This is very interesting as I was thinking of a single wall oven plus a convection microwave as a second oven. We have a regular microwave as well. I really want the second oven for pies, keeping things warm etc but don't need 2 full size ovens as in a double wall oven. Consumer reports didn't seem to think much of the convection microwaves so that put me off. The microwave ovens would be on opposite sides of the kitchen which has some advantage. Any comments?

It's trade-off between the functionality of convection vs. a small amount of noise. I love having a convection oven and don't mind the noise of that fan or the cooling fan on my range. My hood is noisy on high but I don't usually need to keep it on high. I guess I'm really surprised these days how hung up people get about noise from appliances - hoods, ranges, dishwashers, even refrigerators. I think we're all getting spoiled. I'm thrilled with how quiet my KA DW is compared to my old Whirlpool (which never bothered me that much), but some people need to have them silent. The noise only exists while the appliances are actually in use. I've been lucky with the reliability of my new appliances - 5 years with hardly any problems - but I'd trade noise for reliability any day!

The convection steam oven can be used just like a normal convection oven though it heats up much quicker. With our family of four we use it the most of all the oven's (have a 30" Wolf below it and a 36" BS range). Almost anything we do for a dinner can be done in the steam oven rather than heating up and dirtying one of the larger ovens. It roasts meat and chickens the best of any oven using convection humid mode. Bakes bread excellent except for high heat baking (only goes to 445), use it for cookies, dutch/german pancakes, makes an excellent crust on any food. Don't get caught up in the 'steamed food' mindset, it's all convection oven when you want it to be. We do use the steam mode for veggies (we'll never micro them again), sometimes fish, though I do prefer fish baked or fried. It makes excellent rice and I've even done pasta in it (though not as handy as I like checking pasta in a pan for perfect doneness). It's the only way we make rice now. I've made custards in it, works great, no water bath. Reheating food is great, again no more micro for that. There are a lot of modes that make food more convenient to prepare. My DW likes to make hard boiled eggs in it (obviously not boiled), she just leaves them in the paper carton and steams them, got to be careful taking them out if not on a cookie sheet as the paper gets pretty limp. I made brown sugar (turbinado) bacon in it last weekend and it turned out awesome, nice and crisp in about 25 minutes. Like I mentioned we use it a LOT. It's a bit pricey for a rice cooker, or a micro replacement but for all the other things it does I would lose my 30" Wolf over the steam oven anyday of the week. For me the only limitation is the heat range as max is 445 but I do make cast iron pan pizza in it and it turns out wonderful. For normal pizza I crank the BS to 'beyond' 500, some breads want a higher heat. It doesn't have a broiler so having at least one oven with one works great. I have the Wolf CSO so do fill the water reservoir manually but that's maybe twice a week at the most and takes all of a minute. We've had ours over 2 years and still haven't used it to it's full potential. Once you get it you'll understand how great it is, it will inspire you to cook differently and more conveniently with better results over a std oven or microwave. IMO there s/b one in every kitchen, it's more of a workhorse than any other appliance.

I was set on all Wolf cooking for our kitchen renovation--a 48" range top with grill and griddle and the Wolf single convection oven (M Series), and the Wolf convection steam oven. I'm considering Miele instead for a couple of reasons--the oven has a rotisserie and the steam oven is both plumbed and has a broiler. Thermador will be coming out with a 48" range top with grill and griddle option later this fall, and their oven also has a rotisserie. If I don't go with Wolf, I won't be able to take advantage of any of their promotions. I'm not sure how I'll like the look of the Miele and Thermador ovens to the right of the Subzero 36" separate freezer and fridge fridges (stainless with transitional handle). I'm out of space to panel the refrigerators--I don't have an inch to spare for the overlay. I could step down to 24" convection oven with Miele, but I'd prefer not to. Any recommendations?