I still remember the first time I went into a kitchen with a Wall Oven and Microwave Combo. It wasn’t just about how sleek it looked—though it certainly looked like something out of a glossy magazine. It was the planning that made it work. I saw my friend take a roasting pan out of the oven and put it on the counter at chest height. Then, right above it, he put a bowl of peas in the microwave: no bending over, no walking across the room, and no mess on the counter.
I usually tell people to stick to simple, separate tools because I spend a lot of time testing kitchen gear. But I have to admit that the workflow is unbeatable after using a combo unit in a recent kitchen test. This is a big investment if you are planning to remodel or replace a broken built-in unit, but it will make your life easier every day. It makes cooking easier in a way that no other appliance can. But be careful: if one part breaks, you usually have to fix the whole thing. That’s the price you have to pay for this level of ease.
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Why Your Kitchen Might Need an Upgrade
We have all been there. You want to make a nice dinner, like a roast chicken with some sides. You have the bird in the oven and the pots on the stove, and you’re frantically looking for a place on the counter to put the microwave so you can melt the butter for the mash. Kitchen counter space is valuable, and big appliances are the worst offenders.
The wall oven and microwave together solve this space problem. You can make your kitchen feel more professional by stacking two important appliances in one vertical cabinet. This frees up space and makes a “cooking zone.” But does it really cook better than that? Is it worth the high price compared to buying them one at a time?
This guide will explain everything you need to know about this type of appliance. We will look at the performance, design, and whether the convenience is worth the price. This will help you decide if a wall oven and microwave combo is right for your home.
Product Overview: What Exactly Is It?
A wall oven and microwave combo is a single unit that has both an electric oven and a microwave, usually stacked on top of each other. They are meant to fit perfectly into the space between your kitchen cabinets or a wall.
This unit is different from a double oven (which is two standard ovens) or a range cooker (which is a stove and an oven). It has the speed of a microwave and the power of a regular convection oven. Some of the more expensive models have “speed oven” technology in the top unit. This means that the microwave can also be used as a smaller convection oven when you need it.
This kitchen appliance is the best way to save space in a modern kitchen. It takes the microwave off your worktop completely and raises the main oven off the floor, making it much easier to use.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for a microwave and wall oven combo, you want more than just heat. You want features that will make it easier to plan your Tuesday night dinner. This is what is most important.
Unified Control Panels
The best models have a single, simple control panel that controls both the top and bottom units. This means that there will be less visual clutter, and it will be easier to learn. You don’t want to have to deal with two different interfaces when you’re timing a soufflé.
Convection Cooking
Most of the time, the bottom unit is a convection oven, which uses a fan to move air around for even baking. Look for combos that have both a microwave and a convection oven. This basically gives you two ovens, so you can roast vegetables in the top one and bake a cake in the bottom one.
Sensor Cooking
This is a great help for people who are just starting. Sensor technology automatically changes the cooking time and power level based on how much moisture is in your food. You won’t have to guess if the potato is done or if the popcorn is burned anymore.
Fast Preheat
No one likes having to wait 20 minutes for an oven to get to 200°C. Find a wall oven and microwave that have a “rapid preheat” feature. It helps you cook faster, which is important on busy weeknights.
Design & Build Quality
Let’s be honest: one of the main reasons we buy these units is because they look good. A wall oven and microwave combo in stainless steel or black stainless steel instantly makes a kitchen look more modern.
The “Flush” Look
These units are made to fit perfectly with your cabinets. This makes the lines clean and gets rid of those annoying gaps where crumbs and grease tend to build up with freestanding appliances.
Ergonomics
The build quality puts a lot of emphasis on comfort. The handles are usually strong and easy to hold, and they can handle the weight of heavy cast-iron pots. You can check your browning without having to squat down on the floor because the oven is raised.
Materials
You usually want to see heavy-duty racks that slide out easily, even when they’re holding a big turkey. Enamel that won’t let grease stick to it should be used on the inside. When you close the door on a cheap model, it often sounds like tin. A good unit will close with a solid, reassuring thud.
Performance: How Well Does It Cook?
I’ve tried a lot of kitchen gadgets that look good but don’t work when you try to cook with them. The good news is that most modern wall ovens and microwave combos are very powerful.
The Oven Section
These wall ovens work just as well, if not better, than slide-in ranges when it comes to baking and roasting. Electric heat is drier and more steady than gas heat, which is great for roasting meats and baking pastries. The fan circulation (convection) makes sure that all of your cookies bake evenly on all of the racks.
The Microwave Section
The top unit can do more than just reheat coffee. A good combo unit usually has a microwave with a lot of power (1000W or more). This cooks food quickly and evenly. You can brown the top of a shepherd’s pie in minutes with a convection microwave, which a regular microwave can’t do.
Simultaneous Cooking
When you use both at the same time, real magic happens. Think about cooking a chicken in the bottom oven while steaming broccoli in the microwave above it. You can perfectly coordinate when meals are done without having to run back and forth across the kitchen.
Ease of Use
Don’t worry if you’re scared of technology. Manufacturers know that people who cook at home want things to be easy.
low-range
A lot of new devices have digital touchscreens. They look nice, but they can get dirty if you have floury fingers. Some people like retractable knobs because they feel better. But touchscreens often have “guided cooking” modes that show you how to make recipes step by step, which is great for beginners.
