July 7th, 2021 | 10 min. read
By Saba Wahid
Learn how to find the perfect cooking products with our Steam & Speed Oven Buying Guide
Speed ovens are an interesting product to consider for your kitchen. Most of the time, you don't use double ovens except for holidays and special occasions.
Perhaps you do not have space allocated for a microwave or use it infrequently.
Speed ovens are a good alternative for using it as an oven, microwave, or both.
Looking for answers about Steam & Speed Ovens?
Short on time? Download our free Steam & Speed Oven Buying Guide.
In this article, you will learn what a speed oven is and the best brands you should consider. In the end, you'll know whether a speed oven is right for your style of cooking.
Let's get started.
What Is a Speed Convection Oven?
Thermador Speed Oven at Yale Appliance in Hanover
A speed convection oven is a convection oven, microwave, or a combination of the two.
The "speed" term refers to this appliance's ability to use microwaves in select convection oven modes to "speed" the cooking process without compromising the quality of your food.
Speed ovens combine the best capabilities of convection and microwave cooking. It pairs the efficient browning capabilities and heat distribution of a convection wall oven with the power and speed of a microwave oven.
In short, it utilizes the speed of a microwave with the quality of convection without compromising the flavor and texture like a regular microwave.
The difference between a speed convection oven and a regular convection microwave is the functionality of the controls and a fold-down door instead of a hinge.
It will match your wall oven and looks better than traditional convection with a trim kit. Plus, you will find it easier to install.
There are many different types of speed ovens on the market. You will learn about the most popular brands like GE, JennAir, Bosch, Wolf, and Miele so you can determine the right one for your home.
Pros and Cons of Speed Ovens
Pros
With this specialty oven, you can increase your cooking capacity and decrease your cooking time for large parties and holiday meals (or if you need to get dinner on the table in a hurry).
With faster preheat times and the ability to cook foods quicker, speed ovens can essentially replace a conventional oven for your everyday cooking needs.
Because they are smaller and combine two appliances into one, they save you counter and kitchen space.
Cons
Speed ovens are a little pricey, especially when compared to a microwave oven. The interior cavity is smaller than a standard 30-inch wall oven, so you will not have the same capacity as a double-wall oven.
Also, you can't use metallic pans when using any microwave or combination/microwave assistance modes.
Speed vs. Steam Ovens
I often get this question, "Which is better, a speed or steam oven?"
The best way to answer is by looking at your lifestyle.
Both ovens can use straight convection modes.
If you have young children or need to get meals out quickly, the speed oven with the microwave could be a good option for you.
Steam ovens aren't that fast as a speed oven, but they help your food retain more nutrients and texture than a regular, speed, or microwave oven by adding moisture.
You have to ask yourself if you prefer having faster cooking times or better quality food.
Read More: Speed Ovens vs. Steam Ovens: Which Should You Buy?
Best Speed Ovens for 2021
Gaggenau 400 Series Speed Oven BM485710 - $5,999
The new Gaggenau 400 series speed oven offers 15 automatic cooking programs with four defrosting programs, four cooking programs, and seven combination programs.
What's unique about the Gaggenau speed oven is that it allows you to save individual recipes for easy operation when cooking your favorite meals.
The Gaggenau speed oven offers you broiling, convection, and microwave modes with a max output of 480 degrees.
Unfortunately, Gaggenau's capacity limits its use at 1.3 Cu. Ft. capacity.
Features:
- Handleless door/automatic door opening
- Broiler with a max output of 2,000 W
- TFT touch display
- 15 automatic programs
- 1.3 cu.ft. capacity
- Microwave operation with five output levels: 1000, 600, 360, 180, 90 W.
- Oven operation with four heating modes: – Convection at 100°F from 210°F – 480°F. – Broil + convection from 210°F – 480°F. – Broil + circulated air 210°F – 480°F.
- Heating modes with microwave output levels 600, 360, 180, and 90 W, freely combinable.
Miele M-Touch Series Speed Oven H6700BM - $3,899
The Miele M-Touch speed oven comes in a variety of finishes: clean touch contour-line (swivel handle), clean touch steel purline (straight handle), obsidian black (PureLine handle), truffle brown, brilliant white.
This speed oven can also be found in the Miele 48-inch dual-fuel ranges, the HR1954 for $12,499.
The Miele speed oven is considered one of the best speed ovens because it can be used as a complete oven.
Their M Touch controls are the easiest to use. It has a bake cycle, convection cycle, straight microwave, and a broiler element. They can be used in conjunction with three levels of microwave assistance, 10%, 20%, and 30%.
Miele also uses inverter technology to turn microwaves on and off and offers several special modes and functions such as Pizza, Combi-Auto-Roast, and Convection with Microwave Assistance.
The Miele M-Touch and Sensortronic have the bake element, but the direct select only has convection bake available.
Miele speed ovens are a true 3-in-1 appliance: 1000 watt microwave with Minute Plus and Popcorns buttons.
It also has a convection oven with a broil element and a combination oven using microwaves with a traditional heating element to cook 30% faster.
