An integrated combination microwave oven is a good choice if you have a suitable cabinet niche where you can bring cooking, reheating and defrosting together in one appliance. If you don’t have a niche, a freestanding model may suit these needs, provided its functions, capacity and worktop footprint are right for you. Keeping a separate oven and microwave is still worth considering if you need to use both at the same time or want to keep an oven that can accommodate larger dishes.
If you want to reheat, defrost and cook certain dishes without modifying your kitchen units, consider a freestanding combination microwave. Check that its functions cover your needs and that your worktop has the clearance specified in the instruction manual.
An integrated combination oven can bring oven and microwave functions together. Measure the niche, then check its dimensions against the installation diagram and the capacity of the model you’re considering.
If your dishes need a larger cavity, or you want to reheat something while another dish is cooking, consider a separate oven and microwave. Bear in mind, though, that you’ll need space for both appliances.
First decide where the appliance can go, then check that its cavity and cooking functions suit the dishes you make most often.
Consider it: if you have a suitable niche where you can fit an oven and microwave in one space.
Bear in mind: installation depends on the niche dimensions, ventilation and requirements for the model you choose.
Consider it: if you need to be able to use the oven and microwave at the same time.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to find a suitable spot for each appliance.
Consider it: if you don’t have a niche and the model’s cooking functions meet your needs.
Bear in mind: the appliance takes up worktop space and needs the clearance specified by the manufacturer.
| Priority | What to check | Consider your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Space | Measure the available height, width and depth. For an integrated model, check the niche dimensions; for a freestanding model, check the clearance specified in its instruction manual. | I don’t want to choose based on the external dimensions alone: the appliance needs to fit properly in my kitchen unit or on my worktop. |
| Capacity | Compare the stated capacity with the size of your dishes and the usable dimensions of the cavity. Bosch, Whirlpool and Panasonic list examples with capacities of 44 L, 52 L and 30 L respectively, but capacity alone doesn’t tell you what each appliance can cook. | My larger dishes need to fit in the cavity. If I cook several dishes, I’ll also check which cooking levels are available for the specific model. |
| Cooking functions | Check the exact model’s specifications for microwave, grill, fan oven and combination programmes separately. Also check the temperature range and accessories needed for the dishes you plan to cook. | I want to reheat and defrost, as well as cook certain dishes: the word ‘combination’ alone doesn’t tell me which functions are included. |
| Using appliances at the same time | Work out whether you need to use the oven while the microwave is doing something else. If so, make room for two separate appliances. | Being able to reheat one dish while another cooks matters more to me than having everything in one appliance. |
| Cleaning and connection | Check the stated cleaning method: cleaning assistance or hydrolytic cleaning doesn’t mean the appliance has pyrolytic cleaning. Check the ventilation guidance and electrical requirements for the model; have any changes to the electrical circuit checked by a professional. | If I reheat and defrost food often, I want to know what cleaning the instruction manual recommends and whether my existing installation is suitable. |
An oven might fit the available height but still need a different niche depth or different ventilation gaps. Electrolux says that moisture can escape from a microwave or compact oven through its ventilation ducts.
Measure the space and compare it with the installation diagram for the exact model. Follow its ventilation instructions and have any electrical changes checked by a professional.
Capacities and functions vary between models. An appliance that reheats and defrosts may not be suitable for the dishes or cooking tasks you’d expect from an oven.
Measure your dishes and check the capacity, functions, temperatures and included accessories for each model.
Heating food can create condensation. Electrolux says that moisture escapes, in particular, through the ventilation ducts of microwave and compact ovens.
Follow the cleaning and ventilation instructions in the manual, and don’t block the air vents.
These brand examples show the formats and features to check for each model; they don’t cover every range from each manufacturer.
Bosch offers integrated combination microwave ovens as well as conventional ovens.
Whirlpool offers integrated and freestanding combination microwaves, with features that vary between models.
The NN-C69KSM is an example of a freestanding combination microwave for a kitchen without a built-in appliance niche.
Miele offers a range of integrated combination microwave ovens designed for a 45 cm-high niche.
These two models are worth considering if you need a freestanding appliance and your kitchen doesn’t have a built-in niche. Compare their capacity with the dishes you use, and check the functions and installation instructions for each model.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a freestanding appliance that can help keep the number of appliances down: the product title states a 42 L capacity and a 3-in-1 configuration. Check that its functions suit the dishes you want to cook, then consult the manual to find out how much space to allow and how to install it.
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This 39 L model could be worth comparing if you’re looking for a freestanding appliance with several functions. Check which functions and accessories you’ll need for your dishes, then check the clearance and installation requirements in the manual.
No. A stated niche height for a product category doesn’t guarantee that a particular model will fit. Compare the available height, width, depth and ventilation gaps with the installation diagram for the model you’re considering.
It can handle some oven tasks if its cooking functions and cavity suit your dishes. Check that it has a fan oven function rather than relying on the word ‘combination’ alone: Panasonic lists a 30 L capacity and a fan oven function for the NN-C69KSM, but that doesn’t guarantee it can accommodate the same size of dishes as a conventional oven.
Ventilation gaps are part of the installation requirements for each model. Electrolux says that moisture can escape from a microwave or compact oven through its ventilation ducts, so follow the clearance requirements in your appliance’s manual rather than those for another model.