Can I manage without an oven?

[BexyGr]

Hi, I’m separating from my husband and moving into a smaller property, an old Victorian terrace which needs a complete overhaul. I’m moving the kitchen from the basement up to the ground floor, it’s lovely but not a massive space. I’m wondering if I can manage without an oven and get an airfyrer and a combi oven-microwave instead. I do use a microwave so I definitely want one of those, and I do like to cook, but won’t be doing big meals anymore (just me and dd but she’ll also be at uni). I bake sometimes, but I can maybe use the combi for this? Has anyone given up their traditional oven and done this? Or is it just not worth it and I should just find the space? Thanks x

😂

I looked at that one but they have terrible reviews. Shame because its nice looking. We got the Ninja in the end but if I did it again I would get one of the basic brands on Amazon, combi ovens are much of a muchness.

I didn’t use my oven after we got an air fryer but recently our microwave stopped working and we haven’t yet replaced it, so I’ve found I’ve needed to use the oven for some things or if there’s not enough space in air fryer for everything (there’s 3 of us at home). I personally use the hob most days especially with no microwave.

If it’s just you a lot of the time & you’ve got a combi you’ll probably be fine without an oven.

I grew up in a house with no oven (intentional removal to use the space for something else).

we had a large microwave/convection combo oven and a hob. My mum cooked for a family of four for 20 years on that combination! Christmas dinners included.

I can't imagine not having an oven. Air fryers are great but if you enjoy baking there are things that wouldn't fit into one or a combi microwave.

I no longer have a toaster as my air fryer has a toast function, so that's one less appliance! We just bought a cheap one to try it but plan to upgrade at some point.

I only ever bake 20cm cakes (never bake for more than 4) and that fits in no problem.

DH bakes his bread in it too.

But of course those who bake or cook for a load of people more often won't be able to do without a bigger oven.

It sounds like OP would be fine though.

We have a free standing cooker with hob. Only use the job for pasta and the oven to bake, which is few and far between. Makes great storage for pans though

we have an air fryer and combi microwave which is amazing and would definitely buy another when it breaks. Baked some lovely buns in it yesterday. We use all 3 functions in it a lot

I don’t use the built in oven at all (rented place). I have an Instant Pot air fryer oven and I can do everything in that - including a whole roast chicken and potatoes. Can easily do meals for 2.

amzn.eu/d/9UVMXnG

Still have a microwave and steam veggies in there, and occasional convenience food etc.

and through the summer - not so good in Winter though, roasts, and tray bakes, casseroles, big cakes or small, large turkey, rice pudding with grated nutmeg, etc

Didn’t realise it was possible to get a combined air-fryer/microwave/ steamer /have I got it right that you can get all those in one?
How large?
This would my dream😀

Google 'small kitchen ideas' and then see if any of the images would work for you. Our kitchen is small and we have an oven and a microwave. No air fryer. I think an oven is a necessity in a kitchen.

I live in a tiny house and chose a small oven over a microwave/airfryer etc. I searched for ages to get one that was small enough for the space.
We had considered a dishwasher instead for the space but decided on the oven so that what little worktop space we have isn’t taken up by a microwave/airfryer etc.

I love my kitchen!

Yes I'm interested to see how it will pan out for us over autumn/winter. I can do small, two-portion casseroles easily enough in the air fryer oven, and even some 4-portion things like lasagne and other tray bakes, but my cast iron pans obviously don't fit and are too heavy anyway. I won't be able to do any batch cooking of wintery dishes, except the ones I can do in the instant pot.

I have one of these OP, I am on my second identical model, they are fantastic and I cannot fault them. I never use the main oven

www.panasonic.com/uk/consumer/home-appliances/microwaves/combination-microwaves/nn-cd58jsbpq.html

Something like this ?

www.panasonic.com/uk/consumer/home-appliances/microwaves/combination-microwaves/nn-cs89lbbpq.html

We love entertaining so ovens are essential for us. We also cook a lot of Asian food so a good hob is another must have. We also have an air fryer, microwave, etc - space isn't an issue but all appliances live in the larder because I hate clutters on the main counter tops.

Using a Combi is fine for a small roast. For baking you'd be restricted to circular pans so no tray bakes.

A lot of combination now only have the heat source at the top so again, for baking using the convection setting, things are more inclined to burn on top whilst still cooking inside.

We used 2 air fryers for around 10 weeks. It’s doable.

Thanks -am looking for one that combines airfryer too.
Have seen some on Amazon so definitely going to go for this option. I live alone and have no interest in ‘baking’ and currently have separate steamer, slow cooker, microwave, toaster and air-fryer all that I use regularly so to combine them in one would make my dreams come true 😂😂

I've just replaced a combi microwave/oven/grill with the upgraded version which incorporates an air fryer. Never used an air fryer before, but hoping the whole machine is as good as its predecessor (which was excellent, and has been used daily for 21 years)

@MistyMountainTop I use a small ‘brownie’ square pan in mine, it also comes with different height racks so you can use the low rack to cook furthest away from the neat source, (perfect for pizza) it also has a very efficient fan located in the top of the unit, I’ve used ‘lesser’ models than the Panasonic and you are right they don’t cook as efficiently.

@MrsGuyOfGisbo Air fryer is just convection heat though isn’t it?

@MrsGuyOfGisbo would be great to free up all that space !

I have combi and an oven. To be honest, don't need both as the combi is HUGE. Just get a big one. The only downside is it's not pyrotechnic so I tend to use big oven for roasts as it makes the oven dirty and the pyro can clean it. Not sure if you can get a combi that's pyrotechnic but it's so worth having. I guess if you keep on top of cleaning the combi (I'm not very good!) then it's OK but it does get messy.

In my case - no way as I use it almost daily living alone. But I don’t have a microwave (by choice) or air fryer - I have a slow cooker I use occasionally. (I’m on a 4 year project overseas).

on the other hand, DH would say absolutely he could! He is still at home and almost never uses the actual oven but uses both the microwave and airfryer a LOT.

Just different styles of cooking solo…but each of us cooks decent healthy food most of the time (I know cos we eat dinner together most nights over FaceTime 🤣).