At a Glance:
Who would have thought downgrading could be so major? We’re talking about speed ovens, of course, the compact cooking appliances that provide ample perks to the home cook and curious culinarian. Despite being on the market for some time now, we still get buyers who are unaware that speed ovens exist or why they should consider one for the home.
We’ve counted six great reasons in this guide, where we give you the breakdown of what a speed oven is, why we love them, and which models we recommend.
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Speed OvensWhat is a Speed Oven?
As the name implies, speed ovens are designed to quickly whip up meals faster than a traditional, full-size oven. The biggest difference between these ovens and regular wall ovens is that speed ovens are two-in-one appliances that can microwave and bake. Speed ovens are compatible with virtually every kitchen since they run on electricity, but buyers are advised to measure how much cabinet space they have available to install one of these appliances.
With that said, speed ovens come in 24”, 27”, and 30” widths to accommodate kitchen sizes from compact to standard. There are also combination wall ovens that feature a speed oven above a wall oven for buyers who want twice the space to bake in an oven without having to upsize to a double wall oven.
With that said, don’t expect the same amount of interior space from a single speed oven as you would from a regular oven. On average, these appliances provide between 1–2 cubic feet of capacity, which is about as much as a countertop microwave.
That might seem like a tradeoff, but there are several reasons high-end kitchen designers choose speed ovens over built-in microwaves.
For instance:
- There’s no need to pre-heat a speed oven.
- Speed ovens cook foods faster than an oven.
- Speed ovens provide a versatile cooking appliance on a single footprint.
- Installing a speed oven provides an extra place to prepare items when the main oven is occupied.
Take a look at our very own Chef Anthony as he demonstrates how to use a Thermador speed oven.
The Cost of a Speed Oven
As we mentioned, speed ovens are mostly seen in high-end kitchens — and that’s for a reason. While microwaves range from below $100 to around $700, speed ovens will cost you about $1,700 for an entry-level model and around $5,200 for one with all the bells and whistles. That, of course, does not include the cost of installation, which is usually around $100 to $200.
6 Best Speed Oven Features
Regardless of price, cooking fans love speed ovens because they are convenient. Not to mention, they’re a major flex. You’d be surprised just how much you can do with one of these appliances, including the following features below.
- Convection
All speed ovens come with a convection baking mode, which can be used to bake desserts, pizzas, and proteins with better results. If you’re familiar with air fryers, then you know just how great convection baking is, but if you’re curious to learn more, check out our quick guide here.
- Sensor Cooking
By monitoring moisture levels and ambient temperature, speed ovens with sensor cooking technology can improve the quality of foods prepared using microwave heating.
- Pre-Set Cooking Modes
Having an oven that knows how long to cook certain foods and at what temperature is a big time-saver. Just press a preset selection and let a speed oven do the thinking for you.
- Grill Function
Select premium speed ovens often feature a grill function. While it’s not exactly grilling with fire, many brands offer results that challenge the output even of pizza ovens. Check out this Advantium speed oven, for example.
- Wi-Fi Compatibility
Looking to get in touch with your culinary journey on a new level? Smart speed ovens make it simple by pairing with a smart device. That gives you free rein to program and monitor your dinner just about anywhere.
- Multi-Tier Cooking
It’s not the flashiest feature, but having a speed oven with a baking rack means you can cook multiple items at once, saving you even more time.
Learn More: What is a Steam Oven?
Our Top Speed Oven Picks
You might want to get your favorite Pinterest recipe page ready. These three speed ovens are sure to get your appetite flowing with their powerful features that make cooking even more joyful. Since most households have a standard 30” oven cutout, we stuck with this size range, but we also carry smaller sizes in our catalog from these brands and more.
Bosch 800 Series 30" Stainless Steel Built In Speed Oven
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If a simple setup is all you need, this Bosch speed oven will provide more than enough performance to assist you during mealtime. As far as cooking goes, this 30” speed oven gives you the power to microwave or convection bake, and it also comes with a cooking rack to use as much of its ample 1.6 cubic-foot interior as possible. This model is fitted in a stunning stainless steel exterior with sleek touch controls, though for about $50 more, you can upgrade to black stainless steel for more drama.
