Tired of soggy microwave meals and slow oven baking? Imagine crispy roasted chicken straight from your microwave! That sounds like a dream, right? Many of us want the speed of a microwave but the delicious, golden-brown results of a traditional oven. Choosing a Convection Microwave Oven can feel overwhelming. You see so many features, and you wonder which one truly cooks best.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will explain exactly what a Convection Microwave does and how it beats regular microwaves. You will learn the key things to look for before buying. Stop wasting time on complicated choices! By the end of this post, you will know exactly which Convection Microwave fits your kitchen needs perfectly.
Top Convection Microwave Oven Recommendations
- Two-Step Child Lock: This mandatory safety feature for microwaves helps prevent unintended use by younger family members, plesase open the machine according to the steps shown in the figure.
- 8-in-1 Multifuntional Microwave One microwave with multi-functions of microwave, air fry, bake(convection), broil (grill), combi., low temp., odor removal, defrost can fulfill more usages.
- Healthy Air Fryer Microwave Combo: Enjoy your wholesome fried food with original taste but less fat with healthy air fry.
- Microwave output power 1000 watts, input power 1600 watts. External dimension (WxDxH): 20.6*18.0*11.8 inches, internal dimension (WxDxH):14.0*13.2*9.5 inches, 12.4-inch position memory turntable
- Compact Size but Large Capacity & Powerful: Small Footprint as Kitchen Essential, 12.4inch removable turntable can fit a whole roasted chicken, 12 inch pizza and 8*4 inch casserole, offers the perfect balance of size and convenience.
- COMPACT YET POWERFUL: This 1,050-watt & 1.0 CU FT. compact microwave offers the perfect balance of size and convenience, designed to fit perfectly in dorm rooms, offices and kitchens alike
- AIR FRY MODE: Enjoy healthier, crispier versions of your favorite foods with the built-in air fryer that delivers fast, perfectly browned results
- CONVECTION MODE: Enjoy perfectly even browning using convection technology and an elevated rack that lets hot air flow around your food for consistent results
- BROIL MODE: Built-in broiler radiates high heat to sear, caramelize, and finish foods just like a traditional grill rack
- PRESET CONTROLS: Use microwave preset controls like Fries and Nuggets to make operation quick and easy, while ensuring precisely cooked results
- 🍞Versatile Cooking Modes🍞: This microwave convection oven features a powerful 950 W microwave and convection modes, offering multiple cooking functions including air fryer, popcorn, speed cook, defrost, sensor cook, and slow cook to meet all your needs
- 🍞Spacious 1.6 Cu. Ft. Capacity🍞: This 30" built-in convection microwave oven combo features a spacious 1.6 Cu. Ft. interior, easily accommodating tall coffee mugs up to 7 inches and dishes measuring up to 16 x 16 inches for versatile cooking options
- 🍞Intuitive Touch Controls🍞: Equipped with a user-friendly touch control panel and preset cooking modes, this built-in microwave with convection oven allows anyone to create delicious meals effortlessly, regardless of their cooking experience
- 🍞Even Cooking Results🍞: Utilizing advanced convection technology with 3D surround heating, this microwave convection oven ensures even heat distribution, eliminating hot spots for greatly cooked and roasted dishes every time
- 🍞Space-Saving Design🍞: Measuring 29.75 W x 20.12 D x 23.18 H inches, this built-in convection microwave oven saves valuable kitchen space by combining the functionalities of a microwave and convection oven, perfect for smaller kitchens
- 5-in-1 Microwave Oven: Use this essential countertop appliance for cooking in five functions: microwave, air fryer, combi (grill/convection), bake, and roast for all of your culinary needs.
- 10 Cooking Levels: Featuring a 900-watt output, this compact microwave has 7 auto menus, including settings for Beverage, Fresh/Frozen Vegetables, Oatmeal, Potato, Popcorn, and Frozen Pizza.
