Fortunately, I have a relatively large pantry (vs. a much smaller kitchen). So when I got the Miele Speed oven, I just moved my old Sharp microwave and my ancient, beloved, toaster oven into the pantry. Now, about 8 months after the remodel, I still use the toaster oven for toast, having never even tried to toast in the Miele. And the pantry's microwave gets used to do something quick (like melt butter) while the Miele is pre-heating, or baking, or whatever. Though these things only happen occasionally, its been often enough that I haven't seen my way to tossing out either old oven. The drawback, of course, is that there are 5 ovens in my little kitchen/pantry area, which seems excessive. And I suppose the pantry has less counter space for canned beans or whatever... As for the Miele's combination mode, I've only begun to explore this by using it to reheat things like casseroles -- Alton Brown's "Cauliflower Say Cheese", last night. Master Chef expects me to know how much these things weigh, which is a struggle, but last night's guess turned out just fine. Oh yeah, if you select Defrost mode, the Miele speed oven will heat in the range of 75 to 125 degrees. This setting is useful for cooking "raw" foods at 104. I did think about a steam oven as well, but there really was no way to fit it in there.

Many folks here really like the Miele Speed oven and many of us here, like me, just like speed ovens, period. I have the Electrolux Icon Speed Oven, (for over 7 years now). It has been completely trouble free. It does everything that the Miele does, except broil, and it is a bit smaller inside and uses a rotating carousel, (which the Miele does not). It is also easier to use than the Miele, particualarly microwaving, just enter the time and hit start. How can one not like an appliance that bakes a tater in 14 minues, (Including preheat) instead of 45 mins to an hour in a regular oven. It convection bakes, speed cooks, microwaves, does popcorn, defrosts~~IE one of the "Handiest appliances" in our kitchen & one I would never be without. There is also the Advantium and many folks like it too. So check the stying of the 3, any of them will do the job. Also check the inside cavity~~~~in the 7 years we've had ours, I've found nothing that I cook or bake regularly that does not fit in it~~~~Course it's not gonna hold a whole turkey~~~that's what the big oven is for, but I use it for turkey thighs and breast, fish, etc etc~~~You name it!! Best of luck with your upcoming decisions! Gary

1. If you search in the Appliances forum, you'll find a number of posts from one guy who has the Sharp, and sells them, and thinks they're terrific. 2. Lots have the Advantium (inc. me, but I have the Monogram Pro 240 version). Plenty of info about that, and the OTRs in the Appliance forum too. I love my Advantium. I'm not so enamored of speed cooking, but it's a truly excellent microwave, and works very well in oven mode. It works fine in speed mode as well, but I have yet to find things that I wouldn't rather spend the extra half hour on to do the old fashioned way. If I had X number of minutes to get the kids to practice, I'm sure the speed mode would be my best friend. 3. Yes, consensus is the Breville is the best toaster oven. More info about that in Appliances too. :) I have the Gaggenau combi-steam. The amount of steam escaping really isn't a big issue, though I suppose it might be if you had a uberairtight house, or high humidity. I'm not sure you need the toaster oven except for actually making toast, or a lot of family members all making different things at once. I have a conventional oven, combi-steam and Advantium, and keep a toaster oven in the small appliances drawer for toasting bagels, et al. When we take it out, we put it on the island, handy to the breakfast seating. I use one of the smaller ovens (both the Advantium and combi- do convection oven mode) if I need a small oven, never the toaster oven. Though the Breville is supposed to be a very good oven.

Thanks Chanop! I decided to go with a steam oven beside speed oven, both contour line M touch so matching turned out not to be an issue. This was my original plan, I just kept looking at other options because I was worried about not having a bigger oven. I've obsessed over the decision, considered so risky in here in north america. Paid for it all yesterday and feel great about the decision.