I debated this as well! I spent a lot of time at the appliance store. They had a fake 15 pound turkey that you can stick into ovens etc.. I found that I could get it into the speed oven or steam oven. However, a pizza would not.

Baking - depends what you are making. A big batch of cookies would take multiple runs as it is small inside. Also, the smaller ovens require a smaller size pan (not your standard cookie sheets etc).

In the end I went with a steam and a regular oven. I have three young boys so 1) we will need pizzas to fit 2) they will eat me out of house and home so more cooking space is a good thing 3) we host holidays so I didn't want to be regretting lack of space that 2x times a year.

Also - the size of theinterior of steam ovens can vary. I did go with the bigger size (Wolf).

Just wanted to chine in that with the cooking you describe - on paper it can work.

We have a steam oven and a smaller oven as part of our Lacanche. I'm not sure I'd want two ovens the size of our steam oven but it could work if you are not opposed to using more pans when you need to cook more food. I find moving food in and out of our steam oven a little tougher than moving food in and out of our smaller range oven but our smaller range oven is bigger than our a steam oven and I like that it can hold a 1/2 sheet pan. I am a big fan of smaller ovens in general. They are so much more efficient than larger ovens and in my experience cook food faster, which is great.

we have a steam combi and a range with oven. i love the smaller steam oven and mostly use it. you can definitely fit a large chicken inside, (not sure about T-day turkey). however. i found that using it for larger items, it doesn't cook as evenly. and for cookies and other baked goods that need to spread out, it is a pain to have to do multiple batches. so for those times, i prefer using the range oven.

Thanks Michoumonster, what brand combi and oven do you use? I really don't want to spend for 3 ovens (steam, micro or speed, and regular) but I might have to if I need the extra racks for baking. I guess I could bake in both small ovens at the same time?

divotdiva, sorry, i was confused earlier when i commented. i have a steam oven, not a microwave/steam combi. the one i have is made by gaggenau, 27". my gas range with oven is wolf. for the steam oven, you can put multiple racks inside to cook at the same time, but at least with mine, it is not always even because there is a halogen light inside that also contributes to the cooking at higher temps (so things closer to the light brown faster, if that makes sense), this might have been improved in newer models though.

We're getting a combi steam oven and regular oven with our upcoming remodel (works starts next month), so I'm not yet speaking from experience. My understanding though, is that the combi steam oven already heats up pretty quickly, so I don't really see the need for a speed oven. I would want to have at least one traditional full-size oven. Personally, I would ditch the built-in coffee maker for a good countertop model (like a Technivorm) and a burr grinder.

thanks again michoumonster. Makes sense about the light, if they still have halogen lights the problem will still exist. I will look at the specs.

Greasetrap, I am also looking at countertop models, but DH would like to do away with filling the coffee machine every day. I could also replace the speed with just a regular microwave. Back to reading manuals......

Bumping for additional input. If we have both a combi steam and a speed, looks like I could bake in both ovens at the same time if necessary for cookies or cake, right? Or am I crazy to do away with a 30" convection?

I have both a steam & speed oven. I love both, especially the steam oven. I pretty much use the two of those for daily cooking for DH & I. I still need a large oven on occasion. Do you have the space to put a 30" oven? I'd want one for those occasions you need a larger oven & also for resale.

I probably have the space - don't think we plan to sell unless some unforeseen circumstance arises, we have already renovated the bathroom for aging in place. Thinking about creating the space but not necessarily installing a 30" right away, unless it would be a hassle to do so later.

I just don't see the need for a speed oven if you have the combi steam, as it already heats up pretty quickly. I think the steam plus a 30" would give you the greatest amount of flexibility.

No microwave capability with a steam oven for those rare occasions one might need a microwave - reheating coffee, microwave popcorn. A convection microwave would be less expensive than a speed oven & you may be able to get a larger one. I'd still want a 27" or 30" oven. You could use the interior for storage?

Is this a kitchen reno or new build with new kitchen cabinetry & countertops?

it's a renovation. I currently have an induction cooktop with a full size regular oven/convection underneath. I don't want a microwave on my counter either. The only thing I use the micro for is to reheat stuff or popcorn once in a while. But popcorn can be made on the stove.

