Is it worth getting a Convection Microwave oven , + other features ?
 

Hi .........I need to get a new Microwave oven , and its less than a $100 extra for the convection oven feature ?
Some also have an Air Fry , Toaster oven , is that worth also having ?

If you have one with the Convection oven feature what do you ever use it for ?

Thanks for your ideas .

I have a microwave which use for reheating, not cooking . My go-to-appliance is the Brevile Toaster/Convection. I use that every day. It is a great appliance. I generally use it for the convection oven. Today I baked a cake and later roasted vegetables. It also reheats pizza and fries well.

Although a bit pricey, a friend of mine loves her June Oven.

I would say that the added features aren't worth it in a microwave. Ultimately you can't get over the fact that it's a microwave and will make things rubbery. This is why I only use the microwave for heating things up if I'm in a hurry. If you want convection and crispiness, then I agree with getting a nice toaster oven like the Breville.

I think I'd always opt for a separate microwave and toaster oven. I looked at some hybrid convection microwave ovens for use in a limited counter-space kitchen area. I found that most units give up a lot of functionality compared to separate units, and many take up a larger footprint or space and have smaller capacity to boot, so it negates some of the potential space saving. The reviews seem quite mixed as well.

I guess part of the problem is that I do not understand how it works ,

At first I thought you could microwave something and at the same time brown the top , say like a chicken breast ,

But maybe thats not how it works ,

I have a nice toaster oven already .

All the hybrids I looked at have the functionality you mention - acting as a microwave and convection oven simultaneously with a goal of more-even cooking and improving the end result (e.g., browning the outside, as you mention).

I read reviews of some models that stated that the convection oven could not be used independently of the microwave function - so be aware that that's possible - but most hybrid units I looked at could operate as either a microwave or a convection oven, independently.

In my US home, I have a built in convection microwave which sits on top of my regular oven. I use the convection function principally to warm plates.

I've never understood the point of toaster ovens - they do everything badly and seem rather dangerous.

A common use of toaster ovens is to warm plates, actually. A big advantage of toaster ovens is that they heat up much more quickly than conventional ovens, which has the additional effect of using far less energy. Good toaster ovens can do nearly anything a typical convection oven can do, just with limited capacity, making them much more efficient (both time and energy). And a good toaster oven can definitely outperform a bad traditional oven.

I'd imagine toasters are probably just as big fire hazards, so IMO it's about buying quality and being prepared in the event of emergency - which should really be the case for anything in the kitchen.

:confused:

They are great to use to toast bread that is not your normal size--rolls, baguettes, etc.
They are great for baking items that don't need all the space and power requirements of a traditional oven.
They have convection features
They use less power, save money.

I have a great Cuisinart toaster oven and use it all the time. The fact they don't sell them in the UK boggles my mind.

Weirdly, I've been thinking about this a lot lately. We're moving to a new house in a few weeks, and deciding if the toaster oven makes the move.

I'd say they do some things badly, and others quite well. Ironically, the thing they're not good for, IMO, is toast. A basic $15 toaster does a better job.
I kind of think of it as being like a salamander in a commercial kitchen. If you need something warmed or melted quickly, they're much faster than waiting for an oven or broiler to heat up. We all know that pizza reheated in an oven or toaster oven is far superior to reheating in a microwave.

The big limitation though is capacity -- it's great for reheating lunch for one person, maybe two people. More than that, and you're better off using your oven. So I think it comes down to practicality, and your personal situation. We're leaning toward giving ours away to a family member or friend. It just seems like an appliance we don't use often enough to take up counter space.

I use my toaster oven all the time to make toast, heat things up, broil sandwiches, etc. I consider it an essential kitchen appliance.

It's true that it doesn't make the best toast in the world...it toasts a little unevenly, but on the other hand I got it for $5 at TJ Maxx.

Well, "toaster oven" is a bit of a misnomer as it's just a small [conventional] oven - really the name is just for marketing to specify one of its uses (somewhat similar to the recent "air fryer" trend, which is also just a convection oven and doesn't fry at all).

A pop-up toaster is to a "toaster oven" very much what a "toaster oven" is to a conventional, larger oven. It's very good for specific purposes but those purposes are limited. I make use of a pop-up toaster, "toaster oven", and larger conventional oven regularly, but obviously people without the need for the specific purposes each is good for could forego any of these.

[EDIT: typed convection instead of conventional]

I have never seen a toaster oven that had convection capability. Maybe it's a fancy feature.

Sorry, I meant to type "conventional" oven, not convection oven, and I've edited my post accordingly. But many "toaster ovens" have the convection function; I wouldn't buy one without it, and many brands don't even make a toaster oven without it. Doing a quick perusal of shopping sites, it doesn't look like anything under $40 or so has the convection fan - but it's not really something I'd consider fancy.