Accessibility:
The most important factor in how easy it is to use is height. If you have to lift a heavy Le Creuset pot out of a wall oven, it’s much easier on your back than if you have to lift it out of a low-range oven. It’s also safer because you’re less likely to spill hot liquid.
Cleaning:
Look for options that say “steam clean.” This feature uses water to loosen dirt at a lower temperature than the harsh high-heat self-clean cycle. This lets you wipe out the oven in 20 minutes without breathing in fumes.
Pros & Cons
To help you visualise if a wall oven and microwave combo fits your life, here is a quick breakdown of the good and the bad.
| Feature | The Good (Pros) | The Bad (Cons) |
|---|---|---|
| Space | Gives you a lot more counter space. | Needs a special space in the wall cabinet. |
| Ergonomics | No bending down; it’s easy to lift heavy dishes. | It might be too high for kids or shorter people. |
| Aesthetics | Looks like it’s made just for you, high-end, and built-in. | It’s hard to find new sizes to replace old models. |
| Cooking | Two ovens in one footprint let you really multitask. | You might have to buy a new microwave if it breaks. |
| Value | Raises the value of the home when it is sold. | Much more expensive than separate units. |
Comparison with Competitors
It is important to know what you are comparing this against.
Vs. Double Wall Ovens:
With a double wall oven, you get two full-sized ovens. This is great for big holiday dinners, but it’s not as fast as a microwave. You will still need a microwave on the counter. Every day life should have a wall oven and a microwave together.
Vs. Range Cookers:
A range (stove and oven) is the most affordable option. It’s easier and less expensive to put in. But it makes you bend down to use the oven, and it doesn’t fix the problem of where to put the microwave.
Vs. Countertop Microwaves:
A countertop microwave is cheap (between £50 and £100) and can be thrown away. If it breaks, you buy a new one. A microwave that is built into a combo unit is always there. Not just the heating element, but also the integration and the built-in look.
Pricing & Value for Money
We need to talk about the cost. A good wall oven and microwave combo costs at least £1,500, but high-end brands can cost as much as £4,000.
Is it worth it?
No, if you’re only interested in “cooking food hot.” A £400 range and a £60 microwave will both cook your food.
But if you want to know how much your kitchen is worth, the answer is different. This unit is the main part. It makes your work easier, protects your back, and clears off your counters. The investment makes sense for homeowners who plan to live in their home for 5 to 10 years or who want to raise the resale value during a renovation. It gives the product a high-end feel that buyers love.
User Reviews & Ratings
When scanning through hundreds of user reviews for this category, a few patterns emerge.
What Users Love:
- The Look: Most people say their kitchen feels bigger without a microwave on the counter.
- The Height: People with back problems and older people often praise the eye-level oven.
- Convection Microwave: People are often surprised by how often they use the microwave to bake cookies or heat rolls.
What Users Dislike:
- The Fan Noise: Some fans can keep running for a long time after the oven is off.
- Replacement Cost: The biggest problem is that people are afraid of failure. They worry that if the microwave magnetron breaks in five years, they will have to take out the perfectly good oven below it. (Tip: This is why you should look for extended warranties.)
Tips for Best Use
To get the most out of your wall oven and microwave combo, follow these simple tips:
- Measure twice and cut once: If you’re adding this to an existing cabinet, it’s very important to get the measurements right. Even a few millimeters can stop the unit from sliding in.
- Use the Right Cookware: If your top unit is a convection microwave, you can use metal trays in convection mode, but you have to switch to glass or ceramic trays in microwave mode. Don’t ever mix them up!
- Cool Down: Give the fan time to do its job. Don’t turn off the breaker or leave the door open to “help” it cool, as this could hurt the electronics inside.
- Height Matters: Put the unit in a place where the microwave controls are at eye level for the main cook. If you put it too high, you could burn yourself when you take hot soup out of the microwave.
Conclusion & Final Verdict
The combination of a wall oven and microwave is a luxury that quickly becomes a need once you’ve used it. It makes a messy, disorganized kitchen into a smooth workspace. The price is high, but the ergonomic benefits and space-saving design make it worth it for people who cook every day.
If you can afford it, I highly recommend making room for one in your kitchen remodel. It makes cooking easier, looks great, and saves your back from having to bend over all the time. Just make sure you buy from a well-known brand that offers a good warranty to protect your money.
My Verdict: A smart, ergonomic upgrade for the modern home cook.
My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Best if: Kitchen renovators, small-space dwellers, and serious multitaskers.
Avoid day: You are renting or on a strict budget under £500
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are wall oven microwave combos worth it?
Yes, if you care about comfort and space on the counter. Even though they cost more than buying separate units, they are worth the money for kitchen renovations and long-term homeowners because they look better together and let you work at a comfortable height.
Is there a wall oven that is also a microwave?
This is often called a “speed oven.” In a lot of wall ovens and microwaves that are combined, the upper microwave cavity also works as a convection oven. You can microwave popcorn or roast a chicken in the same space with this.
What are the disadvantages of a microwave oven combo?
The biggest problem is the “all-in-one” risk. It can be hard or expensive to fix just the microwave if it breaks (which happens more often than the oven). One broken part could mean you have to replace the whole big unit. Installation is also more difficult and usually needs to be done by a professional electrician.
Can you get a microwave and oven combined?
Of course. You can buy them as a single, tall unit (which is what this article is about), or you can buy “hybrid” single ovens that use microwave technology to roast food faster. Families like the vertical combo unit the most because it lets them cook at the same time.
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