Studio flat dwellers who mainly reheat meals
If you’ll mainly use your microwave for reheating and defrosting, first work out how much space you can set aside for a freestanding model.
Who is this guide for?
People without an oven who also want to brown or cook food
A grill is useful when you want to brown a dish occasionally. If you’re also planning to cook with fan-assisted heat, consider a combination microwave and check which dishes it can accommodate.
People with a built-in space
Check the dimensions of the space and the model’s installation requirements before comparing its cooking programmes.
What should you check before choosing?
Start with the meals you actually prepare, then check that the appliance and its installation are right for your kitchen.
| Priority | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking modes | Check for a grill if you want to brown dishes, or fan-assisted cooking if you’re planning to cook meals in the style of an oven. Que Choisir Ensemble distinguishes these functions from those of a standard microwave. | I mainly reheat ready meals, or I also want to brown and cook some dishes without a traditional oven. |
| Space and ventilation | Compare the appliance’s external dimensions with the available space and, for a built-in model, check the dimensions of the housing. Consult the manual for the required clearances; Whirlpool France reminds users that ventilation grilles must remain unobstructed. | My worktop space is limited, or I need to fit the appliance into an existing housing without blocking its ventilation. |
| Electrical supply | Check the voltage, total electrical power, current rating and cable length listed for the model you’ve chosen, then compare these with the intended location. | I’m replacing an appliance in a small kitchen and want to make sure the socket and location are suitable for the new model. |
| Dishes and portions | Check that the shape of the cavity or basket will fit the dishes you usually use. If you’re also considering an air fryer, bear in mind its size and noise, as highlighted by Que Choisir Ensemble. | I mainly cook portions that need roasting or grilling, or I’m more likely to reheat meals in my usual containers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing a combination microwave just because it does « everything »
If you almost always reheat meals that are already cooked, you may rarely use the grill and fan-assisted cooking functions.
Make a list of the meals you usually prepare. Separate reheating, the occasional browned dish and meals for which you’d genuinely use fan-assisted cooking.
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Relying on capacity instead of checking the dimensions
The capacity in litres doesn’t tell you how much worktop space the appliance will take up or whether it will fit into a housing.
Measure the space and compare it with the appliance’s external dimensions and, where necessary, the built-in dimensions of the exact model.
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Installing an appliance without checking ventilation
Blocked ventilation grilles go against the installation guidance highlighted by Whirlpool France.
Check the manual for your chosen model before planning to install it under a cupboard or in a housing. Make sure you allow for the required clearances.
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Assuming an air fryer can replace a microwave
Que Choisir Ensemble describes an air fryer as an appliance for cooking, roasting and grilling, among other things, while also noting its size and noise. These uses may not meet your needs if you often defrost food.
Compare the meals you want to roast with those you mainly plan to reheat or defrost, then check you have enough space for the appliance you choose.
A guide to some of the brands
Whirlpool
Whirlpool France offers a range that includes freestanding and built-in combination microwaves.
- The brand describes the MWF255B as a 25 L freestanding model with no turntable, and the WMW47HMBF as a 40 L built-in model with fan-assisted heat.
- These specifications apply to these specific models. Check the manual and installation dimensions for the one you’re considering.
Electrolux
Electrolux France offers built-in models with product details that specify housing dimensions and electrical requirements.
- The product details for the EMS4253TEX specify a housing size of 380 × 560 × 550 mm, total electrical power of 1 400 W, 230 V and 10 A.
- These figures don’t apply to other Electrolux models. Compare the details for your chosen model with your installation.
LG
LG France describes the MC-8090WH as a freestanding combination microwave with fan-assisted heat.
- For this model, LG lists external dimensions of 53 × 32 × 42 cm and a power consumption of 2 550 W when using fan-assisted heat.
- Check these dimensions against your worktop. They don’t indicate the size of other combination microwaves.
Microwaves at Joybuy
This solo model is suited to anyone looking for a microwave to reheat meals in a small kitchen. Its product name doesn’t indicate that it has a grill or fan-assisted cooking.
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Hisense H25MOBS7H Black Solo, 25 L, 900 W
This solo microwave is worth considering if you mainly want to reheat meals: the product name specifies 25 L and 900 W. Before choosing a spot for it, check the model’s dimensions and ventilation instructions in the manual.
Frequently asked questions
How much space should you leave around a microwave for ventilation?
Check the manual for your model to find out how much clearance is required for installation. Whirlpool France says that ventilation grilles must not be obstructed and that nothing should be placed on top of the appliance.
What should you measure before buying a built-in microwave?
Measure the height, width and depth of the housing, then compare these with the built-in dimensions of the model you’ve chosen, which differ from its external dimensions. For example, Electrolux France specifies a housing size of 380 × 560 × 550 mm for the EMS4253TEX. Check its installation manual too.
Can a combination microwave replace a traditional oven?
It can handle some oven-style cooking if it has the functions you need, including the grill and fan-assisted cooking described by Que Choisir Ensemble. Check that your dishes will fit inside and that the installation requirements suit your kitchen. If you only need to reheat food, you won’t need these extra functions.
Can you put a dish on the turntable when using fan-assisted heat?
Follow the appliance manual rather than assuming the turntable is suitable for this mode. For the multi-cooking microwave covered by its guidance, Whirlpool France says to place the dish on the supplied raised metal rack so that hot air can circulate.
Which electrical specifications should you check before installation?
Compare the model’s voltage, total electrical power and current rating with your electrical supply, and make sure its cable will reach the intended location. As an example specific to this model, Electrolux France lists 230 V, 1 400 W, 10 A and a 1 m cable for the EMS4253TEX.