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We reviewed three combi-microwave ovens so you don't pick the wrong one. Steam, grill, bake, and reheat food all in one machine! Take your pick, according these reviews:
HITACHI SUPERHEATED STEAM MICROWAVE OVEN MRO-AV200E
$1,699, from major electrical stores. 33 litres. Includes a microwave-safe ceramic tray, two metal trays, and a height-adjustable grill tray.
FUNCTIONS
USING IT
Steaming
The water tank was easy to use, and my steamed fish came out perfectly. However, the rim of the ceramic tray dips into a low lip in the centre, and there’s a risk of spills when steaming (or defrosting, and when the dish has a sauce).
Grilling
To grill chicken wings, the manual advised me to fully extend the grill tray so it was in the top rack. The skin came out crispy and the meat, fairly moist, but some wing tips were burnt.
Baking
I loved how I could skip the oven-preheating step and still turn out muffins with a golden crust and moist centre.
Microwaving The weight sensor didn’t work as well with defrosting and reheating. My frozen, raw wings came out slightly cooked at the edges, and when reheating porridge, I had to run the automatic reheat function three times before the porridge was hot enough.
VERDICT
8.5. An appliance that’s a breeze to use, even with its hiccups.
FUNCTIONS
PANASONIC ECONAVI INVERTER STEAM OVEN NN-CS894
$1,599, from major electrical stores. 32 litres. Includes a glass tray, grill tray, metal tray, and a plastic trivet for steaming.
USING IT
Steaming
I set the weight of the fish (in 100g increments, from 200g to 600g) for the oven to calculate steaming time and my dish came out succulent and moist.
Grilling
The oven asked if I wanted Grill 1, 2 or 3 but there was no information on the oven door, so I had to dig deep into the manual. My chicken wings were the best of the lot – incredibly juicy with crispy skin.
Baking
I considered using the Muffin programme but beat a hasty retreat when I was asked to key in weight – of each cup of muffin batter? The whole tray? I switched to the Convection mode as it let me set the temperature and time. My muffins turned out fine.
Microwaving
The oven does away with round turntables, so I could use crockery of different shapes and sizes. I only had to flick my finger across the screen to set the time, and press – so easy if you have to reheat several dishes.
VERDICT
7.5. A fairly good performer, if only the display and programmes were less confusing.
SAMSUNG MC35J7055HT/SP OVEN [Great Find]
$649, from Gain City, Harvey Norman and other authorised dealers. 32 litres. Includes a glass turntable, a high metal rack, a low metal rack, and a steamer set.
FUNCTIONS
USING IT
Steaming
This is the only oven with a steamer set but its size was limiting – it fits just a small fish.
Grilling
The manual advised placing a wire rack over the glass turntable. But when the wings were done, I pulled out the rack and marinade dripped all over the floor. The alternative was to lift the glass turntable with the rack of wings, but they would have been really heavy. Thankfully, the wings turned out crispy and juicy.
Baking
The maximum temperature on the convection setting is 200 deg C. My recipe called for 220 deg C, so I made do with 200 deg C and extended the baking time by two minutes. My chocolate chip muffins were still beautifully baked.
Microwaving
The table in the manual was spot-on, so I didn’t have to guess or troubleshoot.
VERDICT
8. A good workhorse that holds its own across all cooking modes.
This article was first published on Simply Her.