Single-portion leftover reheaters
If you usually heat one bowl of stew, a straightforward solo microwave may suit you. Check that your bowl fits, and look for power settings you can adjust.
Who is this for?
Batch-cooking households
If you reheat larger portions or use a broad casserole dish, compare the turntable and internal dimensions as well as the stated capacity.
Consumers concerned about uneven heating
If thick stew often needs attention during reheating, you may want to compare power controls and automatic programmes. You will still need to stir and check the food throughout.
What matters when choosing?
Start with the dish you actually use: its fit can rule out a microwave before extra programmes become relevant. Then decide how much control and worktop space you want.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Heating thick stew | Compare adjustable power settings and, if useful, sensor-reheat controls. Plan to stir partway through and check that the stew is piping hot throughout. | If I regularly reheat thick, chilled stew, I want to control the cycle without leaving cool areas among the meat and vegetables. Around 50% of consumers would put thorough, even reheating first. |
| Dish and portion fit | Measure your widest microwave-safe dish and compare it with the turntable and internal dimensions; allow room for it to rotate. | When I heat a batch portion in a broad dish, I need enough usable space rather than a litre figure alone. For around 30% of consumers, dish and portion fit is the main concern. |
| Space and simple controls | Compare exterior dimensions with your worktop space and choose controls you find straightforward to use. | If I mostly reheat one bowl, I want an appliance that fits my worktop without adding cooking modes I rarely use. Compactness and simple operation come first for around 20% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing by litre capacity alone
A 20L microwave may hold your usual bowl but not a broad casserole dish. The dish also needs space to rotate.
Measure the widest dish you expect to use, then check the model’s turntable and internal dimensions.
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Letting an automatic programme do all the checking
Thick stew can heat unevenly. Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust advises people receiving chemotherapy to turn and stir microwave food halfway through and ensure cooked food is piping hot throughout.
Pause to stir the sauce, meat and vegetables. Follow the appliance’s standing-time instructions where applicable, then check the whole serving before eating.
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Choosing extra cooking modes for a reheating-only task
Grill, convection and air-fry modes serve other cooking tasks; they are not needed simply to microwave stew.
Consider a solo microwave if reheating and defrosting are your regular tasks. Choose additional modes if you expect to use them.
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Reheating the same cooked stew repeatedly
Food-safety advice from Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust for people receiving chemotherapy says not to reheat cooked food more than once.
Divide a batch into portions before chilling so you can reheat only the portion you intend to eat. Follow the meal’s storage and use-by instructions.
Brands to consider for these microwave types
Panasonic
Panasonic UK & Ireland lists both compact solo microwaves and larger solo models for buyers comparing worktop space with dish capacity.
- The NN-ST22QBBPQ is specified at 20L with an 800W output and a 255mm turntable. Panasonic’s ST65 solo model is specified at 32L with a 34cm turntable and sensor reheat.
- Check which size fits your cookware and worktop. Panasonic’s statements about even heating with its inverter technology are manufacturer claims, not a substitute for stirring and checking stew.
Samsung
Samsung’s MS23T5018AC/EU is a 23L solo option for consumers considering a mid-size appliance with touch controls.
- Samsung lists Quick Defrost, glass touch controls and a Ceramic Enamel interior for this model.
- Samsung presents its Triple Distribution System as an even-cooking feature but notes that availability can vary by model. Check the exact variant rather than assuming a heating result.
Russell Hobbs
The RHM2027B is a manual-control 20L microwave to consider for routine reheating and defrosting.
- Russell Hobbs specifies an 800W output, five power levels, dial controls and a 25.5cm turntable for the RHM2027B.
- Check the fit of larger casserole dishes; this manual-control model is a different choice from one with sensor reheat.
LG
LG’s MH6535GIS is a 25L grill microwave for consumers who also want cooking functions beyond reheating stew.
- LG specifies a 1000W output and Smart Inverter technology for this model, alongside its grill function.
- The grill adds a mode you may not need for stew. LG’s heating-performance descriptions are manufacturer claims, not independent stew-reheating results.
Joybuy microwaves for reheating stew
These solo microwaves cover compact bowls and some larger-dish choices. Compare your dish with each model’s usable space before choosing; the models below are not substitutes for the distinct brand models discussed above.
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Midea MMOP01MZ-WH 20L Solo Microwave, White
Consider this compact solo model for an individual bowl of stew. Its listed output is 700W, and its title specifies MET inverter technology; check that your usual bowl fits and rotates freely. Stir the stew during reheating regardless of the heating feature.
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Samsung MS23K3513AW/EU 23L Solo Microwave, White and Black
This 23L solo model is a mid-size option if your stew dish needs more room than a compact model provides. Its title lists an 800W output and Triple Distribution System; that feature name does not establish how evenly it reheats stew. Check dish fit and stir during heating.
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Russell Hobbs RHM2063-AH 20L Digital Microwave, Black
Consider this 20L model if you usually reheat a single portion and want to adjust the settings yourself. The title specifies an 800W output and five power levels. Check that your bowl fits and rotates freely, and stir the stew during reheating.
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Hisense H25MOBS7HUK 25L Solo Microwave, Black
The 25L capacity is worth considering if you use a larger bowl or dish, subject to checking its actual fit. The title specifies a 900W output and auto defrost. An automatic function does not replace stirring stew and checking it is piping hot throughout.
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Hisense H23MOBS5HUK 23L Solo Microwave, Black
This 23L solo model is another mid-size choice for reheating stew. Its title specifies an 800W output and auto defrost. Check that your dish rotates freely and confirm the controls on the exact model if you have a preference for touch controls or dials.
Frequently asked questions
How should I reheat beef stew in a microwave?
Stir the stew partway through reheating and check that it is piping hot throughout before eating. Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust gives this stirring and thorough-heating advice in its food-safety guidance for people receiving chemotherapy; use a microwave-safe dish and follow your appliance’s instructions too.
Is a 20L microwave big enough for beef stew?
A 20L microwave can suit an individual bowl if the dish fits and rotates freely. Panasonic UK & Ireland specifies a 255mm turntable for its 20L NN-ST22QBBPQ, but capacities and usable dimensions vary by model, so measure your own dish before buying.
Do I need a grill or combination microwave to reheat stew?
No: a solo microwave can reheat stew without grill, convection or air-fry modes. Consider a combination model if you also intend to use its other cooking functions, rather than choosing those modes for stew reheating alone.
What guarantee should I check when buying a microwave?
Check the guarantee for the exact model and seller rather than assuming every appliance from a brand has the same terms. Russell Hobbs states a one-year guarantee for its RHM2027B; that model is different from the RHM2063-AH shown in the Joybuy products above.