- Air Fry Presets: This small-but-mighty microwave has 11 preset air fry menus, including for cooking frozen French fries, steak fries, squid rings, chicken nuggets/wings/legs, fish sticks/fillets, cheese sticks, vegetables, and spring rolls with an easy-to-use operation.
- Speedy Cooking: Directly press the start button to cook food at 100% power for 30 seconds and press again for an additional 30 seconds.
- Child-Lock Setting: Press the stop button for 3 seconds to lock the control panel to keep little hands from clicking buttons on the appliance.
- 4-in-1 Multifuntional Countertop Microwave One microwave with multi-functions of microwave, air fry, convection, combination cooking (microwave plus convection) can fulfill more usages.
- Healthy Air Fryer Combo Enjoy your wholesome fried food with original taste but less fat with healthy air fry
- One Kitchen Appliance, Better Texture Combines microwave and convection cooking in one appliance; with auto bake, defrosting and auto roast menus; Also with pre-programmed sensor menu for optimum result of popular foods like frozen pizza, vegetables and more.
- Large Capacity for a Family Size 13.6inch removable turntable can fit a whole roasted chicken, 12-inch pizza
- Stylish Appearance: Black Stainless steel finish with easy to clean stainless steel interior.
- 4-in-1 Multifuntional Countertop Microwave One microwave with multi-functions of microwave, air fry, convection, combination cooking (microwave plus convection) can fulfill more usages
- Healthy Air Fryer Combo Enjoy your wholesome fried food with original taste but less fat with healthy air fry
- One Kitchen Appliance, Better Texture Combines microwave and convection cooking in one appliance, with auto bake, defrosting and auto roast menus. Also with pre-programmed sensor menu for optimum result of popular foods like frozen pizza, vegetables and more
- Large Capacity for a Family Size 13.6inch removable turntable can fit a whole roasted chicken, 12-inch pizza
- Stylish Appearance: Stainless steel finish (color of door frame is stainless steel, enclosure is black) with easy to clean stainless steel interior
- Multi functionality: BAKE, ROAST, MICROWAVE, CONVECTION OVEN
- 5 ONE TOUCH COOK MENUS: POTATO, POPCORN, BEVERAGE, REHEAT, FROZEN DINNER
- Air fryer: Up to 70% less fat than traditional frying methods
- SPECIAL PROGRAM: DEFROST/TIME/WEIGHT; 1000W power
- 10 POWER LEVELS
- Get more out of your microwave than the standard reheat capabilities. All-in-One has Air Fry, Grill Mode, Roast Mode and more to gives you everything you need for everyday cooking.
- Free up counter space with Air Fry Mode, which gives you the flexibility of a microwave and air fryer in one. Crisp up nuggets, bacon, fries and more with little to no additional oil*. *Compared to traditional deep frying
- Grill juicy hamburgers and more in your microwave with Grill Mode. The Air Fry Basket allows direct heat to sear the outside of your food, creating a nice crust and flavor the whole family can enjoy.
- Roast Mode helps you lock in juicy flavors for meat, vegetables and more to get a crunchy, caramelized outer layer directly in the microwave. Convection cooking helps circulate hot air throughout the microwave, so your family's favorites get a crispy cook.
- Combi Grill combines convection and traditional microwave technology to quickly heat your meals to ideal temperatures.
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Your Convection Microwave Oven
A convection microwave oven is a kitchen superstar. It combines the speed of a regular microwave with the browning power of a traditional oven. This guide helps you pick the best one for your cooking needs.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping, check these important features first. They make your cooking easier and better.
Power Levels and Wattage
- Microwave Power (Wattage): Higher wattage means faster heating. Look for models offering at least 1000 watts for quick cooking.
- Convection Power: Check the wattage for the convection heating element. More power here means faster baking and roasting.
