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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:

DianasTeacup · 01/03/2023 08:50

We went from a double to built in single and combi micro (we're a family of 5) . Really handy when you're only cooking a little eg. a banana loaf, bacon, freezer bits for just 2 etc, saves heating the big oven. Wouldn't go back and had no problems cooking a big Xmas dinner for 12 using the single & combi.

I like my counters as clear as possible though so any microwave on the counter would be a no from me.

LonelyBones · 01/03/2023 08:54

I have a Siemens oven and combi oven/microwave. The oven is amazing! Has a grilling/grill in it too as well as self cleaning. BUT, the combi microwave oven is an absolute bugger to clean because the element is at the top of the appliance, so you need to be strict about using microwave covers on your food otherwise its a PITA to clean......

caramac04 · 01/03/2023 08:58

I chose a neff single oven with an microwave/combi oven which has worked really well. However, I wish I’d had an extra oven as I quite often have both ovens in use but want the microwave to heat peas/beans/plates - especially plates which are stone cold in the cupboard.
OTOH, I have since bought a couple of ninjas, a multi cooker and a dual air fryer which I love but they take up too much worktop and my kitchen looks cluttered.
Honestly, the more that is built in the better, clearer and cleaner looking.
If you can afford it, a double oven and a built in microwave combi is the best. Also, you don’t have to buy top end ovens, a mid range double is better than a top range single.

prescribingmum · 01/03/2023 09:01

Definitely a combi micro/oven/grill. I also winced at the price compared to a regular countertop micro but when spending that much on a brand new kitchen, I didn’t want a counter top microwave in it at all.

I absolutely love the combi, makes baked potatoes in 15mins with perfect crispy skins and multitude of other functions I never realised would be so helpful. Would definitely recommend

Anotherusernamethisweek · 01/03/2023 10:38

We've literally just had the same conversation. We've gone for 2 single ovens. And I will put the microwave in the utility room. We only use it for warming bottles.

VanGoghsDog · 01/03/2023 10:57

MunsteadWood · 01/03/2023 07:43

Many thanks, lots of great ideas. I think I'm going to phone our contact at Howdens and see what she suggests. The microwave in a cupboard is a good idea. I'd thought you couldn't do that because of ventilation but worth exploring. If we can hide existing microwave in a cupboard that'd solve the problem I think, and maybe I can upgrade to a smarter one in a year or two to stagger the cost.

The cupboard mine is in is quite roomy for the mw, plus has a shelf underneath the one the mw sits on. I also obviously leave the door open when it's in use.

The cupboard already had a socket at the back so I assume that was how the people before me did it too.

RedRiverShore3 · 01/03/2023 11:35

I would get a new countertop microwave but then I don't like microwaves with no countertop near them as they are a bit unpredictable with heating some things and can be dangerous. We have a built in one in our caravan and I am very wary of it.

Sanch1 · 01/03/2023 11:35

Do you have a utility? We have two double ovens and have our microwave on the side in the utility. We rarely use it so it's not a problem popping in there for it and it keeps our nice kitchen clutter free.

Original poster

MunsteadWood · 01/03/2023 13:34

We don't have a utility @Sanch1. Nowhere else really that a microwave could go as it's going to be a long thin galley style kitchen with dining room at the end.

I don't think we'd get enough use out of a double oven to justify buying one of those AND a built in microwave (esp because current microwave works perfectly well, it's just not as shiny and new as the kitchen will be)

So I think probably the options are:

Splash out and get the single oven plus combi
Get a regular double oven and upgrade counter top microwave, either now or later
Get a regular double oven and keep current microwave, but try and hide it in a cupboard or something

OP posts:

LindaDawn · 29/05/2023 08:29

MunsteadWood
May I ask weather you went with a single oven and a microwave/oven/grill combo in the end. I have the same situation as you and can’t decide.

Baxdream · 29/05/2023 08:31

We had the neff oven and microwave oven at our old house. The microwave wasn't worth it in my opinion.
This time I got two single ovens and then a larder unit with our old microwave hidden inside. Very happy with our design

fuckmyuteruslining · 29/05/2023 10:10

I have Neff hide n slide and a combi oven and microwave, absolutely bloody love it tbh. Microwave well worth it

crumpet · 29/05/2023 10:14

Don’t have a microwave on the counter if you have the ability to have one built in. You’ll look at it for years wishing you’d done it. Over 10 years that extra £500 will come out to 7or 8 p a day.

CasperGutman · 30/05/2023 05:51

Ndd135632 · 01/03/2023 08:23

@TheDogsMother ah that’s the one I had. I could never figure out why the combi had so many more ‘oven’ functions than the single oven and also why it could be heated to a hotter termperature (250) than the single oven (200).

I think the issue there is with the specific oven you own, not a generally applicable oven vs. combi thing. Our single oven has six different settings (we never use most of them) and temperatures up to 270⁰C.

I wouldn't buy an oven that only allowed temperatures up to 200⁰C - that sounds a bit useless to be honest!

Original poster

MunsteadWood · 30/05/2023 07:48

@LindaDawn so I agonised over this for ages but in the end we decided to stick with old microwave.

It's actually fine. The microwave is a good one, and looks smart enough. I don't hate it on the worktop, and it feels better than buying a new one basically just for the aesthetic.

A contributing factor for me though is that we've got LOTS of worktop space in the kitchen, so I felt I could spare worktop space more easily than the cupboard space it would take to get one built in. I'd feel differently if worktop space was more limited.

And, aside from the cost, I was put off the idea of a combi because I realised I wouldn't be able to use grill and microwave at the same time (useful for eg cooked breakfast - bacon / beans etc).

I'm sure built in would look neater, but I'm happy with our decision.

OP posts:

ManicMonday007 · 30/05/2023 08:45

We have just been having this exact same battle of what to do. We went from single with combi, 1 double and normal microwave, 2 singles, now we are set on 1 single and our old microwave in utility. The single oven is actually bigger than a double and we ha e an air fryer so thought I won't use the 2 single ovens. Feel better now hahaha.

DiscoBeat · 30/05/2023 08:56

I would go for built in double plus the combo microwave. We use all of these a lot, and the combi oven is useful by itself for the times just one teen wants one thing cooked, or for warming plates or anything! And off the counter is useful!

TrishTrix · 30/05/2023 21:10

Can you put the tatty microwave in a utility room!

I've got a microwave combi and it's invaluable for hosting large roast dinner type affairs. Rest of the time it just nukes food.

LindaDawn · 31/05/2023 08:49

Thanks for all your replies. Think I have decided to just get a double oven and keep our microwave either on the worktop, in our utility room or on a shelf in our larder. Don’t have tons of workspace but have enough, just need to be a tidier cook, but think I will have plenty of cupboard space. Just don’t want to add to landfill with dumping our microwave (although there is freecycle) and not sure I like multi tasking appliances. Now I need to decide on if I want integrated dish washer!! Never ending decisions!!

LindaDawn · 31/05/2023 08:51

ManicMonday007
Reading your post, I am wondering what you are using for a grill if you are only having a single oven? Apologies if it is obvious (but not to me).

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