Combination Microwave Buying Tips

best combi microwave buying tips A combi microwave can grill and bake like a conventional oven and also heat and defrost. Find out in this article whether you should buy a combi microwave. ( For built-in models, see here )

Budding chefs can cook a multitude of meals in a combo microwave, even a full roast dinner. The best combi microwave can cook just as well as a conventional oven, but faster. If you buy a bad combi microwave, you will have wasted your money on those extra features.

How do combi microwaves work?

A combi microwave offers more cooking flexibility than a standard microwave. This is because a combi microwave (as the name implies) combines microwave energy, a grill, and convection heat (hot air) so they can heat, roast, fry, and brown in the same way as a full-size conventional oven.

best buy combi microwave if you want to expand the boundaries of microwave cooking and do more than just heat and defrost soup, then buying a combi microwave is a good choice. You can bake cakes in a combination and you can cook independently or together with the heat sources.

Preset programs can be very useful when cooking certain meals in a combination microwave, as they automatically cook food for the correct time combination of microwave, convection, and grill, without you having to set it yourself. Take a look at your microwave’s manual for guidelines for different meals.

Accessories such as vegetable and rice steamers and browning plates can help you achieve the right finish and make healthy and tasty meals.

Advantages and disadvantages of combi microwaves

Benefits

Provides additional cooking options compared to standard microwaves

Can cook in the same way as a standard conventional oven, but faster

Often have a lot of extra automatic functions and features

They can be built in your kitchen just like normal microwaves

They are smaller than conventional ovens

Cons

They are more expensive than other types of microwave ovens

A basic microwave may be sufficient if you simply want to heat and defrost food

They don’t always achieve the same results as a separate oven. We found that when baking some foods, they couldn’t create the same delicious texture of a conventional oven

They are not as big on the inside as a conventional oven

View the TOP best-selling combi microwaves here according to:

1. Ease of use

Best Combination Microwave BuyLook for easy-to-use controls and good instructions on the display. With the best models, you do not have to take the instruction manual to perform the basic functions.

2. To clean

Check for too many holes in the oven or seams on the outside for food and grease to accumulate. It can be difficult to clean around exposed grill elements. However, some models have built their grill elements on the roof. Stainless steel exteriors might look nice, but extra care is required to keep them free from fingerprints.

3. Dimensions

Check if your hobs and oven dishes fit in the microwave. The microwave also needs space on the outside for ventilation. This is at least 5cm at the sides, 10cm at the back, and 15-40cm at the top.

4. Automatic functions

These ask you to enter the weight and type of food and then automatically calculate how much time is needed.

5. Fast boost/start

combi microwave buying guides start the microwave, usually by pressing a single button. Most microwaves will increase the cooking time by 1 or a half minute each time you press the button again.

6. Time adjustments

This makes it possible to extend or shorten the programmed time without having to stop the microwave.

7. Delayed start

This makes it possible to program the microwave to start set time. However, don’t leave your food in the oven for too long or it could go bad.

8. Cheapest Combination Microwave BuySensor cooking

Sensor programs take the automatic functions one step further by measuring the vapors during cooking to determine cooking time.

9. Cooling fan

Many microwaves (both convection and basic models) have a fan to cool the interior after cooking, but in some cases they are quite noisy.

Combination microwave Buying tips

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Extra tips

Safety

Convection cooking heats the entire inside of the microwave, so the appliance must be insulated to prevent the outside from becoming dangerously hot. We found in our testing that the knobs, glass door, and handle heat up more than a standard microwave, but not dangerously hot. These models are much better insulated than mini ovens.

As with a conventional oven, you have to be very careful when removing food from the microwave, as the inside of the door gets very hot during convection mode and may close on its own and hit your hand. Always use oven mitts and let the microwave cool before cleaning the inside.

Also, keep in mind that while the interior of the microwave is still hot from convection cooking, you should avoid using containers/containers that are only microwave safe as they can be damaged by the heat.

Combination cooking

Combination mode: Using convection and microwave cooking at the same time (and maybe the grill too) can speed up the cooking process and give very good results.

Combination cooking is suitable for roasting meat, poultry, and vegetables, cooking fish, stew and potato and pasta dishes, and baking cakes, patties, and bread.

Metal cookware can be used in combination mode. However, some metal utensils can cause sparks when they make contact with the sides of the microwave or shelves.

To clean

Make sure the microwave is cool enough before cleaning. Unlike a standard microwave, the sides of a convection microwave can get very hot after use.

Do not use abrasive, penetrating, or harsh cleaning agents or scouring pads. Never spray oven cleaner directly onto any part of the microwave.

To clean the interior you have to use warm soapy water. For stubborn dirt, you can heat a bowl of water until it boils and then let it sit for 30 seconds to 1 minute. The steam will settle on the walls and soften the stubborn dirt, so you can wipe the microwave with a cleaning cloth and dish soap.

Installation

All built-in models must have a trim kit and be installed by a certified electrician.

Convection microwaves should not be placed in places that generate heat and steam (next to a conventional oven, for example).

All ovens need at least 5cm on the sides, about 10cm at the back and 15-40cm at the top.

Cheap Combination Microwave Buy

How much do you have to pay for the best combi microwave?

Combination microwaves are generally more expensive than standard microwaves (you pay for the extra functionality they offer). But not all of them are as expensive as you might expect. One of the cheapest recommended models we’ve tested costs around $ 150, but keep in mind that the costs can go up to well over $ 500 for a built-in microwave with a large capacity.

Take a look at our reviews now to determine which combi microwave best suits your wishes and needs. Good luck!