<p>Since this seems to be the year that our appliances die, our microwave just bit the dust. So what to buy? Does anyone have one with a convection oven and use that? I never cook in the microwave. I just heat up things, defrost or make popcorn. So what I am asking is would it be worth the extra money to get the convection oven or just replace the microwave. In case it matters, it is built in above the range.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I have a combo (microwave and convection). and I use it both ways…and a LOT.
Pros: Don’t have to bend down to roast or bake things. Food cooks a bit quicker in the convection. Roasted vegetables are great. Space saver.
Cons: The convection overheats sometimes and just shuts down…usually when I’m cooking something a long time like baked potatoes. Repair guy has not been able to fix this and even a replacement didn’t make problem go away. Also, sometimes I wish I had a separate microwave when I’m cooking lots of things…but that’s rare. </p>
<p>BTW, the oven came with a cookbook with lost of recipes for combined mic and convection cooking. I don’t do that. I either convect or I microwave.</p>
<p>In a good one, the combined methods yields amazing foods. I was a skeptic, but you can make the most perfect poultry and roasts in half the time, not to mention baking potatoes and so much more.</p>
<p>My oven is basically another cupboard since I got the micro/convection combo. i use it for anything I would use the oven for, including cakes and cookies and it does a great job. I was not sure if it was worth the extra money before i bought it, but now a year later, it definitely was.</p>
<p>I too have a microwave/convection oven and use the convection option way more than my big oven. It is especially good for the (plug-in thermometer) temperature-based combo roasting. Only when I am doing a large meal (Thanksgiving) or need several shelves to bake do I use my main oven.</p>
<p>But we have had a number of breakdowns and my H thinks the combo appliance is more likely to need servicing. Nevertheless, we still have the combo unit bought about 10 years ago, and I would make the same choice again.</p>