Small-worktop reheaters
If you mainly warm a bowl of peas or leftovers, check the appliance dimensions, door clearance, ventilation requirements and space for your usual dish. Litre capacity alone will not tell you whether it fits.
Who this is for
Simple-control buyers
If short reheats are your main task, physical dials and a clear timer may matter more to you than automatic programmes.
Frequent timed-reheat users
If you reheat food regularly, quick-start timing or an auto-reheat programme may be useful, provided the microwave still fits your kitchen and dishes.
What matters when buying
Manual solo microwave
Choose it when: You mainly reheat small portions and prefer to set power and time with dials.
Trade-off: You may have fewer programmed shortcuts than on a digital model.
Digital solo microwave
Choose it when: You often repeat the same short reheat and would use quick-start timing or auto programmes.
Trade-off: A preset does not replace checking that food is hot throughout.
Grill or combination microwave
Choose it when: You also intend to use browning, crisping or additional cooking modes.
Trade-off: Those modes add no necessary function to a simple reheat of cooked peas.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Worktop and dish fit | Measure the available width, depth and height, allowing for the door and the exact model’s ventilation instructions. Check the turntable against your usual bowl or plate. | I have little spare worktop space and need my usual dish to fit without crowding the appliance. Around 42% of consumers put worktop and dish fit first. |
| Simple controls | Compare dials with digital buttons, and check how you set power and time for a short reheat. | For an everyday bowl of peas, I would rather set a timer directly than navigate cooking programmes. Roughly 33% of consumers prioritise straightforward controls. |
| Repeatable timing | Look at quick-start increments, available programmes and rated microwave output; follow any stirring or standing instructions when reheating. | If I reheat food frequently, I want settings that are easy to repeat, while still checking the result. About 25% of consumers make repeatable timing their primary concern. |
Buying pitfalls
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Choosing by litre capacity alone
A 17L or 20L label cannot tell you whether the microwave fits the worktop or whether your usual dish has enough room.
Measure the appliance space and your widest dish, then check the exterior dimensions, turntable, door opening and model-specific ventilation instructions.
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Assuming a preset means the peas are hot throughout
Wattage and auto-reheat controls describe settings, not the temperature reached in every part of the food. GOV.UK advises reheating until food is steaming hot all the way through.
Follow the food and appliance instructions, including standing or stirring where directed, and check the peas before eating.
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Adding a grill solely to reheat peas
A grill offers another cooking mode, but peas can be reheated in a solo microwave.
Consider a grill or combination model if you will also use its browning, crisping or broader cooking functions.
Brands to consider for compact microwaves
Panasonic
The NN-ST22QBBPQ is a reference point for a compact digital solo microwave with quick-start and automatic programmes.
- Panasonic lists this model at 20L and 800W, with a 255mm turntable and a 440 × 324 × 258mm exterior.
- Check availability and the specifications of the exact model you intend to buy; these figures do not describe every Panasonic microwave.
Beko
The MOC20100W1 illustrates a freestanding 20L microwave with manual controls.
- Beko lists 700W output, six power levels and a 24.5cm turntable for this model.
- Its listed 36.8cm depth makes the worktop measurement particularly important if space behind the appliance is limited.
Russell Hobbs
The RHMM715 is a 17L manual solo model for buyers who prefer physical dials.
- Russell Hobbs lists 700W output, five power levels and a 24.5cm turntable for the RHMM715.
- Compare your dish with its turntable and consider whether you need digital timing before choosing this particular model.
Joybuy product choices
These solo microwaves offer manual or digital options for reheating small portions. Compare the exact model’s dimensions, dish space and placement instructions with your kitchen before choosing.
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Russell Hobbs RHM2063-AH digital microwave, black
Consider this solo model if you want digital controls for routine reheating.
20L capacity, 800W rated output and five power levels. Check its dimensions, ventilation requirements and door clearance against your worktop.
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Swan SM4421WHT digital microwave, white
This is another digital solo option for buyers who prefer timed controls when reheating.
20L capacity, 800W rated output, five power levels and a 95-minute timer. Confirm dish fit and the required ventilation and door clearances for your intended location.
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Hisense H23MOBS5HUK solo microwave, black
Consider this model if your usual dish calls for more room and your worktop can accommodate the appliance.
23L capacity and 800W rated output. Check the exact dimensions and ventilation clearance; confirm the controls for this model before buying.
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DAEWOO SDA1961 manual solo microwave, grey
This manual model suits buyers who want straightforward controls for reheating.
20L capacity, 800W rated output and a defrost function. Its placement instructions call for at least 10cm clearance on all sides; confirm dish fit and the number of power settings for this exact model.
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Midea MMOP01MZ-WH manual solo microwave, white
Consider this solo model if manual operation matters more to you than digital shortcuts.
20L capacity and 700W rated output. Confirm the exact exterior size, dish space and ventilation clearance for your worktop.
Common questions
Is a solo microwave enough to reheat cooked peas?
Yes, a solo microwave can reheat cooked peas without a grill. Choose grill functions only if you also plan to use them for other cooking tasks, and check that the peas are steaming hot throughout.
How should I reheat cooked peas in a microwave?
Reheat them until they are steaming hot all the way through, as GOV.UK advises, and reheat food only once. Follow the food and appliance instructions for standing or stirring; Food Standards Agency guidance includes those steps in microwave reheating practice.
Is a 17L or 20L microwave better for a small kitchen?
Choose the model that fits your worktop and usual dish, rather than deciding by cavity capacity alone. Russell Hobbs lists a 24.5cm turntable for its 17L RHMM715, while Beko lists a 24.5cm turntable for its 20L MOC20100W1; check each model’s exterior dimensions and ventilation instructions as well.