Combination Microwaves

[The Tinker]

Hi - I need a new microwave. Is it worth buying a combination microwave? Please let me know your experiences as having read loads of reviews am not sure if it is worth the extra money?

[Dancing Queen]

I had one years ago and would say no it wasn't worth the money but then I have never got "into" using the microwave to cook ( always intended to but it never happened )

I do know people that have them and think they are wonderful so I suppose the question is how much do you use a microwave and for what, if like me it is basically to reheat then it would be a waste but if you use one for cooking meat, baking etc then you would probably be delighted with the end result.

[oldbluefox]

I'm not sure either. We do use ours for jacket potatoes to crisp the skins up a bit whilst they are cooking although it's better to start them off in the microwave and put them in the oven. That's about all.
We don't find the grill bit very powerful on ours so I would say they are handy but limited and not essential. You couldn't make toast in them. Like DQ we use ours mainly for re-heating and jacket potatoes. We don't use ours for baking or cooking meat so may not be the best one to ask.

[Meg 50]

I use mine for sauces, hot chocolate and defrosting little things

oooo and melting jelly cubes!


I have a standard 900 Kw

[kaymar]

We have a 1000w Neff which doubles up as a "top" oven when required. Like most people, we usually use it as a microwave to heat or re-heat simple things but it is occasionally very handy to have the extra conventional oven space - Christmas is the obvious example but I would guess that we use it in this way once or twice a month. Not much, admittedly but we would miss it if it was not there. I would probably say Yes, go for it.

[Jacknian]

From my point of view I would say its not worth it. We had one for a few years and hardly ever used the grill part, so I switched back to a normal smaller microwave which suits me better. Depends what you want to use it for.

[Manoverboard]

If you require a second oven then get one of those rather than a combi ... unless you also do a lot of micro-waving.

[GillD46]

We have a Sharp combi microwave and steam over - expensive but very good - when I use it!

[gfwgfw]

On par with the advent of slice bread, the Microwave that is

Just the Giant and the much beloved in residence at gfw towers these days

The Aga is redundant

- but our Sharp's multitasker is more than an adequate for our culandry needs

- it bakes exceedingly nice rabbit pies in a thrice of hours

[Onelife]

Hi Tinker

As others have said a combination microwave sounds like a good idea but in reality you hardly ever use the "combinations"....save your money and get yourself a bread maker...you won’t use this very often either but the smell/taste of freshly made bread will ensure it gets more use than your combination oven.

Regards

OL

[oldbluefox]

But you can't do jacket potatoes in a breadmaker!!

[The Tinker]

Thanks everyone for your feedback - am going to go for a bog standard microwave - had visions of being the next Mary Berry of Combination Micros but guess it wouldnt happen in real life lol!