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Original poster

Do I need a double oven? Or a single with microwave combi?

70 replies

MunsteadWood · 28/02/2023 20:43

Builders just started work ahead of installing new kitchen. We've finalised our design and all set to go ahead with a built in single oven plus oven/microwave/grill combi, until we looked at the prices!!

The microwave combis are really expensive, and dont always seem to be that well reviewed.

DH is now saying he just wants to get a regular double oven, and keep our old (perfectly functional but a bit battered looking) plug in microwave and sit it on the worktop.

But I'm a concerned that by the time we've shelled out £££ for a lovely new kitchen and quartz worktop, sitting our tatty old microwave on top is going to look a bit naff.... but then is it so naff it really justifies spending a load more money to get the combi one??

DH is getting fed up of me prevaricating, and I really have to make a decision anyway as we need to order pretty soon!

Any ideas or recommendations very welcome!

OP posts:
Original poster
MunsteadWood · 28/02/2023 20:45

Other options I've considered are single oven plus built in microwave, but then I think we'll probably want a separate top oven sometimes, especially for grilling. Built in double oven plus built in microwave would be even more expensive, and would also mean I need to change the design...

OP posts:
acuppatea · 28/02/2023 20:59

Kind of depends how much available work top you have, will a freestanding microwave take up valuable space? We didn't have much worktop left to put a microwave on, so we went for a built in single oven and a built in microwave combi oven. Don't regret it.

winelove · 28/02/2023 21:05

Two built in ovens and a built in microwave. You will regret it otherwise.

Original poster
MunsteadWood · 28/02/2023 21:14

Thanks for the replies! @acuppatea does your built in combi oven/microwave thingy have a grill too? Have you been pleased with it?

OP posts:
acuppatea · 28/02/2023 21:17

Yeah it has a grill too. Really pleased with it. We only use it as an oven occasionally (roast dinners or if we have people round) but use the microwave function every day

Northernlurker · 28/02/2023 21:19

We've gone for one oven and then a built in combi microwave and oven. I don't think I will use the second oven much but it does have a plate warning function. The thought of getting that worktop space back is exciting!

TrashyPanda · 28/02/2023 21:21

winelove · 28/02/2023 21:05

Two built in ovens and a built in microwave. You will regret it otherwise.

Totally agree. That’s what I’ve got too

double oven, with drawer below, combi microwave on top of oven and cupboard on top of that.

worth every penny.

StrawHatOnTheParcelShelf · 28/02/2023 21:27

Nooo, don't ruin your new and lovingly designed kitchen with a crappy old microwave on the worktop!

As to whether you have a built in microwave only or a combi, that will depend on how much you use your oven now. I barely use mine at all, we are air fryer converts.

Original poster
MunsteadWood · 28/02/2023 21:34

For the last three years we've lived with just a single oven and it's been fine. Kitchen very old and our top oven has never worked, so we've not even had a grill. I'd like a separate grill but not sure we'd use two ovens enough to justify that and a built in microwave.

I think I agree with you though @StrawHatOnTheParcelShelf about not wanting the ruin the lovely new worktop with our scuzzy old microwave...

DH makes me feel silly about this because it does seem to add a good £500+ to the total bill, but...

OP posts:
Original poster
MunsteadWood · 28/02/2023 21:37

I think a decent single oven and a good built in microwave / grill / oven combi is probably the right answer for us... but how to choose? Those who've got one... any model/brand recommendations?

OP posts:
NothankyouNigel · 28/02/2023 21:54

My combi microwave/grill/ oven is rubbish and is now a glorified ovenware store. I had to buy a regular microwave and toaster and lost a decent chunk of counter space. AEG. Sorry OP for any bubble bursting. If I could, I would have single oven, built in microwave and counter top air fryer.

Original poster
MunsteadWood · 28/02/2023 21:59

Oh gosh it's such a minefield!

OP posts:
Original poster
MunsteadWood · 28/02/2023 22:02

I've come across a combi microwave / grill (Bosch) which looks quite good... We've never had a second oven and maybe don't really need one except that I think it'd be nice to be able to grill eg sausages at the same time as using the oven eg chips. So maybe a single oven plus built in microwave / grill would be fine?? But how do I know which will be any good??

