What Is a Combination Microwave?

Whether you pronounce it “mekro waavé” like Nigella Lawson, or “micro wave” like the rest of the entire population, there’s no denying that the handy microwave has become the king of convenience in the modern kitchen.

But not all microwaves are alike, and in this article, we’re going to look at one of the most useful microwaves on the market, the combination microwave, and why you shouldn’t miss out on it.

What is a combination microwave?

You may have heard of them before, but what exactly is a combination microwave? Well, the clue is in the name.

Combination microwaves, sometimes known as combi microwaves, combine the best parts of the traditional microwave, and merge it with convection ovens and grills to make something truly outstanding. Effectively, they’re an all-in-one cooking appliance.

Unlike your standard ‘solo’ microwave, which primarily relies on microwave radiation to heat up food, combination microwaves incorporate additional heating elements and fans to achieve various cooking functions.

Combination microwaves can still use microwave radiation, but the addition of fanned or convection hot air unlocks the ability to cook in different ways. Need to defrost, cook, brown, bake, or roast? Then a combination microwave can handle it all.

Some top-of-the-range models feature the ability to air fry or steam food, as well as the ability to select ‘multi-stage cooking’. This method allows you to set the microwave to operate in a sequence. An example of this is if you needed to defrost, then grill some food. With multi-stage cooking, you can set it to do all of this without the need to intervene.

How do combination microwaves work?

But how on earth can one little microwave do all this? Well, we promise it’s not voodoo magic under that outer shell. Here's a breakdown of the technology behind it:

At the heart of the combination microwave is the microwave function, which uses electromagnetic waves to generate heat and cook food quickly. The magnetron generates these microwaves that penetrate the food and cause the water molecules to vibrate, which in turn produces heat.

So far, so microwave. But here’s where we get into the fancier flourishes of the combination microwave.

First up is the grill. The grill function uses heating elements, typically located at the top of the cooking chamber, to generate high heat. This radiant heat is perfect for browning, crisping, and adding a grilled texture to your dishes like it’s just come off the barbecue.

For that traditional oven feel, there’s the convection feature. This feature uses a fan and an additional heating element, usually located at the back of the microwave, to circulate hot air evenly around the food. This process is similar to an oven, meaning you can use your microwave to cook up a wonderful Sunday roast.

But here’s where things get interesting. Many combination microwaves allow you to use multiple functions at the same time. That means you can use the microwave and grill together to cook and crisp food simultaneously. Bet your standard microwave or oven can’t do that.

How big is a combination microwave?

Combination microwaves typically come in one of two styles: freestanding, or built-in. Both styles come in a range of sizes, but both tend to fall between the size of a standard microwave, and a conventional oven.

This sizing puts them in a unique position. If you need to microwave a meal in the traditional method, you will have a larger space to do so, but if you want to oven cook a full family meal, you may find yourself running out of space.

Another consideration to make is ventilation. All microwave ovens require some space behind the appliance to allow for airflow, but with combination microwaves, more space is required. 

This is because the hot air expelled from the appliance will likely be greater than a traditional microwave, so you should factor this in when finding a suitable home for your new microwave.

Is a combination microwave expensive?

The answer isn’t quite that straightforward.

In general, combination microwaves are more expensive than your standard ‘solo’ microwaves. They can vary in price depending on how many additional features they come with, though they typically won’t come cheaper than around £110.

When you compare this to a cheap solo microwave, coming in as low as £30, that price might put you off. But that’s only one side of the coin.

Say you wanted to cook a jacket potato. You have your standard oven, running at approximately 2000 watts, and then you have your combination microwave, operating at, say, 800 watts.

In the oven, baking a jacket potato would take an hour. To calculate the cost of that, we take the wattage (2 kWh), multiply it by the time it took to cook (1 hour), then multiply it by the cost of electricity (let’s say £0.245). Therefore, the cost of that jacket potato was approximately 49p.

Compare that to your fancy combination microwave, and that jacket potato is suddenly ready in just 10 minutes with a reduced wattage of 800 watts. That means you just spent around 16p - nearly a third of the cost.

Think about how often you use your microwave and oven, and it won’t be long before those costs start to add up. Suddenly, that initial expense doesn’t seem so steep.

Should you get a combination microwave?

Trying to figure out if a combination microwave oven is right for you? Here's a breakdown of the main pros and cons:

Pros

Variety - combination microwaves are incredibly versatile. They can microwave, grill, and use convection cooking all in one, so there's not much they can't handle in the kitchen! Whether you're defrosting, reheating, cooking, baking, roasting, or grilling, this appliance has got you covered.

Space-saver - these microwaves are a godsend for compact kitchens as they combine multiple appliances into one. No need for a separate oven or grill; a combination microwave does it all. This can free up precious counter space and make your kitchen feel less cluttered.

Cooking space - if you’re often whipping up a feast for family and friends, the added cooking capacity that a combination microwave offers can be a lifesaver. It allows you to prepare multiple dishes at once, making it easier to manage more complex meals and ensuring everything is ready at the same time.

Cons

Size - while combination microwaves may be slightly taller and wider than regular microwaves, they are also deeper and heavier. This can be a bit of a challenge if you have a built-in model that needs to fit into an existing alcove, as they might not slot in as easily. With freestanding models, the extra bulk means they aren't as portable, making it harder to move them around the kitchen if needed.

Price - combination microwaves are generally more expensive than standard models. They come with more features and functions, after all. If you're on a tight budget, this is something to keep in mind. However, the investment could be worth it for the added convenience and functionality they bring to your cooking.

How to pick the right combination microwave?

When it comes to choosing the right combination microwave for your kitchen, you want to pick a model that suits your home. Here are our top selections:

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Next is the Russell Hobbs RHMAF2506B. This 25L black microwave is a bit of a kitchen wizard, combining microwave, air fryer, grill, and convection oven functions all in one. With 10 auto-cook settings and a 95-minute timer, making family favourites has never been easier.

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