I often cook things for my son in the toaster oven (chicken tenders, tater tots, fish sticks, etc.) because I'm only doing a single portion and it heats up more quickly than the big ovens

A speed oven can do the things you listed, but may be overkill if that's all you want to do. A simple, affordable, proven Sharp convection microwave will do. However, keep in mind that convection microwaves, speed ovens, and steam ovens will all do a poor job of toasting. So if you ditch the toaster oven, be sure to get a regular toaster if you don't already have one.

The key for deciding whether to buy a speed oven is not whether you'll appreciate it's ability as a second oven, but whether you'll appreciate the speed features. Speed ovens are a total waste of money if you're just going to be using them as a microwave and a small second oven. Do you often feel the need to cook stuff much faster than you do now? If not I think the steam oven would be a better choice.

Thanks!

Sometimes I want to cook chicken tenders and tater tots faster, for sure! Can a speed oven do that?

Absolutely. Also great reheat pizza!

I planned to ditch my countertop oven post reno but it was such an old friend that it popped into my pantry

Thanks, a2gemini!

Do you still use your toaster oven a lot then? What do you most often use the speed oven for?

The other thing I wanted a speed oven for is baked potatoes...we don't often have them cause I usually don't have the time to bake for an hour before dinner, but then it seems nutty to buy a specific appliance just for potatoes!

Can convection microwaves use both power sources (heat and microwave) at the same time to cook a baked potato? Or is that feature exclusive to speed ovens?

I have both - a Miele Speed Oven & a Wolf Combi Steam oven. If you made me give up one of them, it would be a tough choice. If I didn't need a microwave, the Steam Oven is the one I prefer. I use the Steam oven more. It makes better tasting tater tots (I prefer Crispy Crowns) than the Speed oven- 1/2 bag takes 20 min, preheating not needed. My daughter cooked a frozen pizza in it yesterday- the best tasting frozen pizza I've had. Leftovers heat up pretty quickly in the steam oven-not as quickly as a microwave but much better tasting. It is just DH & myself and I pretty much use those two ovens to get dinner on the table. I do have a range oven. The Speed Oven rescued me on Christmas. 30 for dinner, everything was close to being ready except for a couple of potato casseroles. I popped those in the Speed Oven on Combination Bake (convection & microwave) & they were ready.

I got both because DH gets home between 7p-9p, with about a 20 minute notice that he's on his way home. I'm not all that motivated to cook by 7:30 or so. I can pop lasagna or whatever in the Speed oven & have dinner ready for him. So, if you have the need for speed, maybe the speed oven is a better choice.

The only factor with both ovens is the learning curve. I know I'm not utilizing either oven as much as I could be. I near a large city & plan to schedule a session w/ the Wolf chefs to learn more about how I can best utilize the combi steam oven.

Or get the steam oven & put a countertop microwave/convection oven in the pantry?

The one thing toaster ovens are good at that speed ovens are terrible at is actually toasting things. Morning toast, bagels, etc.

The ability to use conviction and microwave at the same time is the whole point of getting a speed oven instead of a convection microwave.

Butternut - as HVtech said - toast I sometimes bake a small batch appetizers in the delonghi but the speed oven would work as well

Baked potatoes are amazing in my speed oven. Someone else had a steam issue with potatoes but I haven't had the issue

I make casseroles, use it as a giant slow cooker, baking pot pies(real pot pies from Zingermans or Aachatz but haven't tried my home made ones) reheating awesome pizza and more.

The only trick is balancing MW and speed cooking. The oven can't be too hot to use MW sensor cooking the other day, I forgot to melt butter but just put it in a dish while I was warming the plates and bacon

"Speed ovens are a total waste of money if you'll just going to be using them as a microwave and a small second oven."

So what is the recommended combination for the above scenario? (What appeals to me is the possibility of having one less thing that needs to be accommodated in the kitchen.)

^A convection microwave.

Convection microwaves can be had for $500 or less. Sharp is the best choice, they've been doing it the longest and are proven to work well. They also manufacture a high end, built-in style convection microwave for Electrolux. Speed ovens start closer to $2000.