OP posts:
gogohmm · 28/02/2023 22:02

Don't get a single oven if you ever cook for more than 2 or 3. It's so hard juggling pans! I'm about to redesign my kitchen to get a bigger stove. If the microwave is tatty replace it, they are pretty cheap, cheaper than built in ones

Original poster
MunsteadWood · 28/02/2023 22:03

Ahhh... that's a suggestion I hadn't thought of. Stick with a countertop microwave, but upgrade to a smarter one...?

OP posts:
doodleygirl · 28/02/2023 22:05

2 single ovens and microwave, especially if you have lots of people for dinners/parties etc

Original poster
MunsteadWood · 28/02/2023 22:06

And in fairness actually our current kitchen (well, former kitchen, it's now in a skip outside!) was so horrible we never had people round to eat. We'll probably do that much more once we've got our new one in. So although we've not really needed a top oven before (because we've basically just been cooking for us - me, DH and two small DCs) maybe we will do in future...

OP posts:
SleeplessWB · 28/02/2023 22:09

MunsteadWood · 28/02/2023 21:37

I think a decent single oven and a good built in microwave / grill / oven combi is probably the right answer for us... but how to choose? Those who've got one... any model/brand recommendations?

I have a Bosch combo oven/grill/micro with another over below. Works really well for us. Had it about 4 years.

RosamundAtherton · 28/02/2023 22:13

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at poster's request

Thewindsofchange · 28/02/2023 22:21

I never got the hang of combi microwaves. From what I hear build in ones can be a nightmare when they go wrong as you have to replace them with another in built one which is expensive.

We went for two single ovens (hide and slide, which work really well were we have them) and then bought a new, small microwave to fit in an otherwise hard to use space.

catherinewales · 28/02/2023 22:37

Great question. I'm just designing my kitchen. Agreed a price with wren but just seen the price of the Bosch combi. I'm thinking am I better with a double oven. It'll definitely be cheaper.

VanGoghsDog · 28/02/2023 23:08

MunsteadWood · 28/02/2023 21:34

For the last three years we've lived with just a single oven and it's been fine. Kitchen very old and our top oven has never worked, so we've not even had a grill. I'd like a separate grill but not sure we'd use two ovens enough to justify that and a built in microwave.

I think I agree with you though @StrawHatOnTheParcelShelf about not wanting the ruin the lovely new worktop with our scuzzy old microwave...

DH makes me feel silly about this because it does seem to add a good £500+ to the total bill, but...

Just buy a new basic microwave for £70 then?

I have a double oven and my plain mw is in a cupboard, not built in. I use both ovens, rarely together though - except last week I grilled gammon steaks on the top while oven chips cooked below. Did baked beans on the hob. A power hungry meal that one!

I warn plates with hot water from the kettle so a plate warming function would not appeal to me.

SunnyUpNorth · 28/02/2023 23:38

We did our kitchen last year. I was going to go for a single oven and a combi but decided on two full size single ovens. I LOVE them. I don’t use the second one that often but when I do it’s invaluable. We got the neff slide n hide ones, think the N70 model. So happy with them. We do have a larder unit that we could put the microwave in though. I’d prob just buy a new microwave for the counter, you can get really stylish ones now.

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 28/02/2023 23:43

I have a Panasonic combi with convection oven ( actually on my fourth in thirty years). We have it ‘built in’ in that it sits in an open cupboard under the built in oven. We have allowed the space surrounding it as detailed in the brochure plus a few inches above for luck. I have done this with three of them so far, it works really well. We actually use the convection function all the time, it is much more economical than the big oven and you can get in a whole chicken, for example, without a problem.

Cantstandbullshitanymore · 01/03/2023 02:31

We went from a double oven to a single oven when we remodeled our kitchen and we have been fine despite the fact we bake a lot.

To avoid having a microwave on the countertop you can buy a mounted microwave which is cheaper than the microwave combo and install it on top of the oven with a trim kit to cover the edges so it looks like a combo but it’s not.

The advantage is you get the look for cheaper and free up countertop space and also repairs are cheaper as you it’s expensive to repair or replace a microwave oven combo.

here’s a pic of what I mean, too lazy to go downstairs and take a proper pic from the front.

Do I need a double oven? Or a single with microwave combi?
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