I have a 24" Miele speed oven and it's the oven I use the most, and I use it almost always as a "normal" oven. I rarely use the speed features because I'm too lazy to learn how, not because they don't work. (I also find it awkward to switch it to microwave use so I haven't ditched my microwave. Check this feature and be sure it's not an issue for you if you plan for this to be your microwave.) Even without the bottom element, it's a very good oven that cooks evenly and really does serve as an extra oven. I use it for everything that fits including cakes (not layer cakes though--can't fit 2 pans in it!).

I have a good gas oven in my range but it's big and doesn't preheat as quickly or run on solar panels.

I too have the 24" Miele speed oven and use it occasionally as a microwave but more frequently as a small oven. I believe it does have a bottom heating element as well as a top element (see Yale's Blog on best speed ovens) so it can be used for broiling as well. It works extremely well as a conventional oven with lots of cooking options - basically the same options as my 30" wall oven. I was willing to make the extra $ investment in a speed oven rather than a microwave and very glad I did. It is actually a 3rd oven as I also have a combi steam oven which I used the most.

Everyone raves about the Miele but I'm just afraid it doesn't really fit into any of my designs. Plus isn't 24" too small? I've been looking at 30". Does the Benchmark Speed Oven work solely as an oven as well?

The Miele has a smaller external size but actually right about the same internal capacity as the benchmark.

I think you will be happy with the Miele or benchmark. The benchmark can be used as an oven only. It's 240v (as is miele). The "speed" programs are much more robust with Miele. If you want it primarily as an oven or mw, either will work great.

Thank you both for the info - very appreciative. The only piece I am not sure of is the JennAir combo JMW3430DP. At this point I am looking at the Benchmark Speed Oven or this combo that has a great interface to assist with cooking. Any experience with that unit? I know it's relatively new. I am assuming that oven works the same as those two?

Thanks

Jevon: Here's a really thorough discussion about the Bosch speed ovens, voltage differences, etc. We purchased the Benchmark HMC80251UC, mainly to use as a second, smaller oven (we're almost empty nest, so it's just the two of us). I can't recall if one of the differences between the 110V and our 240v unit is the number of coils/heating elements: our unit has both top/broiler and bottom coil. It's been a while since I've browsed the forum for information about Bosch speed ovens, but I recall one (or more) posters mentioning they had the 110V, and it just didn't have enough ooomph to broil/brown properly. Note to self was to purchase the 240v. Good luck!

I have the Bosch speed oven 240v. I use it as a second oven and microwave. You can cook and broil in it and also use it as a warming drawer. What I don't like is that when using the rack, you can't pull it out to check what you are cooking. You either have to reach in or take item out. I also have trouble reaching the back of the oven to clean. The door opens down and I'm short. Right now I'm having trouble with the sensor reheat and sensor cook settings. I had the sensor replaced once already.Bosch service was responsive but they had to order the part, which took awhile.

keagle: I second your comments about not being able to slide/pull the rack out during cooking (as one could with a regular oven) and difficulty getting to the back of the oven -- I'm not short, but maybe my arms are! ;) We'd had a swing-open door micro for so long, it seemed a nifty/novel idea to have a door that opened downward just like a regular oven. I wish I would've taken into account the reach to the rear.

Ok so I'm making my decision shortly and I am down to two separate packages. The prices are very similar out of pocket. I am leaning towards the Bosch due to the uncertainty of the Jenn-Air with no reviews AND bad reviews about the Jenn-Air cooktop. Please let me know your thoughts. Again, the main thing I like about the Jenn-Air is the Culinary Center on the oven/micro combo and the handles on the fridge. Thanks!

Option #1:

Thermador -SGS305FS -30"
Gas Cooktop 5 Burner

Bosch
800 Series - B21CL80SNS -4 Door
Counter Depth

Bosch
800 Series - SHX68T55UC - 3rd
Rack 44DbA Bar Handle

Bosch
Benchmark - HBLP451RUC - Single
Side Swing Wall Oven

Bosch
Benchmark - HMCP0252UC - Speed
Wall Oven

Option #2:

Jenn
Air - JGC1530BS - 30"
Gas Cooktop 5 Burner

Jenn
Air - JFC2290REP - 72"
French Door Counter Depth

Jenn
Air - JMW3430DP - 30" Micro Combo Dual Conv

Bosch
800 Series - SHPM78W55N