New microwave - standard or combi?

~Chameleon~

I need to replace my old microwave and I'm wondering whether to go for a combi/grill type rather than bog standard one.

What are your experiences with the a combi/grill type and how frequently would you use one? Are they used as a standard oven/grill for cooking smaller amounts?

I've never, ever used one so would appreciate all comments and advice :beer:

nickcc

Had both and only used the grill a couple of times, now buy the cheapo supermarket stainless look microwave only type, usually cost about £50 and last well over 5 years. First one we bought, way back in the early eighties, cost almost £200 and still only lasted about the same time.

teddysmum

I have a Panasonic combi, but have only ever used the microwave part. It looked too much trouble, switching plates , shelves etc. and on the one occasion I did try, the fumes put me off.


Next time it will be a basic, unless , as in this case, the price was about the same (and my model looked better.)

tanith

I have a combi and have only used the grill once it got very hot and smelled so I never use it.

cattie

I've had a built in combi for about the last 6 years. Obviously it is the microwave part that is used the most, but it is useful to have an extra oven to use when having company etc. & a lot of dishes to cook. I also appreciate being able to use just the smaller combi oven when cooking just for myself as it works out more economical fuel wise. I've not used the grill part of the combi very much, but it is useful for browning dishes.

ariba10

We have a Panasonic Combi and would not like to be without it, if only for the perfect Jacket spuds in only 15/20 mins.

The O H won't even look at it. But if you take the trouble to read the instruction book and try it one step at a time, it can save you a lot of time and money.

cajef

We have a Panasonic combi, hardly ever use the oven, we find the grill takes longer to grill than our main oven grill but is useful to have for occasional use for things like jacket potato.

lstar337

teddysmum wrote: »

and on the one occasion I did try, the fumes put me off.

tanith wrote: »

I have a combi and have only used the grill once it got very hot and smelled so I never use it.

In the manual for our Panasonic it says to run it (the oven/grill part) for 20 minutes on maximum power for the first time you use it, and 5 minutes if it has been unused for a long time.

I did this on ours when I fancied trying it out and it did smell (manual says this is normal), but it didn't smell any other time we used it after that.

That said, we haven't used it much. Unless it's thrown in free, I wouldn't bother.

redfragglebiker

I've got a combi and whilst I very very rarely use the grill setting I do find the oven settings to be very good and have been grateful for the extra "oven Space" so to speak on quite a few occasions

~Chameleon~

Thanks for all your comments so far. It seems the general consensus is to go with the basic standard microwave. I have a large double oven range so don't need an extra oven and it sounds as though using the grill is more hassle than it's worth to use.

I was quite happy with the one I've got (Sanyo - had it 7+ years) but for some reason today it's just stopped heating anything. Still switches on as usual with light and fan but no microwaves!