Types of combination oven
- Microwave combination ovens: a fan oven and grill with microwave power built in. Use them separately or together to shorten roasting and baking times, and to defrost and reheat. There are more built-in models in microwaves.
- Combi steam ovens: fan heat and steam in one. Steam alone suits vegetables and fish, dry heat suits baking, and the two combined give juicy meat and well-crusted bread. You'll find steam models together in steam cooking, and dedicated steam ovens have their own page.
- Steam plus microwave: a handful of models offer both, packing the widest range of functions into one compact space.
- Full-size ovens with extras: 60cm-tall single ovens with steam or microwave added, for kitchens that only have room for one oven.
Which type suits you?
| Type | Suits | Worth checking |
| Compact microwave combi | A second oven over a single oven, or the main oven in a smaller household. | The microwave's power, the grill, and how tall your housing is. |
| Combi steam | Keen cooks, bread and pastry, and reheating food without drying it. | A refillable tank or a plumbed supply, and how descaling works. |
| Steam and microwave | The maximum number of functions in a compact space. | The controls and automatic programmes, as there's more to get used to. |
| Full-size combi | Kitchens with space for one oven that still want extra functions. | Usable capacity in litres, and how it cleans. |
Making the choice
Microwave or steam?
Ask yourself what you're hoping to gain. A microwave combination is about time: it browns like an ordinary oven but finishes faster, and it can replace a worktop microwave. Steam is about texture: meat stays succulent, bread rises and crisps, and leftovers taste fresh rather than tired. Want both? Look at the steam and microwave models.
Compact or full size?
At about 45cm tall, a compact oven is usually stacked over a 60cm single oven in a tall unit, giving you two ovens that do different jobs. It can also sit over a warming or vacuum drawer to fill a 60cm opening. If there's only room for one oven, a full-size combination model makes more sense.
Where the steam comes from
In most combi steam ovens, the water comes from a tank you top up by hand. Some connect to the mains water and a drain, so there's nothing to top up or empty. Either way, descaling is needed now and then, more often if your water is hard.
Cleaning
Plenty of steam models have a steam-clean setting to loosen dirt for wiping. Pyrolytic cleaning turns up on some microwave combis, and catalytic liners on a few. Each product page says which.
Programmes and apps
Combination ovens often carry dozens of automatic programmes that set the mode, temperature and timing for you. Many work with an app, so you can preheat or follow a recipe from your phone.
A matching look
Planning a column of appliances? Stick to one brand and range. Miele's palette includes Clean Steel, Pearl Beige, Graphite Grey and Obsidian Black, while Bertazzoni's compact ovens come in its Heritage, Modern and Pro series.
Before you order
- Measure the housing. Work out whether it's meant for a compact or full-size oven, then compare it with the installation sizes on the product page.
- Check the power. Some models simply plug in; others must be hard-wired by a qualified electrician. The product page says which.
- Plan any plumbing. A plumbed steam oven needs water and a drain near the housing.
- Check your dishes. Not every dish is safe on microwave or combination settings, so check the manual's list for each mode.
The brands we sell
Our combination ovens come from AEG, ASKO, Fisher & Paykel, Miele, Ninja, Russell Hobbs, Samsung, LG, Sharp and Smeg. Open a brand's page to find matching single ovens, drawers and coffee machines.
Buying a combination oven from KDH Electrical
Every oven comes with the full UK manufacturer's guarantee. We'll deliver at no charge when your order tops £600, normally within 3–7 working days. In our installation area we can fit the new oven and take the old one for recycling; you'll see both prices in the basket.
Seen a lower price at another UK retailer? Our price match means we'll try to match it. Call 01622 541312 for help with housings and sizes, or visit our showroom in Rochester, calling before you travel to check what's on display.