Combi oven/microwave vs countertop microwave

nokia3310

We are doing up our kitchen at the moment but we won't have a that much countertop space when it's all finished. We don't own a microwave but we were planning on buying one when the works are finished although that will further limit our counter space.

When we were shopping for built-in ovens, someone recommended to us that we could buy a combi oven that includes a microwave function and would mean we wouldn't have to buy a microwave separately. The one that was recommended to us was the below model from Neff.

I had never heard of a combi oven before a week ago and have no idea how they work. Does the microwave in a combi oven work the same way as a "normal" microwave? Are the cooking times roughly the same? I use the microwave very regularly and while the idea of buying a built in combi sounds great to save on the counter space, I would feel more comfortable if I knew how they performed compared to a traditional microwave.

Any insight on the differences would be appreciated.

https://noyeks.ie/neff-n50-built-in-oven-b3ace4hg0b-and-built-in-microwave-oven-c1amg84g0b-graphite-grey-pack.html?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAiOa9BhBqEiwABCdG87-YqkEp_VCrZfRGB5IfOFyb-W1Vxzv3YxK_m67PpFp1lCm8NryE0BoCLLsQAvD_BwE

zell12

Get microwave/oven/grill, replaces all three. Like so https://www.amazon.co.uk/Russell-Hobbs-Microwave-including-RHM2366B/dp/B0CQ2YGMCR

steamdave

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123198037#Comment_123198037

But he is short of counter space.

After renewing our kitchen, we got a Neff built in oven and also a Neff combi oven for the very same reasons you state. We use the main oven for most cooking and use the combi for microwave functions only. Our old stand alone microwave was easier to use but the saving in counter space more than makes up for that. I notice that your proposed microwave goes up to 900w, more than the one we have. To answer your question about the functionality, the combi oven will do microwave cooking + whatever other functions listed. Ours does fan cooking, hot air cooking and grilling as well as the microwave, of course..

The price you have been quoted looks very good compared to what we paid. So, if you think you need a microwave, I would say go for it. We would not get another microwave, probably look at using an air fryer for most of our cooking (although we do hardly any frying), reserving the big oven for items that an air fryer cannot take.

The best feature of the main oven is the fold away door, but all advice is don't try to take the glass out to clean between the panes. We used the self cleaning feature on the main oven once. Very smelly, hot and expensive to use! Use kitchen foil or the silicone sheets to keep the oven bottom clean.

Dave

nokia3310

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123218565#Comment_123218565

Thanks Dave, that is very helpful!

greasepalm

It seems to be the next new gadget even though my mother had one around 40 years ago and they need space as they give off heat. One can roast joints inside with convection cooking and microwave function. I only had room for a small micro as have Halogen ovens and Ninja Foodi to hand if needed.

Idbatterim

Is that not insane money? Jesus, a microwave can be bought new for sixty quid!

Short pf counter space... so what is stopping op ? Putting a carcass around the 3 in 1 Russell hobbs linked to , the way you also would, with the neff ?

steamdave

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123198037#Comment_123198037

The R.H. unit has only a capacity of 25 litres, whereas the Neff combi has a capacity of 44 litres. The main oven has a capacity of 71 litres. All depends on what he wants to use his cooking appliances for. Personally, I would struggle with a 25 litre max capacity cooking appliance.

Dave

nokia3310

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123219924#Comment_123219924

We are getting a double oven anyway. I was wondering if was it worth getting a combi oven instead of a double oven to save us buying a microwave that would take up counter space that we won't have too much of.