DH is still focused on just getting the steam combi and the speed. I realize my large sheet pans won't fit, but what will? Quarter size sheets? 13 x 9 pans? Can I use all my regular pots and pans in either oven, like dutch ovens, or for baking - bundt pans, 12 cup - cupcake pans?

We have a steam combi and regular sized oven. I use the steam oven daily with and without steam because as a smaller oven it heats faster and is perfect for smaller batches of food. Not sure I would have much need for a speed oven though. The multiple racks in the steam allow for the preparation of complete meals if needed but I do like having the larger oven for baking and cooking larger items. To be fair I don't have a speed oven so I con't comment on it's usefulness. Having a smaller sized oven and traditional sized oven affords the most flexibility in use imo.

17 3/4 x 13" sheet pans fit in both my Miele Speed Oven & Wolf Combi Steam. The steam oven comes with 4 racks, two regular oven racks, one perforated tray & a solid metal tray. The Speed oven comes with a glass tray & one metal rack. When using the combination/bake mode (baking & microwaving at the same time), any metal cookware cannot touch the sides of the oven. so you couldn't use the 17x13 in that mode. 12 copcake pan fits, bundt pan fits. I don't have a Dutch Oven (a Le Creuset is on my wish list) but I believe it would fit.

Just an FYI, we ended up with the Speed, Steam & a conventional oven because we do the big family holidays & needed 3 ovens. My plan was to get a convection microwave as the 3rd. We went to a Wolf cooking demonstration & fell in love with the steam oven (24"). We only had 24" & couldn't fit the Wolf Microwave/Convection oven so ended up with the Miele Speed oven. My husband works late & I get a 30 min notice when he's on his way home. We justified the cost of the Speed Oven based on his work schedule. I do like the Speed oven but I love the Steam oven. I use both almost exclusively as we are empty nesters.

Another thing to keep in mind is that these are not self cleaning ovens.

thanks Muskokascp and Romy - - I have a feeling I'm going to use the steam oven a lot, DH doesn't want me baking as much as I did in the past so that we aren't tempted to eat stuff we should be cutting back on. So hopefully I can keep a couple of my current large sheets (17 7/8 x 13 size) for when I need to bake a batch of macarons or cookies, and my current cake pans. I don't bake cakes often but when I do I guess I could put pans in both ovens. I have a beautiful All Clad pan I use for roasting - I think it is actually their lasagna pan - I have a feeling the handles are going to make it too long to fit. :-( I got some All Clad on sale a few years back, 70% off because they were bringing out the new line with the rolled edges.

Romy - I have a small Le Creuset and a 5.5 qt Lodge enameled dutch oven, I don't think I would want larger as the bigger size is pretty heavy to manipulate once full of food. I bought the Lodge at Walmart so you might want to try a less expensive brand before spending hundreds on the Le Creuset.

What do you make in your speed oven?

bumping for more opinions as this is going on a year old. Still planning renov. Our KD is recommending just the speed combi and the steam combi for our space and jettisoning the 30" convection. Hubby wants the speed for microwaving but I'd rather just go with the steam combi and a 30" regular, and the Miele coffee maker (plumbed). I think I could do without the microwave if I have the steam option. Everyone seems to complain about the Miele speed oven being hard to clean?

I have the solution - instead of a cooktop, get a 30" slide in range, the combi-steam oven & the speed oven. Everyone is happy & no resentment if one cannot heat up a cup of coffee.

edit: Tonight, I have all three ovens in action. 30" range oven with pork chops I seared on the cooktop & finish in a cast iron skillet in the 30"'range oven. Baked potatoes in the steam oven. Green giant shoepeg corn in the microwave. Dinner for just DH & myself. DH & I were traumatized by preparing holiday meals for 30 plus people with two old 27" ovens. Our kitchen reno goal was 3 oven spaces.

I want the induction cooktop, not sure I like the induction range. I really will need the storage under the cooktop as we are taking out a leg of a "U" with overhead cabinets.

I am considering ordering a wolf convection steam oven without a regular large oven (and no speed oven either). In retrospect, would you have any advice based on your experience with a similar decision.