Can a convection/microwave really replace a traditional oven?
Let me preface this with the fact that I am an oven fanatic. Almost everything I like to cook uses either the oven or the broiler. My husband and I are thinking of moving and I've been surprised that so many renovated kitchens (really nice kitchens) have eschewed a traditional range for a cooktop (which makes sense) and an over the "range" convection microwave. Is it possible that one of these gadgets can actually replace a traditional oven? Or were the owners more interested in saving space than doing oven-specific tasks (like roasting a pork shoulder for three hours or broiling fish)? What say you serious eaters? Should that be a deal breaker for us?
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11 Comments:
I recently moved into an apartment that lacks a real oven: I have two burners, a microwave, and a convection toaster oven. Like you, I have typically relied on the broiler and oven, but at least so far (a month in) I've done fine. If you have a big enough convection toaster oven, you can still roast vegetables or bake things for one or two people. The problem I'm encountering and that you probably would too is preparing enough food for more than a couple of people. I think it all depends on your cost-benefit analysis: I wouldn't have put up with this somewhat crappy kitchen if I hadn't been getting a great (and I mean GREAT) deal otherwise.
annatr at 6:29PM on 03/08/09
I barely use my "real" wall oven. Mostly because it's rather crappy, to tell you the truth, and has a tendency to burn the bottom of whatever is in it and not browning the tops, and I really don't feel like putting everything under the broiler after having baked it - imagine having to do this with muffins or granola bars.
Last year I bought a relatively large convection toaster oven, that covers all my baking, broiling and roasting needs perfectly (it even did a great job with a 12-pound turkey). I use it daily, if not several times a day, while the "real" one is used for storage. I often think that I'd rather have an extra cabinet in that wall. I do have a regular "bake" function in it in case I don't want to use convection (I usually use "bake" when I bake cookies).
Now, I've never used that combined microwave/convection oven you're talking about, but if it works as well as my little convection toaster oven, I'd go for it. Although it sounds like it may be smaller and doesn't have a broiler, does it?
brooke29 at 8:42PM on 03/08/09
I've got some feedback here because we just got a new house and the oven totally blows. The microwave was probably from the first wave of microwaves and sounded like it was going into orbit anytime we turned it on. The rest of the kitchen is awesome, as is the house so we knew we'd eventually replace both of these appliances.
The mico was yanked and replaced with a convection/micro. OMG. I love cooking in this thing. I did a mushroom lasagna the other night and it was perfect. I've baked cookies in it, and I like to roast fruit in it for desserts. I also use the nuker to reheat leftovers but I'm in love with that convection.
Having said this, no, I do not believe a conv/micro can replace an oven, either convection or traditional. I think it's nice to be able to quickly bake or roast something but let's face it. How the heck are you going to prepare T-Giving with one convec/micro???
We are still planning to replace the (really sucky) oven but I want to wait until enough money frees up to get what we REALLY want. Electrolux double wall ovens. Convection x 6 oven racks. Yeah, baby.
therealchiffonade at 8:57PM on 03/08/09
This is excellent to know. It sounds like should the best thing to do is supplement the microwave/convec with a large countertop convection oven if I can't reconfigure the kitchen and put in an in-wall convection oven.
Duckwise at 9:32PM on 03/08/09
No never!. Don't you feel the amazing taste of classic owens? Microwaves are just not natural !
juliaforrest12345 at 11:54AM on 03/09/09
I love my oven, but I lived in a dorm room in college for 2 years with no oven access. I can atest to the fact that you can create some truely amazing fare with an electric tea kettle, a microwave and a coffe pot. You can't bake real chocolate chip cookies, but you can make a great biscuit or piece of toast on a coffee pot burner!
domesticdiva at 9:24PM on 03/09/09
I just redid my kitchen two years ago and on the advice of my designer put in a convection/microwave oven. I hardly used my microwave in my old kitchen (just to heat up kids food and defrost things) so I figured this would be more handy.
Yeah, two years later I have not used the convection feature at all. I use my regular oven everyday. Oh well. I have the manual out to read it, but that is as far as I've gotten.
Peony at 12:25PM on 03/10/09
I moved into my apartment about two years ago and was forced to deal with the microwave/convection oven combo and I'm happy to say I've survived if so far. It works for most things, I've roasted a 7 lb. pork shoulder, made souffle's and great mac & cheese, but their are a couple of inconveniences of the contraption
1. No hot flash/broiler system - Unless you crank it up to 400 degrees (the top of the range for the temperature gauge) A no go on a quick browning.
2. Not enough space for large scale cooking (just the same since I can't fit more than 8 people in my place!)
3. Heating up the oven takes forever.
thisisjeffo at 3:59PM on 03/10/09
My oven has convection bake/convection roast features that I love, and I use one or the other about once or twice a week. I use my Cuisinart convection toaster oven almost on a daily basis. Don't know anything about micro/convection ovens, though.
soozm32 at 4:22PM on 03/10/09
When I remodeled my kitchen I put in a Thermador Convection Wall oven. Since I didn't want to have two regular ovens, as a lot of kitchens do, and thought I might have a need for a second oven when entertaining, I bought a micro/convection oven. I have baked in it, cooked casseroles. I love my regular oven but the micro/convection definitely can work as a traditional oven when needed.
lucylucy at 9:10AM on 03/11/09
This would be a deal breaker for me. The major downfall--a microwave/convection oven can only cook one thing at a time--no slipping the second dish in when the first is halfway cooked. And while I have never done it I should think baking might be an issue.
But really, I'm an old dog and there's a limit to how many new tricks I want to learn. Real ovens please!
smallblondemom at 4:06PM on 03/11/09