Skip to Content

Is a microwave convection oven a good idea?

Microwave convection ovens, sometimes called combination ovens, have been growing in popularity in recent years. As the name suggests, these ovens combine the speed of a microwave with the browning and crisping ability of a traditional convection oven. But are they truly the best of both worlds? Here we’ll examine the pros and cons of microwave convection ovens to help you decide if one might be right for your kitchen.

What is a microwave convection oven?

A microwave convection oven is an all-in-one appliance that can function as both a microwave oven and a convection oven. It uses microwave technology to quickly heat and cook food from the inside out. But it also has heating elements and a fan to circulate hot air, allowing it to brown and crisp foods on the outside the way a regular oven does.

This dual cooking method allows you to enjoy the speed of microwave cooking along with the tasty crispiness of conventional baking. Most models have dedicated keys or modes for microwave, convection, or combination cooking.

Pros of microwave convection ovens

There are several advantages that microwave convection ovens can provide over traditional microwave or oven cooking:

Speed

The microwave component can cook foods significantly faster than a standard oven. This allows you to reheat leftovers, cook frozen foods, or prepare quick weeknight meals in a fraction of the time.

Versatility

With combination cooking settings, you can use the microwave function to get food hot quickly, then switch to convection to finish cooking and get crispy results. This makes it easy to cook a wide range of foods from roast chicken to baked goods.

Browning and crisping

The convection setting circulates hot air like a regular oven, meaning you can brown and crisp foods for better texture and appearance. Microwaves alone can’t achieve this crisping effect.

Moistness

Foods cooked in a microwave convection oven are often more moist than oven-baked items. The microwave function partially steams the food from within while the convection crisps the outside.

Space saving

Having one appliance that can do the job of two saves precious counter space in kitchens. Microwave convection ovens have a smaller footprint than a microwave and oven stacked together.

Cons of microwave convection ovens

However, there are a few potential downsides to consider as well:

Cost

Microwave convection ovens are typically more expensive than buying a microwave and oven separately. Units can range from $200 up to $1000 or more depending on features.

Learning curve

There can be a bit of a learning curve in understanding the best modes and settings to use to cook specific foods. It may take some trial and error to get used to combination cooking.

Limited capacity

The capacity of microwave convection ovens is smaller than full-size ovens. Heavier baking tasks like cookies or pizzas may be difficult as there is less room for air circulation.

Preheating time

You lose the ability to have a preheated oven ready for baking since you have to wait for the convection function to heat up each use. This adds a bit more time compared to a regular oven.

Metal racks

Metal oven racks cannot be used safely in a microwave. Microwave-safe racks may be smaller or less durable than traditional oven racks.

Microwave convection oven benefits

To summarize the benefits of owning a microwave convection oven:

Benefit Description
Speed Microwave function cooks foods very quickly.
Browning Convection settings crisp and brown foods for better texture.
Moistness Foods are moist on the inside with a crispy exterior.
Versatility Can be used for baking, roasting, reheating, defrosting, and more.
Combination cooking Use microwave and convection settings in the same cooking cycle.
Space saving Takes up less space than multiple appliances.

Potential drawbacks to consider

However, there are also some drawbacks that you should keep in mind when deciding if a microwave convection oven is right for your needs:

Drawback Description
Higher cost More expensive than buying a microwave and oven separately.
Learning curve Can take some time to learn best cooking modes.
Smaller capacity Less interior room than full-size ovens.
No preheating Must wait for oven to heat up each use.
Unsafe with metal Metal oven racks cannot be used.

Advantages of microwave convection ovens

Microwave convection ovens provide a number of advantages over traditional microwave ovens and conventional ovens:

Speed

Foods cook much faster than in a regular oven. The microwave function can reheat a plate of food in seconds or minutes. Frozen convenience meals are hot and ready to eat in a fraction of the time.

