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 wouldn’t be without my oven and could not be without a hob.
You will free up space for units but may lose worktop space as most air friers and combis sit out when on. We have a built in, not under, combi oven microwave, it is smaller than the main oven and has storage above and below. Hob has pan drawers under.
A lot depends on how you feel about food and cooking, if you bake a lot etc. Standing at a hob making a risotto is something I very much enjoy. Making a new recipe with different components too. If you are closer to a food as fuel person then it might not matter so much.

Yes, I forgot about our small square pan! Ours is a Panasonic too and even on the lowest setting, once a cake rises it's nearer the top so likely to burn. What experience has told me is that I need a piece of tinfoil folded to size and I very quickly throw it on top with about 10 minutes cooking time left!

Absolutely, my kitchen refurb took 5 months (dont ask) and all I had was my airfryer and microwave set up in the lounge. I steamed veg in microwaveable pots, and managed a whole roast on several occaisons.
I barely use the oven these days now, airfryer all the way for me. There is nothing it can't do except fry a steak, definitely need a pan and hob there :-)

@MistyMountainTop i don’t make cakes but that sounds like a solution, I always knock 20 degrees off the reccomended heat level,too as I find they are very efficient. They seem to be perfect for certain things like take and bake bread, oven chips, pastry products, roast potatoes etc, single ready meals things that don’t require such TLC as a cake I suppose

I’ve got an LG Combi oven & a Ninja Dual flex airfryer. I haven’t used my oven in years except to store stuff in.

@MissNowt I rate LG appliances which one do you have (for future reference) as I love my Panasonic one

It’s an LG Smart Inverter Magnetron - I do really like it but the Panasonic I had before (with the shelves) was the best!

@MissNowt aaaah okay then thanks - will stick with the Panny it’s my second one in 15 years, same model, I gave the old one to my friend as it was still working okay, just a bit tired looking

@soupyspooni think it’s brilliant! Got it partly for the look as we’d just done the kitchen up, but we use it all the time

No don't do it

I haven’t used my oven since Christmas since getting an airfryer, absolutely love it

i live alone and mainly use a small air fryer but I’m not sure I’d want to do without an oven

(in a previous home with a very small kitchen I had a Welsh dresser in the dining room which I kept kitchen stuff)

This …. However we now let the pizza defrost for 10 minutes, but with scissors and put them in slices in the air fryer to save turning the oven on!

My combi microwave is built in. It doesn't need to be on the worktop.

Yep us too! 🤣

I've got something like this.
Important to get around 30 to 35 liters without a turntable and ideally get a drop down door.
I never use the main oven now.
https://www.johnlewis.com/panasonic-nn-cf87lbbpq-combination-microwave-oven-31l-metallic-silver/p5105332

NN-CD88QSBPQ - this is the Panasonic model I've ordered. I've had two Panasonic combi oven / microwave / grill in 25 years (both same model), so I'm hoping adding the air fryer doesnt reduce it's efficiency!

@AntikytheraMechThat's a brilliant gadget.

We had a single oven built in that had a microwave function. It was brilliant. Neff I think!

@Timeforabitofpeace they are brilliant, Panasonic is a little on the pricey side but the build and quality of components is good. My neighbour used to work for them in Cardiff and told me this. I adore mine ❤️