..lay a little egg for me Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 We are thinking of swapping our bog-standard microwave for a combination microwave oven and grill. I have seen lots of Panasonic ovens, but they all have turntables and quartz grills. I was wondering whether the turntable is essential? With my current microwave, the turntable limits which dishes I can use in it! Does the conventional oven function work well for baking (which is what I need it for as we turn off our Rayburn in the summer so I can't bake much...I usually have a big baking session once a week for which I turn the Rayburn on)? Have any of you got one that you would recommend? I have had my current Panasonic microwave for over 20 years and it still works fine, so I a) feel a bit guilty about changing it and b) want something equally well made! Your advice would be v welcome... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimmyCustard Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Hi Caroline Parents bought us a Panasonic Inverter slimline Combi for Christmas and its great. It has the turntable (necessary I believe for equal cooking) and is very powerful. Baked potatoes come out like the ones from the oven, all crispy on the skin and soft inside. Chickens cook with more moisture and are juicier than the electric oven but depends if you like your chicken skin crispy. (not sure if I should mention cooking chook on this forum!) My mum cooks almost all the time with hers, I still like our normal oven but I would recommend one, very fast cooking and was about £180 I think. Kimmy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riane Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Hi, we have bought one as we have moved from a house with two ovens to one. I thought we would just use it as a back up occasionally. But, we are using it quite a lot. We have baked in it and done roast potatoes, meat and pies. All seem ok. Ours is a Sharp jet convection and grill. It was ex display in Debenhams so got it a bit reduced. The down side was no instructions but I have managed to find some on the net. Watch out for size if you are wanting to cook joints of meat . Some of them are quite small. good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackiepoppies Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 Hi Caroline, Have had a few micowaves over the years and although I can't recommend a specific make , I would suggest that you go for the biggest capacity you can find [remember tihs is a conventional oven as well as a microwave]. It will be smaller than your normal oven and will therefore cost less to run for single items. I found a stainless steel interior for easy cleaning by far the best. That to me is very important, [enamel can chip quite easily]. The grill could save you quite a lot as again you would be heating a smaller area. We are in the process of installing a single electric oven with a combination microwave which eliminates the need [ ] for a double oven AND microwave. i.e. space saving. Hope this is helpful! Jackiex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 I also had my Panasonic for almost 20 years and as it was getting hot I decided to call it a day - I bought a russell hobbs grill/micro and really it does the job but I dont like it! - so take care with what you buy! I miss the other one badly it was just so easy to use but I will get used to this one I expect Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 We have a Sharp one that has been going for about six years. I wish the damn thing would break down as I never use it as an oven and would buy a steam oven in it's place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannie Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 We have a panasonic combination microwave and its brilliant! I only use our ordinary oven now for really big things, and use this little one for bread, cakes, roast etc. Heats up in a flash, exact temperature (I assume), built in timer etc. What its really great for, unexpectedly, is for really tasty veges. We put them in a shallow dish, sprinkle on salt pepper and olive oil, and then bake, grill and (low) microwave all at once! Sounds horrific, but as well as being really quick it concentrates the flavour, a bit like griddling but without the heavy pan to wash up! Wouldn't be without it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...