So excuse my ignorance -- I'm trying to get up to speed. You're saying if I want a small backup oven to bake at a different temp than the main oven, or to bake something small like chicken nuggets or pizza for kids rather than use the large oven, a convection microwave is a good bet? (With the bonus of also alleviating the need for a separate microwave.)

Is this a convection microwave on top? I'm a little confused about all the terminology. Kitchen aid double wall oven

On that topic, this is an insanely good price for a steam oven combo, right? Not sure why it's so inexpensive: Home Depot

That's the model I have. It's worked fine for 8 years so far. It's cheap because they're discontinuing it. Be aware that you will need to run a water line to the oven and have a filter installed under your sink.

In current tentative plan, wall ovens are not far from sink so that shouldn't be too hard. Is it being replaced with something else?

How would you evaluate that steam oven combo vs the basic oven/convection microwave combo? (Thank you for answering all my newbie questions, btw!)

Does that one do steam in both the upper and bottom oven, or just the bottom one?

I'm also curious: my friend who has the combo convection microwave/wall oven ALSO has a 36 inch Bertazzoni range. Do others find a third oven necessary, or do you just have a cooktop or rangetop? Is it inconvenient not to have a separate microwave? I'm trying to imagine how it plays out on a day to day basis.

Only the main (lower) oven has steam assist, not the microwave. Online reviews for the steam assist ovens are horrible, but I haven't had any trouble. Great for bread baking.

Technically I have 4 ovens in my kitchen LOL. I have the KA steam microcombi and I have a separate Electrolux induction range with a full oven and a baking drawer. I don't really count the convection microwave or the baking drawer as real ovens. I do like having 2 full size ovens, but there are lots of people who would rather have extra storage space.

I know it's a total first world problem, but OMG, this decision is going to be the end of me. Every time I think I've landed on the combination I think I want, someone shows me a new option. ;-)

While we're at it: is there such a thing as a basic built-in wall microwave (not a convection) to pair with a single wall oven? Because if I do a range, that would meet all my needs. (2 ovens and microwave without one of the ovens also being a microwave.)

They have microwave/wall oven combos without convection in the microwave. You can also get any microwave that has a trim kit available and built it in with that.

Jennifer, why don't you start another thread outlining your needs and the options you're looking at. I don't have enough information on your own reasons for wanting these, and starting a thread will also give you a good chance to organize all the ideas that are bedeviling you.

Thanks! I had actually started drafting it when I saw this reply. Stay tuned...

I did but haven't gotten a single comment. ;-) Was my subject too generic?

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2838853/need-help-with-appliance-choices-layout

Hi Jennifer - I've read your thread and IMO you have received some very good advice here (romy718's is superb BTW), as well as some dubious advice.

Firstly it's very important to realize how you can't really compare any 110 volt countertop heating element to one that is 240 volts and built-in. They are entirely different animals that perform differently. With heat and convection you are warming air that then contacts the food, either with or without air movement. When 110 volts is used for convection heat, you are basically cooking with the equivalent of a heavy duty blow dryer. Results with 110 volt heating like this are rarely very good. When 110 volts is used for conventional heat, results are typically best in dedicated purpose device (think toaster, coffee pot, hotplate) or are of the slow-cooking variety (think Showtime Rotisserie Oven - don't laugh!, CrockPots, etc.). Even a 110 volt convection microwave actually alternates between the two operations.

With 240 volts the heating element is similar to a pyrolitic (self-cleaning) oven, plus they can have additional specialty elements or circuitry (steam, convection, microwave) that work at the same time. Blow the air around perfectly? No problem, some ovens even have multiple fans or multi-stage fans. Substitute the microwave portion of the speed oven with steam, and you are warming moist air and encapsulating the food with it in a controlled environment. Unfortunately, steam ovens and microwave electronics don't mix very well - which is why we don't have a tri-purpose device (and when one does come - it would be a very good idea to wait a while until the combination issues are worked out).

Secondly, both speed ovens and steam ovens typically perform their best when used in their combination modes respectively. Meaning, steam with convection or heat with microwave. So as a few have said, there is somewhat of a learning curve with either - because the capabilities go far beyond how conventional appliances work(ed). Before buying either, it is probably only of good value if you are willing and wanting to make that learning curve commitment.

