Hi,
I'm in the process of looking for a microwave / convection oven to go in a van. Ideally it would bake and be able to run like a normal household oven, but I've read that they aren't very good.
Can anyone recommend one that I'll be able to bake bread in etc?
Cheers
Unless I am not doing it right, a paywall applies to the Choice article.
I purchased a combined convection/microwave oven from Kmart last year.
(I can't find the link now - possibly discontinued but I will keep trying)
(I have just looked at the appliance - there is no identifying brand/writing on the front - strange)
The microwave function is good, but the convection was not as good as I expected.
It heats, but not hot enough on convection IMHO.
At the same time I also purchased a relatively cheap analog in-oven thermometer, which shows that the dialed in temperature of the oven is very optimistic, when compared with the reading of the thermometer.
LG MJ3966ABS is the highest rated model followed by Breville BMO870BSS.
The LG neochef family appears to support bread baking per this review: https://janisjournalreviews.com/2017/01/16/product-review-lg…
The vendor website calls out potato baking, no recipes re: bread.
We have been very happy with both our Panasonic Dimension4 Genius Convection Microwave ovens, and the 2nd was an Inverter model too. I recall getting 1st around early 2000/2003 time frame and second hand, which died in 2012. Quickly found a free one needing the turntable motor,(under 15 bills) Inverter jobby. Microwave side died 3mths ago - a 1 x $6 Power Relay, 2 hrs to strip, clean, repair the PCB and reassemble sweet as. Can fit and cook a 3kg Chook or Pork Roast with crackling to die for.
We have not had a 'normal' oven for over 20 years. Both were round turntable, and no cooking issues. Had a Micro only Flat bed temporarily waiting for the Relay, it is soooooo Slooooow and under-powered even with same Wattage Rating.
When I can not repair this thing again, I will start looking for another Panasonic, plus with Steam if that is still an option.
Look around, size and base price are the biggest variations, until you look at all the cooking options now available and Warranty, then it gets involved.
We've had a Panasonic 31L NN-CS89LBQPQ for a while and love it. It's a 1000 watt flatbed inverter, with grill, convection oven and steam. It is on the spender end, but have seen for ~$993 during sales.
In oven mode it's almost indistinguishable from a conventional. It heats up quicker because it's small, but also you need to make sure you click start after opening the door (there's a safety cut out).
We use it a lot for steaming baby food, and as a smaller oven. It really shines in combo modes - eg microwave and oven, oven-grill (aka airfryer mode), and steam baking.
One suggestion though - map out it's physical dimensions against the space you have. It was excellent for us, but might be too bulky for a van.
Also given you've mentioned baking bread. My partner has been able to prove dough with success (it has a 30° and 40° oven setting)
Just get a bread making machine?
https://www.choice.com.au/home-and-living/kitchen/microwaves…