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Tell me about microwave convection ovens
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Posted by peace_rose (My Page) on Tue, Nov 3, 09 at 14:39
| We are in the midst of a kitchen addition. Our new kitchen will incorporate a 1954 O'Keefe and Merritt range with a chrome top. Really cool looking! The stove has one oven on the right that is narrow. It will probably be enough for everyday usage, but I'm worried that I won't be able to fit the proverbial turkey AND stuffing when the holidays roll around.
I don't have room for a regular wall oven (or rather I don't want to interrupt the flow and don't have many wall cabinets anyway), so I'm considering a Microwave/Convection Combo placed under the counter. I'm wondering if microwave/convection ovens are practical - I'm guessing we would use it 75% for microwaving and 25% for the baked goods that won't fit in the vintage oven. Tight budget is a consideration - so I'm not looking for suggestions of luxury appliances, but I would consider spending a few hundred bucks if it seems like a good investment/use of our space. I'm thinking of something like this (because I found a used one on Craigslist): http://products.geappliances.com/ApplProducts/Dispatcher?REQUEST=SpecPage&Sku=JVM1190CB .
Basically, it needs to serve the function of microwaving most of the time, but still needs to be large enough inside for baking cookies and cakes. If there's a certain make or model you like, please do tell! This whole world of microwave/convection is a completely new concept for me, so I'm all ears. Thanks so much! |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Tell me about microwave convection ovens
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| I have a fairly large mw/convect oven but their is no way I'd bake cookies in it. A cookie sheet would never fit in there. I suppose you could bake a cake. I use mine more as a glorified toaster oven to make pizza rolls and hot pretzels for my kids after school! |
RE: Tell me about microwave convection ovens
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| Hmmm, so I take it that my plan to use the convection as a back-up oven for holiday baking isn't so realistic? Does anyone have a different experience? |
RE: Tell me about microwave convection ovens
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| Back up would have to be a side dish or rolls for example. I think mine fits a 9 x 13 dish. I haven't used mine much but I tried to put a small cookie sheet in there with frozen french fries tonight. No go. On the other hand, DS said the fries were good! |
RE: Tell me about microwave convection ovens
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| how about using a pizza pan for the cookies, ffs etc? several here w/the micro/convection ovens do bake cookies, brownies etc in them. |
RE: Tell me about microwave convection ovens
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| We have a Sharp 930 and while it has a fairly large footprint it does baking tasks surprisingly well. We were planning on using it similarly to your plans, but it does much more: cookies, chicken pieces, potatoes, even popovers. The dual mode works pretty well with some baking tasks. It may be a little more than you want to pay, but I'd give it a look (was around $430 5 years ago). |
RE: Tell me about microwave convection ovens
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| Frankly I would never use it to cook any kind of meat -- the splattering would make such a mess and the oven cavity is a PIA to clean as it is. Mine can fit a 9x13 as long as the turntable is disabled. It is ok for heating casseroles. I do convection bake on my pizza pan that has tiny holes in it. It helps with air circulation. |
RE: Tell me about microwave convection ovens
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| Hardly the same thing, but we use one of the $150 Krups "toaster ovens" (which has a fan, which these days, I guess lets them call anything a "convection oven") to bake potatoes, a handful of cookies, or the like. It isn't cavernous, but will handle 10"x10" comfortably. It looks like the FBC2, though I can't easliy check our model number. |
RE: Tell me about microwave convection ovens
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| I have a Sears Kenmore Elite MW/Convection. It is big enough for a 9x9 or a 7 x 11, or a pizza. I do use it for cookies (small batches), I use it for pizza, roasting veggies (which I do alot of), baking potatoes (not nuking, baking). We love it. The Sears model has not gotten rave reviews, but we really like ours thus far (~3 years). I am getting a new GE induction range next week! But know that I will continue to use the Sears in the same way I do now -- it's just way too handy, not having to heat up a big oven for a smaller pan of whatever. |
RE: Tell me about microwave convection ovens
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| "I do convection bake on my pizza pan that has tiny holes in it. It helps with air circulation." would that be the thing to use for fries, cookies etc? I don't have a pizza pan so I'd have to get one... that's the thing with a regular oven vs one of these small ones - as a single person who seldom cooks I think it's just a waste of money and energy to get and use a big oven. and a waste of cabinet space - a major concern. I might use the little one I have 2 or 3 times a month. it's just an oven. no convection. no micro with it. and old. and the top element always comes on (i've tried it on bake and another option it has) - either way the upper element is on and things tend to burn on top. |
sharp 930
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| teachmkt - is this the one you have? see link below if so, how is it to clean? it isn't the one that was catching fire the other yr, is it? are the controls easy to set / use? |
Here is a link that might be useful: sharp 960
RE: Tell me about microwave convection ovens
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teachmkt I'd like to know, too!