Browning and crisping

While a microwave alone can’t brown or crisp food, the addition of convection heating gives you golden, crisp results similar to a conventional oven. This allows you to enjoy the speed of microwave cooking without sacrificing texture and appearance.

Moisture retention

The microwave component steams food from the inside out while the convection gently roasts the exterior. This helps retain more natural moisture and prevents foods from drying out.

Versatility

With combination and multi-stage cooking, you can prepare everything from baked goods to roasted meats in a microwave convection oven. The various modes give you flexibility to achieve different cooking results.

Space saving design

Having one appliance that can serve as both a microwave oven and a small convection oven saves precious real estate on your kitchen counter. Microwave convection units have a compact footprint.

Potential disadvantages

However, there are a few potential drawbacks to consider as well before purchasing a microwave convection oven:

Higher price

Microwave convection ovens tend to cost more than buying a microwave and convection oven separately. Expect to pay $200-300 more for a combination unit.

Smaller capacity

The interior cavity of a microwave convection oven is smaller than a full-sized oven. Heavier baking that requires more pan spacing may be difficult.

No preheating option

You lose the ability to preheat the oven before use, which can impact recipes where you want the oven at temperature before baking. The oven has to heat up each time you use it.

Learning curve

There is a bit of a learning curve to understand the best modes and functions to use to cook specific foods. It may take some trial runs to get perfectly cooked results.

Unsafe with metal

Metal oven racks, pans, and utensils can’t be used safely in the microwave mode. You need microwave-safe cookware.

Microwave convection oven buying guide

If you’ve decided a microwave convection oven is right for your cooking needs, here are some key features to consider when selecting an appliance:

Size and capacity

Look for an interior cavity size and capacity that suits your cooking needs. Microwave convection ovens range from 0.7 to 1.8 cubic feet. Measure your cookware to ensure a good fit.

Power levels

Higher wattage means faster cooking. Look for microwave power of 800-1000 watts. Convection wattage can range from 1300-2200 watts for good air circulation.

Temperature probe

A built-in temperature probe helps ensure meats are cooked to the ideal internal temperature for food safety.

Easy-clean interior

A smooth, ceramic enamel interior is best for easy cleaning. Stainless steel is another good option.

Programmable cooking

Preset cooking modes and customizable multi-stage programming allows you to achieve optimal results for various foods.

Big turntable

A large, rolling turntable ensures even cooking results. Look for a diameter of at least 12 inches.

Price

Expect to pay $250-600 for a good quality microwave convection oven. Higher priced models typically have more cooking modes, sensors, and added features.

Best microwave toaster oven models

Based on microwave convection oven reviews, here are 5 top-rated models to consider:

Brand & Model Key Features
Cuisinart CMW-200 1.2 cubic ft capacity, 1000W microwave, 1850W convection, 7 functions
Breville BOV845BSS 1.5 cubic ft capacity, 10 power levels, 13 cooking functions
Panasonic NN-CD997S 1.2 cubic ft capacity, inverter turntable, cyclonic wave cooking
GE PEB9159SJSS 1.5 cubic ft capacity, 300 CFM convection fan, temperature probe
KitchenAid KSMC07H7NP 0.7 cubic ft capacity, 900W microwave, EasyCook programs

Should you buy a microwave convection oven?

Here are some final pros and cons to weigh when deciding if purchasing a microwave convection oven is right for your kitchen:

Reasons to buy

  • Fast cooking times
  • Crispy, browned textures
  • Moist interior results
  • Combination cooking flexibility
  • Compact size saves space

Potential drawbacks

  • Higher upfront cost
  • Smaller capacity than ovens
  • Can’t use metal cookware or racks
  • No preheating function
  • Learning curve to use modes properly

Microwave convection ovens let you cook foods incredibly fast while still achieving delicious results. For many busy cooks, the versatility and convenience outweigh the higher price tag. If your kitchen has the space, a separate microwave and oven may serve you better than a combination unit. But for most cooking tasks, a quality microwave convection oven provides the ideal marriage of speed and proper cooking performance.