Owning a convection microwave oven combo will save you time and money. We got you on savings, right? That’s a clear pro. The additional features present no obstacle to your having the best of both worlds in a convection microwave oven.
You well know the speed at which microwave cooking prepares your food compared to your convection oven. ‘Think Cake in a Mug’. Done in seconds in a microwave oven and still a fun novelty if you had no time to prepare dessert for your dinner party.
But you are aware that there is no such thing as a crust on your bread or crispy bacon in microwave cooking.
Enter the innovative convection microwave combination technology. A whole new world has opened up to households and the food industry at large with the speed and efficiency of today’s microwave convection ovens. Food preparation has taken on new delights for home cooks and professionals alike.
You’re invited to ‘join the caravan of happy convection microwavers’!
Convection Microwave Ovens Highlights
- Space-saving. For today’s modern kitchens, small apartments, and caravans, this is a huge pro. (Just remember that these ovens need air movement above and behind.) Just remember that if you’re doing bulk baking or cooking then this may not be the best option.
- Time-saving. For busy executives, office canteens, and all avenues of the hospitality industry. The cooking time of a combi microwave with the option of convection browning is a no-brainer.
- Some models can steam food and make yoghurt!
- Grilling. Many models have a grilling feature for the best of browning off, so are not just for a ready meal on the run.
- Flavour. Food cooks evenly and that enhances flavour and avoids overcooking.
- Roasting & baking. A combi microwave may be smaller than a conventional oven but there are sizes available that can still accommodate a turkey.
- Affordability. A combination microwave oven is often less costly than a standard oven and they don’t consume as much electricity.
- Safety. Convection microwave ovens have robust safety features. These include auto shutdown, which greatly reduces the risk of accidental fires.
But, what are the variables and how do you evaluate what’s right for your kitchen?
All will be revealed with some FAQs. Let’s get to it.
How Does A Microwave Convection Oven Work?
Understanding some basic science on the combination of the two types of technology at play here will help you determine your use and need for a combo microwave oven.
Back to School: How do Microwave Ovens Work?
On the electromagnetic spectrum, microwaves fall between radio waves and infrared light waves. (That’s nowhere near the scary ultraviolet, x-ray, and gamma-ray side!) Microwave oven doors have a metal mesh. This acts as a mirror to reflect the oscillating waves back into the oven and prevent them from leaking out. Behind the scenes, your microwave has a transformer to convert your regular 120-volt household electricity to a whopping 4,000 volts or more. This, in turn, powers a magnetron – that’s the thing that generates microwaves from electrical current.
Inside the magnetron is a filament that is heated by the voltage drawn from your plug that boils off electrons. As the electrons are spun around by two hidden ring magnets, an antenna delivers the desired 2.45 gigahertz microwaves in the confines of your appliance. (If you’re up for a little light scientific reading, take a look at this article.)
Bob Schiffmann, president of the International Microwave Power Institute explains that once you hit your start button “it usually takes about 2 seconds to heat a filament inside the magnetron tube.’” After that the molecules of whatever you’ve put into your microwave start being jostled and twisted about, producing heat by friction.
The reason regular microwave heat cooks faster than convection heat is because the waves penetrate the liquids on the inside and the outside of whatever’s being microwaved at the same time. However, your food will never become browned or get crispy though.
How do Convection Ovens work?
Contrary to the all-at-once heating generated by microwaves, we’re more familiar with convection ovens conducting heat from the outside of the food, towards the centre. During convection cooking, the dry, hot air circling around the outside of the food evaporates moisture. This is why, when baking using convection oven tech, you get that delicious crust on the outside while the inside remains soft and moist.
So back to the big question – how does it all work?
How Does a Microwave Convection Oven Combo Work?
In short, the answer is that the combination of both technologies enables faster cooking plus gives you crisping and browning capability. On top of that, you have the option of using the two approaches separately without needing two separate appliances.
Now a few key questions arise:
What Cookware Is Used In A Combination Microwave Oven?
Anything made of glass, ceramic, stone, aluminium, tin foil, and metals is fine. Although, the rule of “no metal in the microwave” should still be adhered to when using just the traditional microwave function. This is a great article for more practical dos and don’ts around microwave combi cooking.
What Is The Best Convection Microwave In South Africa?
Our vote goes to the Beko 25Lt Built-In Convection Microwave Oven (Inox/Stainless Steel), the LG 39L Black NeoChef Microwave Convection Oven, and the Built-in microwave oven with grill. However, there are several contenders vying for this top spot, and ultimately it’s down to what suits your budget and your space.
Beko 25Lt Built-In Convection Microwave Oven (Inox/Stainless Steel) – MCB25433X
What Types of Foods Can You Make In a Microwave Convection Oven?
An easier question is, what can’t you cook in a microwave convection combo oven? Seriously, from whole chicken to one-pot meals to fairy cakes, you are only limited by your imagination. Toast doesn’t do very well in a combo oven, but that’s about it.
Look around; you’ll find plenty of delightful recipes to experiment with.
Do I Need A Convection Microwave Oven Combo?
Here is a quick quiz for you to check off to evaluate your particular needs in your area:
- Energy efficiency – would you like to reduce your electricity consumption?
- Save time – would you like to have more time on any given day?
- Reduce shrinkage – would you like your proteins and veggies to remain plump?
- Retain individual flavours – would you like to taste each food item in a multiple cooking batch?
- Reliable results – would you like to have confidence in your menu?
- Air frying – would you like to add this healthy option for your family?
- Add to meal repertoire – would you like to try sous vide, for example?
If you’ve ticked off a few of these nice-to-have options, then you’ll definitely want to read the next section of this article.
How Do I Choose The Right Microwave Convection Combo?
With the variety of kitchen appliances available today and the quality evident in combining the best of technology, you can afford to be specific. Here are some factors that may apply to your selection:
Size – the combination ovens are always compact, but if you are single, or feeding a family, you will find a size just right for you.
Ease of Use – with so many variables and cooking functions, you may feel daunted about operating such sophisticated equipment. Rest at ease, though, the manuals are straightforward and you’ll soon feel confident.
Ease of Cleaning – some microwave convection combo ovens have easy self-cleaning modes. Check your manual and the control panel for these smart time-savers.
In short, a convection microwave oven combo saves time, money and delivers the best of most cooking modes. (Including grilling steaming, and baking!)
Smart combo ovens have delayed start functionality, sensor, and multi-stage cooking. You may find the auto-programming function ideal for your needs. Either way, you will enjoy your convection microwave oven combo as one of the most rewarding small kitchen appliances you’ll buy in 2022.
Feel free to browse through our microwave convection oven range or chat with our customer service team who are available in-store to assist.
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