Combination Microwaves

[New Judge]

Has anybody had any experience of a Combination Microwave oven? The type I am thinking of combines a microwave oven with a grill and a conventional oven. I've seen some answers to earlier similar questions but I'm particularly interested in whether the conventional oven and grill functions are very efficient. I'm looking to replace my current oven, grill and microwave and I am thinking of incorporating one of the combo ovens where my existing (built-in) microwave oven is situated. If they are efficient at roasting and grilling one will probably do me and Mrs Judge for everyday purposes.

I will, of course, also have to buy a large conventional oven for the occasions when we have to entertain my fellow judges as all they seem to want to eat is turkey, rib of beef and gammon (usually all on one plate and always washed down with vast quantities of claret and port � no wonder most of them suffer from gout).

Many Thanks

The Judge

[theonlyone]

I've had a combi micro for years and as long as you read the info you will not have a problem . It is trial and error when you buy any new appliance , but not had a problem with mine . May be you should give your buddies a more healthy meal ...less red meat and wine and more salad !!

[ethandron]

it was the only cooking appliance my sister had for about two years, when she separated and moved house, and she swears by them. i bought one on her recommendation, when my ordinary microwave broke, and it was a waste of money for me as i rarely used any of the other functions. it broke, and i've since replaced it with a 'cheap and cheerful' microwave from a supermarket.

[New Judge]

Thanks both for your replies.

I'm torn!

By the way, theonlyone, I once tried salad on my colleagues. They fed it to my pet rabbit and asked me to cook the rabbit as a starter for their next visit!

[Im a BusyBee]

It does depend upon how/what you eat and whether you are cooking (generally) for a family or just yourself. I swear by mine and wouldnt be without it. But i use it in conjuction with a slow cooker and steamer. I could be without my range cooker, no problem, but use combination microwave, steamer + slow cooker at least 5 days out of 7. Also find my microwave invaluable for convenience for my 2 teenagers - for example cooking a pizza is far more ecconomically and quickly cooked in microwave.

[New Judge]

Thanks, BusyBee.

What I'm really interested in is how it performs in each of the individual functions (i.e. as a grill, small conventional oven or microwave). At present I have just a large (conventional) oven with integral grill and a microwave (both built-in). I need to replace both and I had first though of buying a twin oven (large fan/conventional and a small oven with grill). This is mainly because I wanted a separate grill. I would then have to buy a separate free standing microwave.

However, I started to look at the combo ovens, hence the question.