Microwave Newbie - which should I buy?

littlesnuggy

I don't have a microwave but think the time has come where it would be useful. OH has never had one as his parents don't, but we used to have one at home that was just used for warming stuff up.

I've been looking online for deals and have discovered that microwaves can now be used cook all sorts. Is a combi microwave useful to have? Or do you mainly just use the basic microwave function?

These two combi ones both have good reviews and are the same price, but one was originally a lot more expensive than the other. Can anyone tell me whether the more heavily reduced one is 'better'? I can't see many differences in the functionality.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/1700677.htm

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4006842.htm

Any advice or recommendations would be much appreciated

ERICS_MUM

The basic difference between the 2 is that the first has a microwave , grill and convection oven but the second does not have the convection oven. The price is the same.

I have a combi microwave and I use the convection oven a lot to save power instead of using the main gas oven. But there's only me so it's plenty big enough. Funnily enough I've never used the grill, I prefer the one on my main oven.

maman

I think it depends on whether you intend to rethink how you cook and take full advantage of all the extras that a combi oven has.


If all you intend to do is a bit of defrosting and reheating then it's not worth the extra cash.


As your OH hasn't ever used one perhaps you should start with a basic one and then move on when you need to replace it.

LameWolf

I have a Panasonic micro/grill/combi which I use a lot in preference to putting on the big gas oven.

Notably, it has no turntable, working instead on (from memory) something called "inversion"; this makes it easier to put larger containers in when using the micro function.

I'm cooking for two of us on a daily basis, and rarely use the big oven at all!

Citygirl1

Sorry, just jumping in here. I have a combi microwave and when I have used the oven part have found that stuff doesn't taste the same as when cooked in the big oven, is it something I am doing wrong? I live alone and the idea of the combi was to save on the big oven but I find I am still using it.

kerri_gt

My OH is totally against microwaves so I've started using ours less at home. However we have one with a grill at work....its currently entrusted eith several years worth of people's lunches that have exploded and welded themselves to the grill element. Every now and again I heat milk for cereal in it...and bits drop off into my milk. Bleugh.

suki1964

You seriously need to think about what you need the micro for.


A coue of years back I was looking at a halagon oven, and was talked into a combi. It lasted two years before I sold it and bought a decent powered micro. I only use the thing to reheat and defiant.

littlesnuggy

Thanks all.

In the short term I want it to make porridge in as making it in a pan is such a faff/creates more washing up! On nights when I'm working away, I think it would also be useful for OH to cook ready meals etc in without having to turn the oven on.

In the longer term, we are TTC and I have a feeling it would be useful for baby stuff like sterilisers, reheating small portions etc.

Sounds like a normal 'solo' microwave would be sufficient, but they all seem to be £60ish so I thought an extra £30/£40 for added functionality might be worth it.

imho

Blimey look at how much it is Amazon

Think that is a made up price as normal price seems to be £99.
I would go for the Combi Microwave that has a Oven in it.If i dont use my halogen i will use my Combi Microwave and have not used my main oven in years.