You mainly reheat meals
In a studio, you’re likely to want an appliance that reheats and defrosts food without taking up too much space. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes these everyday uses from grilling and combination cooking.
Which type suits your needs?
You’d like to brown or crisp food occasionally
You usually reheat meals, but would also like to brown toast or crisp up a portion without installing a separate oven. A model with a grill can give food that finishing touch, but it shouldn’t be confused with a fan oven.
You cook without a main oven
You’re considering a combination model to bring several cooking modes together in one appliance. Weigh this up against the available depth, the space needed for ventilation and the dishes you’ll actually prepare.
How do the models compare?
For a studio kitchenette, start with the food you’ll prepare most often, then check how much space the appliance needs, including when the door is open and with the required ventilation clearances. The cavity capacity alone won’t tell you how much space it will take up.
| What to consider | What to check | Who this suits |
|---|---|---|
| Reheating and available space | Measure the external dimensions and check the reheating and defrost functions. Allow for the clearances specified in the manual. | If I mainly reheat portions and defrost food, I want to keep my worktop clear; around 36% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Browning and crisping | Check that it has a grill and how much space the appliance takes up. A grill doesn’t mean it has a fan oven function. | To brown a dish occasionally without adding an oven, I need a grill as well as reheating; around 21% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Versatile cooking | Check the combination model’s cooking modes, including whether it has a fan oven function, as well as its dimensions and any accessories needed for the dishes you plan to make. | Without a main oven, I’d like to cook simple meals in the same appliance I use to reheat food; around 29% of consumers would prioritise this versatility. |
| Regular oven cooking | Compare a compact oven with a combination model based on the dishes you plan to make, the space available and any other way you have to reheat or defrost food. | If oven recipes are a big part of my meals, I don’t want to choose a combination model simply because it offers several modes; around 14% of consumers would put this need first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing by capacity without measuring the appliance
The interior capacity doesn’t tell you how much depth you’ll need on your worktop. For example, Whirlpool lists dimensions of 39.2 × 36 × 35.3 cm for its 13 L MAX34/BL, compared with 52 × 30.1 × 42.5 cm for its 25 L MCP 345 BL.
Measure the width, height and depth, as well as the space needed to open the door, then compare them with the external dimensions of the model you’re considering.
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Enclosing a freestanding model
Blocked vents can prevent the appliance from getting the ventilation it needs. Whirlpool advises against blocking the vents on its microwaves.
Follow the clearances specified in the manual for the exact model; don’t assume a freestanding appliance can be used in an enclosed space.
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Choosing a combination model for modes you won’t use
Grilling and fan oven cooking serve different purposes from simple reheating. A combination model may also need more depth and room to handle: Whirlpool lists a depth of 54 cm and a weight of 27.45 kg for its 33 L MWSC933SB.
Make a note of the dishes you’ll prepare regularly. If you only plan to reheat and defrost, look at solo models first; if you mainly want to brown or crisp food, compare models with a grill.
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Confusing the statutory guarantee with an extended warranty
For goods sold by a trader to a consumer in France, the statutory guarantee of conformity is mandatory, as the Ministry of the Economy explains. An extended warranty is separate and doesn’t replace it.
Before taking out an extended warranty, read its duration, exclusions and repair and transport terms. Keep your proof of purchase.
Brands to compare
These examples of product ranges help you compare features and sizes. Your choice should depend on the specifications of the exact model, not just the brand name.
Whirlpool
Whirlpool France’s range includes solo, grill and combination models in a variety of sizes.
- The 13 L MAX34/BL is an example of a compact solo model, measuring 39.2 cm wide; the MCP 345 BL adds a grill and has a 25 L cavity.
- The 33 L MWSC933SB combination model is 54 cm deep and weighs 27.45 kg. Check that your chosen space can accommodate it and provide adequate ventilation.
Samsung
Samsung France’s guide distinguishes between standard microwaves, grill models and combination models, and recommends measuring the space before you buy.
- Samsung describes the MC35R8088CC as a 35 L convection combination model, so you can compare this feature with your cooking needs.
- The cooking results claimed by the brand won’t, on their own, tell you how well it will suit the dishes you plan to make or how much space you’ll need in your kitchenette.
Panasonic
Some Panasonic combination models bring together microwave, grill, oven and steam functions in a single appliance.
- Panasonic describes the NN-DS59N as a 27 L 4-in-1 model, with an oven mode adjustable from 30 to 220 °C.
- If you’re considering this model for a kitchenette, check its dimensions, the space needed to install it and the room required to handle its water tank.
Solo and grill microwaves on Joybuy
These models suit two common kitchenette needs: reheating and defrosting with a solo microwave, or adding a grill to brown and crisp food. Compare their size and the installation instructions for each model before choosing.
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Heinrich's 20 L solo microwave
For reheating and defrosting, without the need for a grill function.
The product title lists 700 W, six power levels, a 30-minute timer and a defrost function.
Check the manual for the ventilation space required and the socket specifications before deciding where to place it.
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Beko MGC20100B1 with grill, 20 L
Adds a grill function to everyday reheating and defrosting.
The product title lists a 20 L capacity and a 700 W rating; check which function this rating applies to if it affects your decision.
Check all the clearances required in the manual, particularly above the appliance.
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LG Electronics MH 6535 gih with grill, 25 L
For reheating and defrosting, with the option of using the grill to finish off dishes.
The product title lists a 25 L capacity, a 1000 W rating and a digital display; check the product specifications to see which function the power rating refers to.
Before installation, check the ventilation clearances and the instructions on which containers to use in grill mode.
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Samsung MS23K3513 solo microwave, 23 L
For everyday reheating and defrosting rather than browning and crisping.
The product title lists a 23 L capacity and Quick Defrost; check the manual for the ventilation space required.
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Electrolux EMZ725MMTI Inverter with grill, 25 L
For everyday microwave use with the added option of a grill.
The product title lists a 25 L capacity and a 900 W rating; check which function the power rating applies to if you’re comparing models.
Pay particular attention to the available depth and check the manual for ventilation clearances and electrical connection requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Can you install a freestanding microwave inside a closed cupboard?
Don’t assume a freestanding model can be enclosed in a cupboard. Whirlpool advises against blocking its vents; check the manual for your chosen model to confirm the required clearances and permitted locations before installing it.
Can a combination microwave completely replace an oven?
A combination model can handle some of the tasks you’d use an oven for, but don’t assume it will suit every recipe. UFC-Que Choisir says combination models offer some of the basic functions of a conventional oven and assesses different cooking modes separately. Compare the modes and interior space with the dishes you actually make.
Is the capacity in litres enough to choose a studio microwave?
No. The litre capacity describes the cavity, not the space the appliance takes up on your worktop. Whirlpool lists dimensions of 39.2 × 36 × 35.3 cm for its 13 L MAX34/BL and 52 × 30.1 × 42.5 cm for its 25 L MCP 345 BL. Also measure the space needed to open the door and allow for the clearances specified in the manual.
What should you check before plugging a microwave into a kitchenette socket?
Check the appliance’s rating plate and manual against the socket you plan to use. Whirlpool, for example, specifies 230 V and a Schuko plug for the MCP 345 BL; this doesn’t apply to every model. For the built-in Siemens BE555LM.1, the manual states that connection must be carried out by a qualified, authorised person if the appliance is supplied without a plug.
Does an extended warranty replace the statutory guarantee in France?
No. For goods sold by a trader to a consumer in France, the statutory guarantee of conformity is mandatory, according to the Ministry of the Economy. An extended warranty is separate: check its terms and exclusions, and don’t confuse it with this statutory protection.