Miele features a PerfectClean Stainless steel interior preventing spillovers from baking into the surface, and splatters will clean up easier.
Miele's specialty modes include the MasterChef Program, Probe, 19 cooking modes, and 20 favorites (SensorTronic and M Touch only).
The microwave mixing wand eliminates the traditional turntable and allows for more usable space.
There are also adjustable power levels 1-3 (when using microwave assistance), but seven standard power levels for microwave only.
The interface is easy to navigate, and with so many cooking options, you can use this as a smaller capacity oven.
The Pizza Mode will allow you to cook fresh pizzas. Bread will also soften on the inside but still achieve a nice browning and crust on the outside quicker than a regular oven.
The Combi-Auto-Roast mode with a temperature probe allowed me to cook an entire roast with vegetables to a beautiful medium temperature in under 30 minutes.
Features:
- 24" Speed Convection Oven
- 1.52 cu. ft. oven capacity
- 1000 Watt microwave
- 19 Operating modes
- Over 100 Master Chef menu items: The M-touch control panel takes the guesswork out of speed convection cooking
- Broil element
- Rapid preheat feature
- Timer and roast probe
- Can be installed flush
JennAir Speed Oven JMC2430DS - $2,599
This speed oven can also be combined with a convection oven JMW3430DS for $5,099.
The JennAir speed oven is one of the most straightforward in terms of interface and allows you to achieve results similar to a conventional oven but three times faster.
The sensor cook feature detects humidity once your food is in the oven. It then determines the cooking time and power level for optimal results.
The built-in LCD screen is easy to navigate and allows you to see the temperature and mode while cooking.
JennAir speed ovens feature a 900-watt microwave, 1,600-watt broil element, and 1,200-watt convection element.
Speed Cook Convection sets proper power levels for optimal taste/texture, cooking up to 3x faster.
JennAir's specialty modes include Speed Cook, Auto Cook, and Steam Cook.
Also, with "My Creations," you can choose multiple consecutive cooking cycles with different cooking times and power levels to use at one time without having to reprogram the appliance.
The inverter technology adjusts the microwave oven's energy level to deliver continuous but less power, ideal for delicate foods.
There are multiple accessories available to maximize your cooking experience, such as a browning pan, low rack/high rack, and a "claw" to remove your hot pans.
You can adjust the power levels from 10-30% when using microwave assistance. However, there are 10 standard power levels for the microwave only.
There are up to 57 preset Speed Cook modes (more than an entry-level), so this is for the customer who wants a little more. This speed oven is suitable for melting butter or chocolate, plus softening ice cream.
Features:
- JennAir 30" Microwave oven with speed cooking capability
- 1.4 cubic ft oven capacity
- 4.3-inch full-color LCD
- Convection and microwave combination cooking
- Convection fan, broil element, baking element give you perfect cooking results faster.
- Sensor cooking detects humidity released by food as it cooks to adjust the cooking time and power level for optimal results.
- Can be installed flush
- 12 operating modes
Wolf M-Series Speed Oven SPO30PM/S/PH - $2,800
The Wolf speed oven uses microwave, convection, and broil technologies for an all-in-one oven.
You get more cooking power than a traditional microwave with the assistance of convection and broil.
There are ten microwave power levels available and a convenient quick-start mode, and a guided cooking program in Gourmet mode.
The Wolf speed oven at 1.6 Cu. Ft capacity is large enough for a 9-by-13 pan.
You don't need to preheat with Micro Bake and Micro Roast modes.
The efficient drop-down door design frees up counter space.
Features:
- Combines microwave, convection, and broil technologies to provide all-in-one oven versatility
- It fits a 9-by-13 pan in the 1.6 cubic feet, stainless-steel interior.
- Micro Bake and Micro Roast modes reduce or eliminate preheat times.
- Provides more cooking power than a traditional microwave with the help of convection and broil
- Assures predictably delicious results with ten microwave power levels, convenient quick-start modes, and an intuitive Gourmet mode
- Breakdown of modes:
- Popcorn/Beverage/Reheat/Gourmet/Convection/Broil/Auto Defrost/Melt/Soften/Keep Warm/Micro Bake/Micro Roast/Microwave
- Comes in 24" or 30" profile for built-in or under-counter installation
Thermador Speed Oven MC30WP - $2,499
Like Wolf, the Thermador professional built-in speed oven has a 1.6 cu. Ft capacity large enough to fit a 9 x 13-inch pan. Its touchscreen controls and knobs provide a sleek style for your kitchen.
With 36 automatic cooking programs, the Thermador speed oven makes cooking with its convection and microwave power trouble-free.
It also uses sensors and weight control to adjust the timing of your meal.
Features:
- CookSmart® automatic cooking programs with 36 programs
- 1.6 cu. ft. capacity
- Ten levels of microwaveable power
- Flush and standard installation with gray glass on stainless steel
- Stainless steel cooking interior
GE Advantium Speed Oven PSB9120SFSS - $2,249
The GE Advantium has a lot to offer and is available in 120 V or 240 V, depending on your kitchen's existing electrical work.