I'm also wondering about the venting. Some of the micro/convection combos I've seen are for over the range. I MUST locate mine under the counter. Can the OTR models be used under the counter as well? Do micro/convection combos need to be vented? I'm sooooo in the dark on this one! Please enlighten me! And for electrical hookup - do micro/convection combos need any special hookups? |
RE: Tell me about microwave convection ovens
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| I have the Sharp countertop convection/mw. It vents out the back. It uses standard 120v power. I bet you can use an OTR under thecounter since it will vent out the front. But of course you lose the lights and the exhaust fan. There are drawer microwaves out there, but I don't know about convection. |
RE: Tell me about microwave convection ovens
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| On link: Yes, that's it although our keypad is a little different and front is SS. Ours is 5 years old. Easy to clean?: Yes, mostly just wiping up spills, very occasionally a SS scrubbie and barkeepers friend. Interior is SS. Some creative use of aluminum foil helps keep down any mess. We do stuff like chicken breasts with the skin on, meatloaf as well as baking. Catching on fire: Not yet, hope that trend continues. Don't know anything about this. Controls: Pretty intuitive, but probably best to surrender and read manual. You can do some pretty tricky stuff with the dual convec/micro modes. A few quirks like micro popcorn needs to be done on inverted class pie pan. Venting: No special venting. Ours has about 1/4" clearance on sides and maybe an inch on the top with a shelf mount set into upper 13" custom cabinets, and has cabinet above. No problems, and we have painted cabinets. Power: Ours is on a restricted but not dedicated line. No problems yet. OTR under counter: Don't understand why you want to do that given the 930. |
RE: Tell me about microwave convection ovens
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| thx so much for the info teachmkt! will save it in case that is the one I end up getting. that'll make 3 options in a micro/conv oven for me. I think that about does away with the idea of having to go the regular oven route!! (yeah!) having SS in a micro still freaks me out! after yrs of no tin foil etc in a micro. just doesn't seem right... not sure if whatever oven will end up on counter or on a shelf under an upper cab. will mock them up and 'live' with them a bit after i move in and see what seems will work the best. I'll be keeping my reg microwave at least until it dies. so this will mostly be for oven/conv cooking/baking. there is already a socket where I'm planning for it to be that can be dedicated. (has micro cab/shelf there now) as for manual - what I've done in the past is copy out / enlarged the most needed info pages and put in a binder close to the 'oven'. easy to grab and look up most used directions that way - even w/o my glasses on! cookies, meatloaf, chicken, fries? then I'm good! lol! looks like it'll be between the sharp and panasonic - both good names - I've had micros by both that were great. and there is a ge that could work. the turntable is a bit smaller tho. and I'm not real fond of ge products. but i'll keep it on the list. when the time gets closer (I'm at least living there) I'll go out and check the 3 out in real and see what I think of each of them. and what the local prices are - and if any are on sale. |
RE: Tell me about microwave convection ovens
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| desertsteph, can you tell us which Panasonic and GE models you're also considering? (I'm not sure if you mentioned it above already or not). For me the most important factor is interior size - am I correct to gather that the Sharp 930 has the biggest turntable? |
RE: Tell me about microwave convection ovens
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I've had a panasonic microwave convection for about 5 years now, it was a back up oven for my 1951 GE range. I use it as an oven at least 6-7 times a week. I bake biscuits every couple of days, baked potatoes, oven roasted vegetables, small cakes & desserts, hot dips for company. My new stove is a huge Electrolux so I find for the two of us I can fit an entire oven dinner in the panasonic. It was expensive but I use it a lot & it's great in the summer, doesn't heat up your entire kitchen.
I bought a couple of smaller sheets that fit in it perfectly. |
RE: Tell me about microwave convection ovens
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| yes, the sharp turntable is larger than the panasonic by just under half an inch...both have been given good reviews here and both sound like they work great at just what i need them for! So for me I think it'll come down to how i like them in real, the ease of using (keypads/dials etc) and price I can get. ease of cleaning them is important also. the ge seems to be nice also and I'd love the bisque but the turntable is enough smaller to make a big difference i think. I look for the info under 'specifications' to check voltage needed, size - outside and inside etc. all 3 of these are 120V. that is good! and I think all 3 of these can be countertop ovens too. I'd rather not have to build it in. more expense and if it goes bad more hassle and possible wrong size opening for another one.