Capacity
- Size Matters: Ovens range from small (around 0.8 cubic feet) to large (over 2.0 cubic feet). Choose a size based on how much food you cook at once. A family of four might need a mid-sized unit (1.2 to 1.5 cu. ft.).
Control Panel and Presets
- Intuitive Controls: Digital touchpads are usually easier to clean than physical knobs.
- Auto-Cook Menus: Many ovens have preset buttons for common items like pizza or popcorn. These simplify cooking times and power settings.
- Inverter Technology: This feature delivers steady, continuous power, which cooks food more evenly than older models that cycle power on and off.
Special Functions
- Grill/Tandoor Function: Some models include a heating element on top for grilling or achieving crispy tops on dishes.
- Defrost Modes: Good defrost settings use low power to thaw food without cooking the edges.
Important Materials and Build Quality
The materials used affect how long your oven lasts and how easy it is to maintain.
Interior Cavity
- Stainless Steel: This is the best choice for the interior. Stainless steel handles high convection heat well. It also cleans up easily.
- Enamel/Painted Steel: These are common in lower-priced models. They work fine but might stain or scratch more easily over time.
Turntable and Racks
- Glass Turntable: Standard for microwave functions. Ensure it is thick and durable.
- Wire Racks: You need sturdy metal racks for convection cooking. These allow air to circulate completely around your food.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Quality often comes down to engineering and design details.
Factors Improving Quality
- Even Heating Distribution: Look for features like dual heating elements or multiple air vents. These ensure hot air reaches every part of the food.
- Good Insulation: Better insulation keeps the outside of the oven cooler during convection use. This is safer and saves energy.
Factors Reducing Quality (Things to Watch Out For)
- Flimsy Doors: Test the door mechanism. A weak hinge or latch reduces the overall feel of quality.
- Loud Operation: Microwaves with older fan designs can be very noisy when running the convection fan. Check user reviews for noise complaints.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you plan to use this appliance daily.
Everyday Use
If you mainly reheat leftovers, the standard microwave function is key. Look for fast start buttons.
Baking and Roasting
If you want to bake cookies or roast a small chicken, the convection function is your focus. You need reliable temperature control, just like a regular oven.
Cleaning
A non-stick interior coating is a huge plus. Steam cleaning features can help loosen tough, baked-on grime.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I use metal cookware in a convection microwave?
A: Yes, you usually can use metal cookware, but only when using the convection or grill functions, not the standard microwave setting. Always check the manual for your specific model.
Q: How hot does the outside get during convection cooking?
A: The front door and top will get warm, sometimes quite hot. Good insulation helps, but you should still keep flammable items away from the sides.
Q: Does it replace my regular microwave and my toaster oven?
A: For most people, yes. It handles reheating (microwave) and baking/roasting (convection) very well, often replacing both smaller appliances.
Q: How long does food take to cook compared to a regular oven?
A: Convection cooking is often faster, maybe 15% to 25% quicker, because the fan circulates the hot air efficiently.
Q: Is a convection microwave hard to clean?
A: Cleaning the microwave side is standard. The convection element can sometimes splatter grease. Models with stainless steel interiors are generally easier to wipe down.
Q: What is the difference between convection and a regular microwave?
A: A regular microwave heats food using radio waves. A convection microwave uses a heating element and a fan to circulate hot air, just like a small oven.
Q: Do I need to preheat a convection microwave?
A: Yes, if you are baking or roasting. Just like a standard oven, preheating ensures your food starts cooking at the correct temperature immediately.
Q: What is the typical warranty period?
A: Most reputable brands offer a one-year warranty covering parts and labor. Some offer longer warranties on the magnetron (the part that makes the microwaves).
Q: Are they energy efficient?
A: They can be more efficient than heating up a very large conventional oven for small meals, as they heat up faster and are smaller spaces to heat.
Q: Can I use the microwave and convection functions at the same time?
A: Some advanced models allow combination cooking. This speeds up cooking while still allowing some browning. Check the feature list carefully.