rather than browning food.
Check you have enough room for the appliance, its door and ventilation before installing it.
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COMFEE CM-E202CC(BK), 20 L microwave, 700 W, black
The defrost functions and 11 power levels listed in its product description are worth considering if you mainly prepare everyday meals.
Make sure your dishes fit inside the cavity, then check the manual for ventilation and electrical installation requirements.
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LG Electronics MH 6535 gih, 25 L grill microwave, white
The grill function lets you brown dishes as well as reheat and defrost food.
If microwave power is important to you, check the rating and installation requirements in the model’s documentation.
Frequently asked questions
Is a solo microwave enough for a student studio flat?
Yes, if you mainly plan to reheat and defrost food and have another way to cook. According to UFC-Que Choisir, a grill model adds a browning function, while a combination model also offers oven-style cooking functions.
How can I tell whether a freestanding microwave will fit in my kitchen?
Measure the available width, height and depth, remembering to allow for the door to open. Compare these measurements with the model’s dimensions and follow the ventilation clearances in its manual. Whirlpool France advises against blocking the vents.
Can I heat a ready-meal tray directly in the microwave?
Only if its markings and instructions say it is suitable for microwave use. Anses recommends following the stated power and heating time for microwave-safe packaging, as overheating can increase the transfer of substances into food.
Can I use a metal rack in a grill microwave?
Yes, but only if the model’s manual allows it, and only in the settings specified. The fact that a rack is supplied for grilling doesn’t mean you can use it in the standard microwave setting.
What should I check about the manual and spare parts before buying?
Make a note of the exact model number and check that you can access its manual, as well as the relevant parts and support. Whirlpool France offers manuals to download and information about repair and parts services; check availability for the appliance you choose.