A Siemens engineer has confirmed that our 2007 built in self-cleaning combi oven (45cm high) is beyond repair in respect of the microwave part. The oven still works and is safe to use. We have a second Siemens built in oven (same vintage and matching brushed steel/black) which is just below and has a couple of minor repairs in recent years.
Very impressed with Siemens’ longevity (one or both used every day) so do we:
(a) get a stand alone microwave sacrificing worktop;
(b) replace the combi oven to non-matching current Siemens (possibly with air fryer capability - we’ve yet to join that revolution) with the risk the other oven fails in a few years and cannot be matched; or
(c) bite the bullet and replace both, recognising that 19 years is impressive but much longer is unlikely, so that they match?
Likely to stay with Siemens (or Bosch) (our induction hob, also from 2007, is Siemens) and not minded to jump up to say Miele.
We never get rid of working appliances for the sake of it, so a temporary stand alone microwave feels wrong, however cheap. And we’d prefer not to lose worktop space. We don’t use that function all that often.
Also, has anyone used/got a microwave and airfryer combination, with or without traditional oven/grill? I thought a key principle of airfryers was one or more small compartments that can be removed and cleaned each time. The time/energy saving is appealing if it doesn’t require an extra box/plug.
I’ve not had cause to consider ovens since we bought the current ones, so I’m hoping to curtail the amount of research to be done.
Probably not what you’re looking for, but in our last kitchen, and the one I fitted for my sister -in-law, and one I just fitted for a son, we had a 450mm tall cupboard with a door on vertical lift hinges (pulls out a couple of inches then swings up on gas struts. In that we put a freestanding microwave, giving much greater choice of models, and more economical. The door matches all other cupboard doors. It is easily opened and can be left open while microwave in use, though I also added ventilation holes in the back panel just in case there was any need to close the door while microwave is on. That approach would of course require you to be able to find a suitable door, which may be difficult if the rest of the kitchen is 19 years or whatever old.
In terms of air fryer, although occupying worktop space we really love our combination oven / air fryer, which is a freestanding Ninja model - we find it so useful that we take it in our motorhome when away, and when we refit the kitchen in the house to which we have just moved I will be looking at ways to accommodate it, or a replacement, better, but it has greater ventilation needs than a microwave, so if I go for the same approach I’d connect an extraction duct to the cupboard, which might also need to be a bit taller.
If the combi oven / air fryer also included microwave it would be even better! I’m guessing that might become available sometime.
Thanks, that is most helpful. I gather Ninja equipment is very good. We only have a Ninja frying pan currently.
As for 4 options in one device, it appears they’re already here, e.g. “The Panasonic NN-CD88 combines a microwave, air fryer, grill, and convection oven in one space-saving appliance. With a 34L capacity and an extra-large 360mm turntable, it’s perfect for family meals. Enjoy crispy, oil-free cooking with the air fryer, while the convection and grill functions let you bake, roast, and grill with even heat. Genius Sensor technology ensures effortless reheating, while Inverter Technology delivers precise, even cooking without hot spots.”
We were in the same position last year, our 25 year old Bosch gave up the ghost. We brought a Bosch CMG7241.1B and are very pleased with it. The built in air fryer function works well.
Our microwave has just died, and I was considering one of these as a replacement as I really don’t want to clutter up the worktop with appliances. I was also attracted by the oven/grill functions as our existing twin oven cooker uses a lot of power when we are often only cooking smallish things.
What put me off was that it’s considerably larger than a regular microwave but I discovered that they make a smaller 27 litre model, so I’ve ordered one. I’ll need to modify some shelves to make room for it, but I’m hoping it will be an improvement on our bog standard old microwave.
