Kitchenaid convection microwave?

13 years ago

Hi all,

We are trying to match a microwave to our existing appliances and a new wolf range. The kitchenaid built in convection microwave. with the drop down door, looks best to us in the matching area.

Anyone have experience with this product? We have a very old built in kitchenaid which has been fabulous in every regard. Have heard their newer microwave products might not be as realiable?

Love to hear microwave recommendations!

Thanks, Kim

Featured Answer

thynes1501

13 years ago

We have the built-in KA convection microwave with drop door, mounted undercounter. A 240V installation, it has a broiling element on top, a hidden convection element in back, and a convection fan.

In addition to standard microwaving, it has a number of other features such as crisping using the broil element and microwaves, steaming using the supplied steam vessel with microwaves, and straight up convection cooking with the broil element, convection element, and convection fan.

Since we have a double convection wall oven as well, we use this appliance only as a standard microwave. I have tested the convection cooking feature and it does a nice job. It could be used as an additional half-sized convection oven if needed. Sadly, it is not a true speed oven as it does not combine microwaves with convection cooking.

WRT cooling down, the complaints that I read here centered around fan noise while cooling. I seem to recall the statement about not being able to use it while cooling, but I thought that claim had been debunked. Now that I actually own one, a few observations: 1) If the microwave has been used for more than a few minutes, it will run a fan for a few minutes while cooling down, 2) the appliance can be used while the cooldown fan is running, 3) the cooling time remaining counts down on the display (a nice feature I think), and 4) in my opinion the fan noise is not excessive (just a little louder than the cooling fan on our Miele ovens).

Our kitchen design led us to an undercounter installation. We considered the Sharp drawer MW, this KA, and the Miele speed oven. The new deeper design Sharp is not available in Canada and the nearest dealer was 3 provinces away (we are as far east as you can go in North America!), so that was ruled out. The Miele looked awesome and would have complemented our ovens, but we couldn't justify the extra cost at the time. The KA matched two Architect II refrigerators along the same wall, so we went with it. We're pretty pleased with our choice, however I would install it beneath a raised counter (40" to 42") if I were to do it again. I'm 6'4" so it's quite low for me, however my wife and our little girl find the height to be fine.

If you have any further questions, feel free to ask!

Comments (9)

sayde
13 years ago
Do a search, of course. I seem to remember at least one post that said that the KA convection microwave would stop in order to cool down before letting the user proceed with the next operation. There was one woman who wrote something about her kids crying for dinner while she stood in front of the unit fanning it to try to make it cool down faster so she could use it. The image stuck in my memory. It's in these threads somewhere.
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khuselid
Original Author
13 years ago
Wow! Thanks for taking the time to be so helpful! We have a very old kitchenaid microwave/regular oven combo which has been great. It's 20 years old! That one does have the microwave convection option which we understand this new one doesn't
We are matching this to a wolf range and kitchenaid DW. We'll be installing it higher than you did! Also don't want to spend the 3000. of other options.

So thanks again. So helpful!!

k
SadieV
12 years ago
I'm looking at the Kitchenaid micro/convection combination --- any updates to this? I currently have the GE Advantium and like it a lot, but with a remodel project in my near future, I'm looking for a replacement.

Any comments?
powertoolpatriot
12 years ago
Sadie and khuselid,
If you would like some technical data, email me.
andee_gw
12 years ago
Ditto to everything thynes said above. My only complaint is that the turntable rotates when it is used in convection oven mode, and so that limits the size of pan you can use. Otherwise, we love it.
chas045
12 years ago
andee: I have this unit in a double oven. I almost always forget, but under 'options' there is a way to turn off the turntable.

But SadieV: as thynes said "Sadly, it is not a true speed oven as it does not combine microwaves with convection cooking". I was really ticked off because I thought I was getting that feature. But it sure bakes like a real oven.

I like the unit because it heats fast and saves energy. Of course, this can tie up the microwave so I have to go to the garage for the backup microwave when the coffee is cold.
Bella Vita
6 years ago
Hi thynes1501, thanks so much for your detailed review of your kitchenmaid microwave convection oven. I am wondering now that you have had it for several years if you have had any issues with it and if it is still serving you well? Thx
chas045
6 years ago
Well, I'm not thynes and this was a thread from 2011, but as mentioned above, I have the same unit, and unlike thynes, I actually use mine with most functions all the time rather than just for testing. Mine was new in mid 2007. It has not failed nor had any problems. It really can be used as almost a conventional oven except that the convection will be running. I bake single loaves of bread in it all the time and I can bake a good pie or casserole in it. One can get cute and bake a potato for awhile and finish with microwaves in the now plenty hot oven, but as said above is not a speed oven because microwaves can't be used at the same time. And then, you would likely melt some plastic if you expected to immediately use it to microwave leftovers in a plastic tub.

The 'broiler' that thynes mentioned is some kind of ceramic heater and does seem to help with browning over time, but certainly couldn't be used for normal broiling functions.

In any case, it is a great small oven that heats up quickly and therefore very useful, and more used than the large oven, and of course is a regular microwave in all respects but one. As a heated oven, it is walled with stainless rather than plastic and therefore harder to clean.