Having said all this - I just saw your other post (where I will post some additional comments) - and it really isn't practical for anyone to get a quality speed oven or steam combo in a total appliance package in the $6-$7K range. You would be disappointed. The Miele steam is the least expensive I would recommend at $2,500 (there is a Smeg at just under $2K), and for a speed oven a decent Bosch model can be had for $1,400. In either case these are too high of a percentage of your budget, and all require dedicated 240 volt circuits. When your budget is tight, this is the wrong way to go.

Hope this helps and good luck!

^Have you ever owned a Sharp convection microwave? I have had several (as well as KitchenAid now), and the results in convection only mode are comparable to most speed ovens I've tried in convection-only mode.

I don't think I ever said that a Sharp convection microwave performed the same as a Miele speed oven in all modes. But the question is, does OP really need the multi thousand dollar speed oven or will the basic Sharp do just fine? She didn't seem that interested in the speed/combination modes, so if you just want a small auxiliary convection oven, the Sharp will do the job. Yes, in general a 120V oven will take longer to heat than a 240V oven, but with such a small cavity, both will heat up very fast and it barely matters in the convection-only mode.

I have seen people buy these speed ovens and then never use the speed/combo functions, just using them as a glorified microwave. I'm just trying to make sure that doesn't happen here.

This is Gardenweb, and it became part of Houzz just under 2 weeks ago (to the outrage of many users). Many felt that Houzz was too focused on form and the high end, whereas Gardenweb was focused more on functionality and affordable solutions. I don't think we should assume that because someone shows interest in a product that it is the right one for them, and I DEFINITELY don't think we should assume that everyone here is OK with blowing thousands on something they don't need/would never use just because the website says "Houzz" in the corner.

As I though I clearly said:

I would suggest a different approach - if you really get and take in romy718's post above (worthy of re-reading IMO), then a 240 volt speed oven should be on your wishlist and in your plans. If not and a toaster oven plus a countertop microwave is fully satisfactory to you - then that is what you should aim for (I like the Breville's FWIW).

@zeetree how is the Gaggenau speed oven? I may need to get one because I cannot bring in 240V for the Miele combi-steam, hence ending up with a gorgeous but super expensive one from Gaggenau that I then want to then match up with their speed oven.

You do NOT have to spend that kind of money.

Look at the Bosch Speed Oven. It, like the Gaggenau will operate at 208 volts and more than likely has the same parts as the Gaggenau speed oven, just not the label or price that will "Gag You"!

A couple of years ago, I was trying to help out a person that needed parts for a Gaggenau appliance. I got to checking, and in "most cases" the parts that fit the Gaggenau oven also fit either the Bosch oven and/or the Thermador oven. These parts included heating elements, broiler, bottom element and convection elements. I also checked sensors, heater controllers ~~~YOu name it, and except for the trim, and maybe the power cord, none of the parts were "exclusive" to the Gaggenau.

Now, that was a couple of year ago that I did that study, and it did "Tick off" another Gaggenau appliance owner as they were trying to claim there was "Something Special", You know, the shoutout, "It's the Best"?

So, if the money is burning a hole in your pocket and you must have the Gaggenau for Whatever reason, then go for it, The Bosch Speed oven is around $1800.00 and try as I might, I can NOT find a price for the Gagg, which "To Me" is "Slimeball Marketing". If you do decide on the Gagg, try to get the matching neon sigh that says "This way to the Gaggenau" (LOL).

Here is a link to the Bosch Speed oven:

http://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/HMC80251UC.html

Gary

.

Gary, once it's in the mainstream and available to be shipped in quantity I'm sure ajm will have it on their site , complete with pricing.

Now, it's a microwave at the end of the day with baking features, kinda like yours. None of which anyone needs .

Heck my mother would think you a fool for buying that Elux that's been discontinued at whatever you paid for it cause a $39 microwave from WalMart will do exactly the same thing. I'm sure you enjoy it, and it fills a want in your life. It's no different for folks wanting this Gaggenau, so why do you poopoo it so much ?