This is a multi-purpose appliance that uses a 1550 Watt heating element to give you a range of heat anywhere between 250 F and up to 450 F.
The Advantium technology is different from other speed ovens because it uses halogen light to cook the outer layer of the food, similar to a conventional oven.
Then it uses microwaves to speed up the process.
Unlike traditional microwaves that tend to dry out your food, the Advantium technology maintains the natural moisture in your food for better results.
In addition to the Advantium technology, these ovens also offer modes such as speed cooking, convection baking, broiling, toasting, warming, proofing, and can operate as a regular microwave.
The GE Advantium is available in multiple configurations with the basic over-the-range (OTR) model for a similar size to a microwave, a small wall oven install, or a part of a double wall oven install.
With so many options and easy-to-use technology, the Advantium is a great choice for beginners to speed cooking technology.
Features:
- Speed cook oven (240 V) or (120 V)
- Halogen Heat/Microwave/True European Convection/Convection/Broiling/Toasting/warming/proofing
- Over the Range / Single Wall Oven /Combination Double Wall Oven
- 175 Preprogrammed Recipes/Custom Recipe Saver
- Three-speed, 300 CFM venting system (Over the range)
- Advantium technology
Bosch Benchmark Series Speed Oven HMC80252UC - $1,949
This speed oven can also be combined with the convection oven HBLP751UC for $4,399.
I would consider the Bosch speed oven an entry-level, with very basic features.
It features nine preset "speed chef" modes with pre-calculated algorithms for proteins such as meatloaf, chicken, pork, and more.
This speed oven can be used as a microwave, straight convection oven, or a combination of both, plus it has a bake element and a broiler.
This speed oven is great for anyone new to speed ovens.
Bosch speed ovens feature a 1,000-watt microwave with a 1,750-watt broil element and a 1,700-watt convection element.
The combination oven uses microwaves with traditional heating elements to cook 30% faster.
The SpeedChef specialty mode delivers nine preset programs, plus there are Sensor Cook/Sensor Reheat as well as individual "Popcorn," "Pizza," and "Beverage" buttons.
More Modes adds six additional modes for melting and softening with lower power.
There are multiple accessories to maximize your cooking experiences, such as a metal turntable, ceramic turntable, and rack, and ten power levels for microwave only.
Auto Sensor Reheat is interesting in determining the power level and reheat times based on a sensor humidity setting.
The Auto Sensor Cook also determines power level and cooking times based on a sensor setting determining humidity for the most popular microwavable foods such as baked potatoes, fresh/frozen veg, rice, frozen entrees.
Auto Defrost uses microwaves to defrost frozen foods based on the weight of the product entered. However, there are only three options.
Features:
- 30" Speed Convection Oven
- 1.6 cubic ft. oven capacity
- 17,000 Watt Convection
- 1,000 Watt microwave
- 1,750 Watt broil element
- Auto chef cooking cycles take the guesswork out of speed convection cooking
- Ten power levels
- Can be installed flush
- Powered by 220V
- Metal and ceramic turntable
Which Speed Oven Should You Buy?
Miele Steam, Speed, and Wall Ovens at Yale Appliance in Hanover
As you can see, speed convection ovens can be incorporated into your kitchen in several ways.
You can achieve the look of a double wall oven with more versatility, albeit with a smaller interior, or you can even combine the speed convection oven into your range.
Overall, the right speed oven for you depends on your style of cooking.
The GE Advantium speed oven is available in multiple configurations and voltages at various prices, suitable for any budget.
Plus, the familiar interface and controls make this great for anyone new to speed cooking technology.
JennAir's speed oven has a clean design, and the controls are easy to use. I found this product worked well for denser baked goods such as brownies and lasagnas.
Bosch, JennAir, and GE are three affordable luxury brands that made this list.
Of all the brands listed Bosch as the only brand to advertise the wattage of their convection and broil elements.
Bosch Benchmark has been a huge success as a premium product line in a more affordable luxury brand. This speed convection oven offers a lot for the price.
Miele's M-Touch speed oven is one of the most quality-conscious companies out there. Statistically, they are always a top brand in reliability.
The controls are simple to use, so there is no learning curve as there may be with other brands.
It is easy to use and makes anyone a gourmet chef. Also, Miele is the only manufacturer to combine speed cooking technology into their range.
Wolf's speed oven is newer to the market, but a great product.
Wolf is only available in one design but can fit a 24" or 30" space. Gourmet and Micro Bake and Roast are exclusive to this brand and make speed cooking more comprehensive to a beginner.
No matter which speed oven you choose, remember to use non-metallic, microwave-safe cookware when using any microwaves or combination modes with microwave assistance.
If you're using straight convection, oven-safe cookware is recommended. These modes include Convection, Broil, Keep Warm.
Additional Resources
Get the Yale Speed and Steam Oven Guide with features, specs, and inside tips to all the steam and speed ovens like Wolf, JennAir, Thermador, Gaggenau, and more. Well over 900,000 people have read a Yale Guide.
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