You mainly reheat meals
Most of the time, you’re heating leftovers and ready meals or defrosting food. A solo model is a good fit for these needs, without trying to double as an oven.
Which type suits your needs?
You’d like to brown food now and then
Reheating is still your main use, but you’d also like to brown a pizza or a dish under the grill. Look for a model with a grill, and check which accessories are approved for this setting.
You don’t have a usable oven
If you plan to cook regularly as well as reheat food, it’s worth considering a combination microwave with convection. Check its exact functions and how much space it will take up.
What should you look for when comparing models?
In a kitchenette, start with the meals you prepare most often, then compare the functions you need with the appliance’s dimensions and the space available.
| What matters to you | What to check before buying | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and defrosting | Power and defrost settings; external dimensions and the space needed to open the door. | If most of your meals are leftovers or portions to defrost, prioritise these tasks over oven-style functions. Around 39% of consumers prioritise reheating and defrosting. |
| Occasional browning | Whether it has a grill; which accessories are approved for this setting. | If you occasionally make pizza or a dish under the grill, you’ll want to brown the top without making oven-style cooking your main use. Around 23% of consumers prioritise occasional browning. |
| Oven-style cooking | Whether the specific model has convection; dimensions, capacity and accessories suitable for each setting. | If you don’t have a usable oven, you may want to cook more regularly, but the combination microwave still needs to fit in your kitchen. Around 38% of consumers rank this partial replacement for an oven as their top priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing a combination microwave when you only need to reheat food
According to UFC-Que Choisir, combination microwaves add functions such as grilling and convection. These won’t make much difference to your choice if you don’t plan to use them.
Think about the meals you usually eat. Start by comparing solo models if reheating and defrosting are your main priorities, then consider a grill or convection depending on what you plan to cook.
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Relying on capacity without measuring the available space
The internal capacity won’t tell you whether the appliance will fit on your worktop or whether you’ll be able to open the door easily.
Compare the external dimensions of your chosen model with the space available, then check the manual for installation clearances and the room needed in front of the door.
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Reheating a meal in unsuitable packaging
Anses recommends following the power and heating time stated on the packaging: overheating food increases the risk of substances migrating from the packaging. For cling film and pouches, DGCCRF advises against using them in the microwave unless they are explicitly labelled as microwave-safe.
Check the container’s labelling and follow its instructions. For grilling or convection, also check which containers are approved in the appliance manual.
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Using a metal accessory with the wrong setting
In microwave mode, metal can cause sparks and damage the appliance, as Whirlpool France explains. An accessory designed for grilling isn’t automatically safe to use with every setting.
Follow the manual’s instructions for each setting and only use accessories that it explicitly approves.
Brands to consider
Whirlpool
Whirlpool France offers freestanding solo, grill and combination microwaves, with functions that vary by model.
- The MWF259SG is one example of a 25 L freestanding combination microwave, with its external dimensions published.
- The functions and dimensions of the MWF259SG aren’t representative of every model in the range.
LG
LG France offers a range of combination microwaves with microwave, grill and convection functions.
- This range includes models with oven-style cooking functions.
- Check the functions and dimensions of the specific model you’re considering. For example, according to LG France, the MC-8280NB measures 53 × 32,2 × 42,7 cm.
Brandt
Brandt’s GE2626W freestanding microwave is an example of a grill model for anyone looking to reheat and brown food.
- Brandt lists a 26 L capacity and an included rack for this model.
- These features apply to the GE2626W, not to every Brandt microwave.
Joybuy models to suit your needs
This selection includes solo models for reheating and defrosting, grill models for browning food, and a combination microwave to consider if you’d also like to cook using several different settings.
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COMFEE CM-E202CC(BK), 20 L solo microwave
Worth considering if you mainly reheat and defrost meals. The product title lists 700 W, six pre-set menus and eleven power levels. If you’d like to brown food, look for a model with a grill instead. Check the manual for the clearances required around the appliance and in front of its door.
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Electrolux EMZ421MMTI, 21 L microwave with grill
This freestanding model combines microwave and grill functions, making it suitable for everyday reheating and occasional browning. Check which accessories are approved for each setting, and how much space you’ll need in front of the door. If you want to cook using convection, confirm that this function is included before choosing this model.
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Beko MGC20100B1, 20 L microwave with grill
Worth considering if you alternate between reheating, defrosting and occasional browning. The product title lists a 20 L capacity and 700 W power. Measure the space in front of the appliance and check the manual for clearances and accessories that can be used with the grill.
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Samsung MS23K3513, 23 L solo microwave
This solo model is a good fit if you’re mainly looking to reheat and defrost food rather than use a grill. Its stated capacity is 23 L. Before deciding where to put it, check the ventilation clearances and the space needed to open the door.
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LG MJ3965ACS, 39 L combination microwave
Worth considering if you don’t have a usable oven and want several cooking settings. Its stated capacity is 39 L. Compare its dimensions of 54,4 × 52,5 × 32,7 cm with the space available. Check the manual for the settings, accessories and clearances required, including room to open the door.
Frequently asked questions
When should you choose a combination microwave over a solo model?
Choose a combination microwave if you genuinely plan to use oven-style cooking functions, particularly if your accommodation doesn’t have a usable oven. If you mainly want to reheat and defrost food, a solo model will suit your main needs. Still, check the dimensions and functions of each model.
Are all plastic containers microwave-safe?
No. Follow the compatibility and usage instructions on the container or packaging. Anses recommends following the stated power and heating time, while DGCCRF advises against using cling film and pouches unless they are explicitly labelled as microwave-safe.
Can you use metal in a microwave with a grill?
Having a grill setting doesn’t mean a metal accessory is safe to use in microwave mode. Whirlpool France warns that metal can cause sparks in microwave mode. Follow the manual’s specific instructions for each function and accessory.
What should you measure before putting an appliance in a kitchenette?
Measure the available width, height and depth, then compare them with the exact model’s external dimensions. Also allow room to open the door and for the installation clearances specified in the manual.