Oh, you better check your parts schematic again because that gaggi has an electrically operated door from the touch screen that is worth the price of admission at some cocktail parties.

Hi there - lots and lots of vitriol being served on such a simple and well meaning thread! Wowzers! Let's be nice folks. Please keep in mind that people looking for Gaggenau are NOT looking for the lowest priced product - let's be real. They are looking for something more. There are numerous options that will cook very much the same and so on. This is NOT about that. Just like almost every car will drive on the same roads whether it is a Bentley or a Pinto, the Gaggenau buyer is looking for something much more upscale than Europe's versions of GE! And that is exactly what Electrolux is. People who buy Fords and Chevrolets aren't wrong with their choices - they are simply making their choices. The same is true for people buying B&O and Gaggenau. They are looking for the luxury goods cachet that comes from knowing that at the given point in time they are looking and buying - the state of the art is in their grasp. If you cannot imagine what it is like to walk up to an oven and with a mere touch - have the door open - if you can't imagine the hinging issues as well as the control issues associated with a stack of appliances - then don't buy them! It's not rocket science. What's right for you may not be what's right for another. And that's okay! I happen to like and appreciate true luxury goods and living - and for those like me that aspire to that I post some of my opinions and experiences. And for those like me - I read their opinions and experiences and interact with them as well. Let's stay with substance on the topics please.

@zeetree, I read that you were in the process of purchasing the Gaggenau speed oven last February. Did you get it yet? How do you like it?

to azijoon

I'm a bit unclear as to your actual question/issue.

The Gaggenau Speed Ovens are only 220-240 units. If you need a 110-120V unit and you want heat with a microwave, you are looking at a convection-microwave combination. Personally I like the Panasonic models the best. Then you add a built-in trim kit to match your oven and viola: you have it. It really depends on your install situation and so on. Most homes can add a circuit for a true speed oven (using 220-240V). If you cannot then an option I have used to accommodate a 120V model is a simple one: change all the incandescent cans to LED (I like the TCP brand 2,700 degree reflectors from 1000bulbs.com the best BTW). This lowers the circuit load by 85%+ (using the 120W incandescent to 17W LED comparison! Plus it doesn't buzz and is dimmable. Pretty cool stuff. What am I saying? Well, a 20 amp breaker with 19 120W cans is 80% maxed at 2280 watts. Changing these to LEDs would use 323 watts, a savings of 1,957 watts. The top end Panasonic Convection uses a maximum 1,472 watts, which leaves a wide margin of success for adding to an existing circuit. For a little primer on the math here's an excellent description: http://www.milestoneelectricdfw.com/resources/faq-tripping-breaker

Any who....

My Gaggenau BM455110 Speed Oven is not yet installed - as I live in the US and these models are not imported directly here for reasons I cannot discern other than low volumes and sales expectations. FWIW: I got the left hinge bottom controls to fit over a US sourced 24" self clean Gaggenau BI oven and warming drawer. I went through fesal.com from Italy to purchase my unit, and expect to have the cabinetry done sometime in the spring of 2016 for it's final installation (they are absolutely gorgeous BTW). Yes I know I forfeit the main warranty and so on and it is not UL approved, but it does operate on either 50 or 60 cycles and 220-240 volts according to the factory specifications - and that is about all I need to know. EU standards are definitely on par or possibly superior to UL, and the false notion that homeowners insurance would be invalidated is thoroughly incorrect on many levels. The Euro pricing was as low as I have seen from any country that I tried to export from (Australia, UK, Germany, Italy).

More info? Just ask. I'll do my best to respond.

Thanks

Zee et al - the BM 45x xxx is starting to become available in the U.S. Earlier this year it was in regulatory red tape which I understand has passed.

It is still not in mass production so that you can see on at every local purveyor .

I saw it in person at the Gaggenau showroom. It is beautiful like their other stuff. The interior does look like the Bosch or Miele for that matter. The price is in the $4000-$5000 range which seems like a bargain over their combi steam which I was told is over $7000.

My only question to you zeetree is how do you like it but I guess you don't know yet. Good luck getting it. Enjoy it and let us know.

xedos & azijoon - that's great news! On the other hand with S&H I paid far less - about $2,500 on the grey market.