Integrated Microwave Oven grill, vs separate?

waqasahmed

Hi,

I'm buying a new house, and I'm considering either getting:

- An integrated microwave, oven, grill (with an additional gas hob) or separate?

ie: something like this:
MP676IXH_SS | Hotpoint combination microwave | ao.com

And then this:
HIBG64120SX | Beko Gas Hob | Stainless Steel | ao.com

As opposed to buying a separate microwave, and a separate freestanding oven with gas hob

I don't currently have any kitchen appliances like that, and was wondering what's best?

hollie.weimeraner

We had a Neff oven/microwave when we revamped our kitchen 5 years ago. The microwave is not as good as a standalone microwave but  saves work top space. We also had a slide and hide additional oven. Unless you have another oven I wouldn't consider it. If you do have another oven and limited worktop then it's a decent compromise.

grumbler

I hate freestanding cookers. So do I separate microwaves that clatter worktop.

waqasahmed

hollie.weimeraner said:

We had a Neff oven/microwave when we revamped our kitchen 5 years ago. The microwave is not as good as a standalone microwave but  saves work top space. We also had a slide and hide additional oven. Unless you have another oven I wouldn't consider it. If you do have another oven and limited worktop then it's a decent compromise.

So, essentially if I have the space I should buy separate appliances?

How bad is the microwave in comparison? I typically only use it to "cpok" porridge in the morning 

waqasahmed

grumbler said:

I hate freestanding cookers. So do I separate microwaves that clatter worktop.

Tbh I'm not fond of single purpose appliances myself. That's why I've got a Thermomix, and hopefully selling my Tefal pressure cooker in favour of an instant pot. 

Still they have to do a decent job. 

Rosa_Damascena

grumbler said:

I hate freestanding cookers. So do I separate microwaves that clatter worktop.

I agree with your view of freestanding cookers and take your point about cluttered workspaces. Having said that an integrated microwave is not something I would even consider, I'm happy with my existing large and well-used microwave that I bought for around £65 21 years ago. At less than a penny a day plus running costs, its what I consider to be a very good investment.

mug2007

I like the combination oven / microwave as it is excellent at cooking jacket potatoes in 30 minutes and I imagine there are other things you can cook well using the combined function like some frozen meals. I am not keen on having a microwave using up space on our worktop.  We do have two ovens with grill though, one has a microwave.

waqasahmed

Rosa_Damascena said:

grumbler said:

I hate freestanding cookers. So do I separate microwaves that clatter worktop.

I agree with your view of freestanding cookers and take your point about cluttered workspaces. Having said that an integrated microwave is not something I would even consider, I'm happy with my existing large and well-used microwave that I bought for around £65 21 years ago. At less than a penny a day plus running costs, its what I consider to be a very good investment.

Damn. THat's decent. Just make sure it isn't leaking radiation! Modern microwaves don't last anywhere near as long. I don't have these of my own, which is why I was weighing up my options.

waqasahmed

mug2007 said:

I like the combination oven / microwave as it is excellent at cooking jacket potatoes in 30 minutes and I imagine there are other things you can cook well using the combined function like some frozen meals. I am not keen on having a microwave using up space on our worktop.  We do have two ovens with grill though, one has a microwave.

Tbh I do only really use the microwave for porridge, and maybe reheating stuff. 

Sandtree

It all depends on your cooking style and how many you cook for.

Any "combi" is going to have some element of compromise but can bring its own advantages too. We decided on a dedicated full size oven that does what an oven does best with a pyrolytic cleaning option for getting everything spotless. After some discussion we went with a 2/3rds combo steam oven for the backup as the only thing we were using a microwave for was reheating and whilst a steam oven is slower the end result is better (in our option). The only thing we miss the microwave for is the occasional hot drink left to go cold or pot of ready sauce from the supermarket that could have been zapped without needing to dirty a pot.

After many years with two devices (often just two ovens in a range cooker) it'd be very hard to live with a single device no matter how many slashes it had.

Doozergirl

I wouldn't have a small thing like that in place of a regular oven.   I wouldn't get Sunday dinner in it!   I've only ever noticed people have them as a second oven.  

We have two full size single ovens and I had a plug socket put in the pantry unit so I could hide a cheapy microwave in there.