My cooking patterns are like yours and I installed a Sharp conv/mw over a Miele oven. Perfect! The Sharp operates as a mw or convec oven independently or in combination. It also looks fabulous with the Miele. The convec/mw is much less expensive than the second full-size oven. The only downside is my Sharp does not accomodate a 9x13 pan, but perhaps there are other models that do. The convec mode of the oven works just as well as a regular oven and keeps the kitchen much cooler.

Shortycakes, which model # is your Sharp?

R930CS. And it looks as sleek as it does in the photo. Should blend well with any SS wall oven you choose.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sharp Convection Microwave Oven

shortycake, thank you. I had planned on getting that model and I'm dismayed to hear that a 9 x 13 pan won't fit with the interior as big a Sharp lists on those specs. Do you mean it will fit inside but won't rotate? This sounds like a deal breaker to me. We also will only have one full size oven and if my 9 x 13 pan won't rotate in that oven it will really make it must less useful. I picked this model because I saw specs saying the turntable was 14" in diameter but I can't find that anymore in my file. I guess I'll have to go with my y alternative pick, the Panasonic C994S convection/microwave.

Way back in the dark ages of 1990, when we remodeled our kitchen we installed then "state-of-the-art" (hah!) Thermador double ovens. One of the ovens cooks via three methods or any combination thereof: conventionally, microwave,and/or convection. It has worked out very well for us. I'll probably go down the same road whenver we remodel this kitchen, although I am concerned that microwave don't seem to be lasting as long as they used to. We've gotten almost 20 years of service from this one! I dread its death because it will likely necessitate cabinetry changes.

Having lived with this longer that probably anyone who has replied thus far, I can say, yes, you'll like it. BTW, since there are only two of us, we are frequent "reheat-ers" and the microwave function gets a heavy workout. But it's nice to have the flexibility to use this oven as a tradional one when I need one.

Hope this helps.

nclakehouse
Thanks for your input. We are also frequent reheaters, so I just wanted to make sure that the microwave component actually really works as a microwave.

You should do just fine with the Panasonic. My last microwave was a Panasonic and was excellent. The sharp turntable rotates no matter what type of cooking is being done so for all intents and purposes, the 13x9 pan doesn't work. I would have liked the option to have that flexibility, but DH did not like the aesthetics of the Panasonic built-in over the Miele. Sytlewise they did not compliment each other. I didn't care as I hardly used that size dish in the old Panasonic which was quite spacious. Good luck, it's a great combo and you won't regret it.

Due to space constraints, I went with a 27" GE Profile Convection oven paired with the GE Advantium 120 micro/speedcook/convection oven combo. And it works great!
I was concerned I would regret not getting a second wall oven plus microwave, plus, I was concerned going 27" and not 30".... but, no worries, after 18 months, I can assure you I have no regrets for my busy family of four.

The Advantium is a godsend, and definitely the workhorse of the kitchen - my very favorite appliance. It bakes, microwaves, speedcooks, warms, proofs, it does EVERYTHING! As for cooktop, I went GE Profile Induction (frameless) and couldn't be more thrilled with that choice. The Induction is not only a joy to cook on, it's an even greater joy when it comes to cleanup.... if you're not considering induction, stop and reconsider....read some posts here to see why it's so terrific. And since it cools so quickly, it adds extra counterspace within a couple minutes.

Good Luck!

Valleigh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hijack your thread but it seems that I did. Your question is a good one and your cooking habits are the same as mine also. In addition we live in Florida and grill outside year round which also lessens the need for the second oven. As you have found out KD's seem to not like microwaves that sit on the counter and that can eat up valuable space. But I've also heard KD's object to refrigerators anything that isn't built in since it interrupts the "designed" look of the kitchen.

Here are a few of my considerations in choosing which convection/microwave to use as my second over. 1. It had to at least sit on a shelf and off my counter. 2. It had to be big enough to hold a 9 x 13 pan. Since most convection/microwaves have a turntable that always rotates when the oven is in use this means the turntable must be at least 14" in diameter. I have heard that some turntables can be switched off but I haven't actually seen this feature listed in specs. I went back in and read the specs on the link shortycakes gave and the Sharp does have a turntable that is over 15" so I'm curious as to why the 9 x 13 pan doesn't fit. If the size of pan you can use is important to you, make sure you check the specs on turntable size or to see if you can turn off the turntable. 3. There is a thread either here or on the kitchen forum on just putting the microwave oven on an open shelf without trim kit. If the air space clearances are sufficient this will work and many prefer this arrangement since it's easy to replace a broken microwave. A convection/microwave is a bit different because often/always it must have its own dedicated electric circuit because it draws so much energy. Also it creates so much heat in operation that a shelf big enough to make it usable would have to be very large. This is where the trim kit comes in. This is not just decorative but serves to funnel or channel the heat to vent out the front of the cabinet. If you try to use the oven in a space to small without the trim kit it will probably shut down from overheating, sort of a mini brownout right in your own kitchen. You could also eventually damage the electronics and void a warranty.

There also used to be a thread here on Advantiums and installation specs you may want to try to find it if you decide on the Advantium since GE was, as of a year ago, very picky about where and how to install it.

HTH.

We have an Advantium and love it. We use it as a microwave 80% of the time and it is great. My son (11yo) uses it with no problem, and the presets make it easy for him to cook/ reheat his snacks. It proofs bread, keeps food warm, and does a great job as a second convection oven. If you cook things like potatoes, fish sticks and chicken nuggets they do great on the speedcook. It is able to hold my 9 1/2" X 13" pan.

One thing we did in our layout was put a drawer under the ovens for pans, etc. I am now glad I did, because when you use the microwave function you need the glass tray, and when you use convection or speedcook you need the metal tray. Part of the reason we don't mind switching all the time is because the storage is easy to reach.

The Advantium is definitely a workhorse in our kitchen and I am delighted that I bought it.

Thanks everyone. It sounds as if people really like the Advantium, so I am going to check that out!