Top Bosch HMC80252UC speed oven review: “The Bosch 800 series Speed Oven is everything they claimed.”
Miele 30" Clean Touch Steel Electric Speed Oven
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For a bolder look in the kitchen, it doesn’t get much better than this black Miele speed oven exclusive to the brand’s ultra-modern PureLine collection. Its expansive glass surface with stainless steel hardware is pure sophistication, but the real stars are its cooking capabilities. Unlike our Bosch pick, this compact speed oven can be programmed to combine cooking microwave and convection in one process, making meal prep even simpler. It also features convection grilling and broiling as part of 12 cooking modes for every side, entrée, and dessert in your repertoire.
Monogram Statement 30" Stainless Steel Electric Speed Oven
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If you’re ready to splurge on one of these specialty ovens, we recommend going for a Monogram speed oven with Advantium technology. This will give you the power to prepare meals five different ways: microwaving, convection baking, toasting, proofing, and precision cooking. You get your money’s worth as far as space goes with a spacious 1.7 cubic-foot capacity large enough to hold standard casserole dishes. Its beautiful design with LCD controls looks just as intelligent as the built-in Wi-Fi compatibility smart speed oven provides.
Top Monogram ZSB9232NSS speed oven review: “This oven has become the work horse of my kitchen! It is very highly recommended to any serious cook.”
Upgrading to a speed oven does require a bigger budget, but making the transition means having more cooking performance than a kitchen with a standard microwave. On the other hand, homeowners that don’t cook often substituting full-size wall ovens for speed ovens in exchange for more cabinet space. In any case, speed ovens are worth exploring if you love to cook or simply want a kitchen with the latest cooking gadgets.
When it comes to Pittsburgh appliance stores with the best speed ovens, you can count on Don’s Appliances. With over 10 speed oven brands to choose from, we offer a wide selection of styles, sizes, and price options to suit your budget and needs. Explore more online or in-store today!
FAQs
When it comes to speed ovens, our shoppers have a lot of questions, including these common curiosities below.
Are speed ovens worth it?
Speed ovens are convenient cooking appliances that are best for busy kitchens that could benefit from some multitasking. At their peak, speed ovens can cook foods five different ways and offer the most versatility to quickly prepare a number of entrées and side dishes in a fraction of the time.
How big are speed ovens?
While speed ovens share the same dimensions as wall ovens in widths between 24–30 inches, capacities will differ. The average speed oven will provide around 1.6 cubic feet of capacity.
What is the difference between a speed oven vs microwave?
For one, speed ovens are all built-in appliances, while microwaves can be purchased as countertop appliances or built-in units. Additionally, microwave ovens can only heat food one way, but speed ovens can prepare meals two to five different ways, depending on the model.
Why Trust Don’s Appliances?
Founded in 1971, Don’s Appliances is a family-owned, independent appliance retailer based out of Pittsburgh, PA. Don’s has since expanded to 10 locations selling, delivering, installing, and servicing all major appliance brands. Large enough to offer competitive pricing yet small enough to continue offering the “white glove” service we pride ourselves on, our focus is always on the customer experience — from the first step into a showroom to the purchase transaction to well after your new appliance has been installed.
When our customers are remodeling or building a new house, Don’s has all the expertise, product knowledge, inventory, brands, displays, and services to meet and exceed your needs. And in the event an appliance breaks, we are there, right on time and with the right product, delivery, installation, and service.
Shop Speed Ovens at Don’s
Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today, and shop cooking appliances online at Don’s Appliance. Our friendly experts are always happy to help you get familiar with speed ovens — whether you call us at 866-544-1711, email us, or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by any of our Don’s Appliances Pittsburgh, PA warehouse locations. Visit us today!
Learn More: Our Best Convection Oven Picks