GE - GE Profile PEB1590 1.5 CU. FT. Countertop Convection Microwave Oven
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02073544000P?vName=Appliances&cName=SmallKitchenAppliances&sName=Countertop Microwaves&psid=FROOGLE01&sid=IDx20070921x00003a cavity - 15-1/4 in. W x 10-7/8 in. H x 15-1/4 in. D Turntable Diameter: 12-3/4"
_____________ Panasonic -Genius Prestige Convection Microwave Oven NN-C994S http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/shop/Home-Appliances/Microwave-Ovens/Prestige-Countertop/Built-In-Microwaves/model.NN-C994S.S_11002_7000000000000005702#tabsection Cavity - (HxWxD) inches 9 1/2 x 16 1/4 x 16 3/16
turntable 15" ___________ and the Sharp listed here the Sharp does have the largest turntable @ 15.375"
cavity - 16.125" W x 9.675" H x 16.125" D |
Here is a link that might be useful: Sharp oven
RE: Tell me about microwave convection ovens
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| Funny you should ask, because I was just saying to my husband that our GE Profile microwave convection oven is my favorite kitchen appliance. And I use the oven feature often. In fact, it has become my main oven (there is just the two of us) since my 22 year old gas Caloric range isn't all that great in the oven department. The other day I used it to bake corn bread in a small iron skillet in it and it came out great. A round pizza pan works great as a baking sheet for cookies, rolls, bisquits, etc. I roast with it too. We just finished building our retirement home (although we are there only on weekends for now) and we have a GE Advantium 120 and I have to say, I like the microwave convection oven better! As far as cleaning is concerned, I think that they are easy to clean. No worse than any microwave. |
RE: Tell me about microwave convection ovens
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| chickadeead - glad you posted about it! that's good to know. I do like the outside looks of the GE better. It's good to know someone else is using one of those small ovens as their regular one. it makes me feel much better about my decision. I so hate the idea of giving up any cabinet space for a regular oven if i can do without one. I think I've only used my little oven once in the last month (it's inside is about the size of the ge). plus the thought of heating up a big one for my small meatloaf (1/2 lb grnd meat) or 2 chicken breasts. Good to know it is also fairly easy to clean. easy to use and clean are my main goals in this! i saw a 13" and a 15" (I think 15) pizza pan at the local grocery - both on sale. good prices! almost bought one but then figured if I ended up with the ge neither would fit in it and I'd have to give it to my sister. so decided to wait. are the pizza pans with holes in them the ones to buy? both of these had holes on the bottom. is it ok to bake cookies on one with holes on the bottom? |
RE: Tell me about microwave convection ovens
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| Desertsteph, the pizza pan that I use doesn't have holes in the bottom, so I'm not sure how cookies would turn out if you used one. Hopefully, someone else will know. |
RE: Tell me about microwave convection ovens
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| -thx chickadeead! maybe someone here has tried it and will post. I also read in the ge 'cookbook' that cookies should be baked on a shiny aluminum pan and breads (crust) on a dark dull one. If that is so, then i'd need 2 of them anyway! I'll have to post a chart in the kitchen to remember this stuff! |
RE: Tell me about microwave convection ovens
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| I too am loooking at the micro/convection oven. I have a toaster/convection oven by Oster. We bought it for the toaster and didn't think we'd use the convection part, but I find that we use it almost exclusively. With our kitchen renov, we plan to remove almost everything off the countertop. Mico and toaster oven both have to go. If I can get a combo of both, I think it will be my go-to appliance! BTW, I own a pampered chef small stoneware pan that is perfect for my toaster/conv oven. It bakes well, cookies, rolls, whatever. And, no metal in the micro! ...in case I hit the wrong button accidentally :-) |
RE: Tell me about microwave convection ovens
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| "in case I hit the wrong button accidentally" that's my fear! |
RE: Tell me about microwave convection ovens
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| Kathy, thanks for mentioning about the pampered chef stoneware; I was wondering if it's possible to use it because I own a lot of it. Glad to hear it works well in the convection! I ended up purchasing a Sharp 960 - thanks to the feedback in this thread. Still haven't used it yet though. But I'm impressed by how spacious it is inside. |
RE: Tell me about microwave convection ovens
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| kathy - what pan do you use? I looked some up on their site. I wish they had a smaller round one. the one they have might be possible depending on which I end up getting I guess. |
RE: Tell me about microwave convection ovens
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| Peace-rose - I don't see a 960 on the sharp website. was that a typo or maybe it's a discontinued model? desertsteph - I use the small bar pan #1448. I think the medium bar pan would fit most micro/convections, too, and you could cook more than six cookies at a time. It's just the two of us in the house, now, so the fewer cookies I bake at a time, the better! I bought the pan on ebay. There's lots of PC stuff listed, but make sure you check the shipping charge or you could wind up paying more than you would at a PC party. |
RE: Tell me about microwave convection ovens
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| When I had one oven, I had small micro/conv oven and loved it for holidays. I would cook a small 2nd roast or side dishes. Mine had a probe which was great-absolutely no concern about knowing when something was done (smaller ovens and convection really change times and temp). I never baked in it. Micorwave worked just ok, but I really don't use microwave much so that was fine. |
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