The microwave handles nearly every weeknight dinner, but the oven often stays cold for a simple reason: it takes longer to preheat than the meal takes to cook. That leaves yesterday's lasagne pale, with soft cheese and none of the toasted crust that makes it worth eating. The Candy Moderna is built for that exact gap, since it heats like a standard microwave and switches on a grill when needed.
A grill that replaces the oven
The metal grill rack comes included in the box. Users place the plate on top, select the grill function, and the cheese starts bubbling without firing up a 60-litre oven for a single portion. There is no preheating to wait for and no extra tray to wash afterward.
It suits the kind of midweek gratin dishes people actually make: leftover pasta, vegetables that turn soggy in a plain microwave, a cheese toastie, or fish that needs more colour. Because the appliance combines microwave and grill functions, the inside of the food heats while the top browns, solving the one problem a microwave alone never could.
The model is discounted, according to the report, though its main appeal on the counter comes from replacing two appliances with one.
900W and six power levels
The 900W output shows up in the obvious way: a plate straight from the fridge is ready before the table is set. The six power levels matter later, since defrosting food without cooking the edges, or warming a stew without splattering the walls, depends on lowering the setting rather than guessing at timing.
Its 23-litre capacity and 27cm turntable are enough for a regular dinner plate or a small dish, though not for a full Christmas Eve tray. It comes with 40 automatic programmes, though in practice most users will rely on around four: potato, popcorn, defrost and reheat. The touch panel is straightforward enough that it does not require reading the full manual just to set a two-minute timer.
One thing worth knowing is that it is not built to last indefinitely. According to the report, some units fail earlier than expected, and warranty handling is not always as fast as buyers would like.
Width is the key measurement: 48.3cm
The microwave measures 48.3cm wide, 40.6cm deep and 28.1cm tall, and is designed for freestanding installation. That width is the figure worth checking before any feature, since it determines whether the unit fits between a bread bin and the edge of a cooker hood, or forces a rearrangement of the counter. For a tighter space, Candy makes the same model in 20 and 25-litre versions; for more room, a 31-litre version is also available.
The steel and black glass finish wipes clean easily, which matters for a microwave that regularly catches tomato splashes. According to Candy, the Autoclean programme uses steam to soften those splashes so they come off without scrubbing, and the brand also offers the hOn app with recipes and tips, which is optional but included. The safety lock, on the other hand, is far from optional in households with children who can reach the panel.
A bonus for hot weather
In August, the appliance offers a double benefit: browning a dish without switching on the oven also means not turning the kitchen into a sauna at ten at night.
