Combination Microwave with Grill and Convection: Buyer's Guide

A modern kitchen in a city apartment or a well-organised household demands appliances that can do more than just a single task. A microwave with grill and convection, often called a combination microwave, promises exactly that: the functionality of three appliances in one compact unit. However, the market is flooded with models whose advertised features often fail to deliver in practice. Before you make a decision, it's crucial to understand the most common pitfalls that lead to disappointment and unnecessary expense.

The 3 Most Common Pitfalls When Buying a Combination Microwave

Many appliances boast impressive features, but their weaknesses quickly become apparent in daily use. Pay close attention to these three points to avoid making a poor choice:

1. Inadequate Convection Performance: A common issue is weak or poorly distributed hot air. The result: pizzas are undercooked in the centre while the edges burn, and cakes rise unevenly. This is often due to an underpowered convection fan or a poorly designed interior that prevents true air circulation.
2. Misleading Capacity Claims: A 25-litre capacity might sound generous, but the usable space can be significantly smaller. A large turntable severely restricts the use of rectangular casserole dishes and reduces the effective internal footprint. The advertised volume is therefore only a theoretical value.
3. Difficult Cleaning: Grease and food residue quickly build up in corners, on heating elements, and behind the turntable. Many interior coatings advertised as "easy to clean" don't live up to the claim, and a complex interior design turns maintenance into a tedious chore.

What Really Matters: The Key Parameters

To ensure your new 3-in-1 microwave can serve as a true mini oven replacement, you should check three core technical aspects.

1. Power and Combination Modes

The raw wattage isn't everything; its distribution is what's crucial. A good appliance offers balanced power across all three functions:

• Microwave Power: Typically between 700 and 1000 watts for rapid heating and cooking.
• Grill Power: At least 1000 watts are needed for decent browning and crisping. Quartz grills generally heat up faster than conventional heating elements.
• Convection Power: For true baking, the power should be at least 1300 watts to stably maintain temperatures up to 200°C.

However, the true strength of a combination microwave lies in its ability to combine functions. A program that uses the microwave and convection simultaneously can, for example, significantly shorten the baking time for a casserole.

2. Interior Design: Turntable or Flatbed?

This is a fundamental choice that heavily influences daily use.

• Models with a Turntable: Ensure even heating of food in round containers through rotation. The downside is the loss of space and limited usability for rectangular dishes.
• Microwaves without a Turntable (Flatbed): These models use a flat ceramic base and special antenna technology at the bottom to distribute microwaves evenly. The major advantage is the fully usable interior, which offers space for large, rectangular casserole dishes or even several small plates at once. Furthermore, cleaning is significantly easier.

3. Useful Special Features

Some additional features offer real added value and significantly expand the appliance's versatility.

• Microwave with Crisp Function: This feature combines the grill, convection, and a special crisp plate to make foods like french fries, pizza, or breaded items crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside in a short amount of time.
• Steam Cooking: Some models offer a steam cooking function with a dedicated accessory. This allows for the gentle cooking of vegetables, fish, or dumplings, preserving nutrients and flavour.
• Automatic Programmes: Pre-set programmes for specific foods (e.g., pizza, potatoes, meat) handle the time and power settings for you and can lead to better results, especially when using the microwave for baking.

Top Picks for Different Needs

Instead of presenting an overwhelming list, we have selected models that fit specific user profiles and meet the criteria mentioned above.

SUITABLE FOR: THE VERSATILE ALL-ROUNDER

Severin 3-in-1 Microwave with Grill and Convection Function, MW 7773

Why it's a good fit: Ideal for users in smaller apartments or as a secondary appliance in a family kitchen. It reliably covers all three core functions and, thanks to its combination modes and automatic programmes (including a pizza function), allows for flexible food preparation, from quick reheating to baking a small cake.

How it avoids the pitfall

The dedicated 1350 W convection function ensures more even heat distribution than basic models and delivers reliable baking and browning results when using the automatic programmes.

Key Advantage

A true 3-in-1 appliance whose functions (microwave, grill, convection) can be used separately or in combination. The stainless steel interior makes cleaning easier.

SUITABLE FOR: THE FLEXIBLE SPACE-SAVER

Bauknecht MF 259 SG ExtraSpace Microwave without Turntable

Why it's a good fit: Perfect for ambitious home cooks who regularly use large, rectangular casserole dishes or want to prepare multiple dishes at once. The additional features, like steam cooking and a yoghurt-making function, turn it into a multifunctional kitchen hub.

How it avoids the pitfall

The ExtraSpace flatbed technology completely solves the problem of wasted space, offering a level, fully usable 25-litre surface. The steam-assisted AutoClean programme simplifies the removal of stubborn grime.

Key Advantage

Maximum space and flexibility thanks to the flatbed interior. Additional premium features like Crisp Fry and Steam Cooking significantly expand your cooking options.

SUITABLE FOR: THE PRACTICAL ENTRY-LEVEL CHOICE

Severin 2-in-1 Microwave with Grill, MW 7771

Why it's a good fit: For users who primarily need a reliable microwave for heating and defrosting but appreciate the added option of browning and grilling foods like toast or sausages. A convection function is not essential for their needs.

How it avoids the pitfall

This model avoids the pitfall of overpaying for unused features. It focuses on two core competencies—microwave and grill—and executes them reliably with 9 power levels and a combination mode.

Key Advantage

A straightforward and cost-effective 2-in-1 solution that focuses on the most commonly used functions and is easy to operate with rotary dials.

1. Can a microwave with convection really replace an oven?

For many everyday tasks, yes. A high-quality combination microwave can bake pizzas, prepare casseroles, bake cakes, and grill chicken. It is an ideal mini oven replacement for smaller households or as a second appliance. However, it reaches its limits with very large roasts, multiple trays of baked goods at once, or special baking requirements (e.g., bread).

2. How many watts should a good combination microwave have?

Pay attention to the individual power ratings. A good guideline is: approx. 800–1000 W for the microwave, at least 1000 W for the grill, and at least 1300 W for convection. More important than the maximum power, however, is the appliance's ability to maintain a stable temperature and distribute heat evenly.

3. What is the advantage of a microwave without a turntable?

The main advantage is the space gained. Without a turntable, you can use the entire interior floor, which allows for the use of large, rectangular casserole dishes. Additionally, there is no need to clean the turntable and its mechanism, which significantly simplifies appliance maintenance.