Are you saying that you don't have enough room for a separate wall oven but that you can do an oven under the counter? Or are you talking about the second oven in the pantry area instead of the microwave? I wasn't clear from your post.

Assuming that what you mean is that you can't do a regular wall oven but can do an undercounter, here are my thoughts, because I was in a similar situation. I ended up with a 36" range (Blue Star) and a Miele speed oven.

I wanted a second oven for the same reasons you do. It didn't make any sense to me to spend a lot on a remodel and not get a second oven. I also wanted to get rid of the OTR microwave and get a real hood. I liked the idea of the drawer microwaves, but couldn't justify so much real estate for a one-trick pony.

So enter the speed oven. First, it is a 24" oven so unless I am cooking for a lot of people or doing batches of cooking or something, it can work as my primary oven. It convection bakes, broils (don't use that much), defrosts and does combination functions which allow speed cooking of things like roast chicken, baked potatoes, casseroles and other things.

Second, the oven is electric so it is a nice complement to the gas range. It is especially nice in the summer.

We didn't look at steam ovens because I didn't want to deal with the plumbing and I wanted the microwave function. I am not aware of steam ovens that microwave as well, but maybe I am mistaken.

If you are talking about putting the microwave in the pantry and having a speed oven or a steam oven undercounter, then you can go either way, but the steam oven might be a good choice. People seem to like them for reheating and for all-around cooking. If the undercounter oven is meant to take the place of the microwave, then the speed oven is probably the better choice.

If you do go with a speed oven undercounter, be aware that on the Advantiums, the higher-powered one cannot be installed undercounter.

If what you want is an second, smaller oven, it would be vastly cheaper to get a range with double (convection) ovens in it (the top oven in those is smaller -- heats up faster) and have a normal microwave in the pantry.

You could get a double ovens range and a basic microwave for $1100. Speed ovens are, like, $2000? $3000? I don't even know -- it was something ridiculous last time I looked.

Some of the countertop convection ovens are pretty great and can hide in the pantry when not in use if you want a spare small oven.

I am doing a range oven and speed oven in this remodel...and a microwave I can dump if I don't actually need it with a speed oven. The speed oven is built in though, and I don't know how that would work with your pantry setup.

For years I've only had and needed one oven. I keep meaning to buy a Breville convection countertop oven, but haven't gotten around to it yet. I understand Cuisinart even makes a countertop convection steam oven, so if that's of interest, you could put it in your pantry.

I have the same setup as nycbluedevil, 36" BS range, Miele speed oven. We chose the speed oven for the same reasons: we didn't have room for a wall oven, wanted a second oven (a 36" oven takes awhile to heat up), and it has a microwave, which we don't use very often, but wanted for the occasional times we do need one. Hence the speed oven-meets all our wants! I can't comment on how the speed oven works, as we have it on site but it's not installed yet. We use our oven (we had a 30" range prior to remodel) a lot for roasting veggies, broiling fish, frittatas in the morning. So an oven that will heat up quickly is ideal for us.

The speed oven is great for roasting vegetables because the convection helps caramelize them really nicely. I don't typically make frittatas but I am sure it would work well for that. For broiling fish, I think the BS broiler is a much better choice. I just made the most beautiful broiled salmon tonight under that broiler. I have only used the broiler in the speed oven for tuna melts and stuff like that.

I too think I've been hanging around here more than I should as I am finding all sorts of things that I never knew existed, and now feel that I cannot live without. I've read that the steam ovens are amazing - particularly for bread, but I don't make bread often enough to justify the steam oven. I know it's good for veggies, but then so is my steaming basket in my pot on the stove. I hear it's good for cakes and meats, but so is my pressure cooker. I guess I'm saying that it's probably not something that I need to spend thousands on for the oven, only to have to pay who knows how much for the plumber to hook it up.

I think I would likely get more use out of a speed oven. Something that is both a microwave and a small convection oven seems like a better bang for the buck in my house. The downside is that if I am using it to cook in, I don't have the use of it as a microwave, but then again how often would I be using 2 ovens and a microwave at the same time? Rarely. Again, lots of dollars and I'm not sure it's the right solution either. I wonder if the Breville oven or one of the portable convection/steam/microwaves might be the best choice?

Wow, so many great responses!

@nycbluedevil - I will be putting my microwave in the pantry/laundry area and was wondering which of the combo ovens would be best for my needs. No good space for an undercounter one in the kitchen. I obviously didn’t do any research about steam ovens. Plumbing? Well, makes sense since it makes steam but didn’t think about that extra expense and hassle. Thanks for the explanation of how they work.

@Jillius - Last August, a range at a rental died. Instead of getting a new, inexpensive range for it, we moved my range there and I got a new slide-in (to not block the view to the glassblocks). Unfortunately, I didn’t really have time to do a lot of research and wish that I had thought to get a double-oven. At that time, I wasn’t yet active here at GW or I probably would have probably thought of it. Oh, well. Too late to change that now. I didn’t realize speed ovens were that expensive!! Oh, my. I guess I should have checked prices before asking about them. To justify that cost, they would have to be able to do the grocery shopping and do window, too!

@fori & @sjhockeyfan - I’ll check out the countertop Breville and Cuisinarts. Those sound more likely to meet my needs than a built-in. And more budget-friendly. I don’t need a built-in, just something for a counter or a shelf.

@malabacat - The quick heat feature sounds wonderful. I hope you enjoy your new speed oven. I’m jealous, lol.

@laughable - As said above, already got a new range and, darn it anyway, wish I had thought to get a double-oven then. I do a lot of squats and lunges in my exercise program so I could have practiced them when using the lower oven, lol. I never thought of a roaster and didn’t realize you could use them for things like soup. Interesting. I checked out the link. I didn’t know you could bake in them, too. Wow. This sounds like a viable option I had never considered. I think my MIL has one. I’m sure she doesn’t use it much so I think I’ll ask to borrow it and play with it before deciding. Thanks for this recommendation.

@sherri58 - I know! Years ago I learned to not shop as a recreational activity because it just made me lust for things I really didn’t need anyway. I’m loving the amazing kitchen design ideas here and the helpful advice is incredible! I couldn’t afford to pay for such good advice. But, like you, I’m learning about all sorts of fun stuff and I’m lusting. Well, I guess kitchen lust is less dangerous than other kinds of lust, right? ;)

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Well, now that I’ve actually priced steam and speed ovens, I’m considering other options. I think the countertop microwave/convection ovens are a better fit for my budget and will give me the options I need the most. Or I might just get a small microwave and a toaster oven. And might add that Nesco roaster. There are lots of inexpensive options, it seems. While I love the idea of the steam and speed ovens, they’re outside of my budget right now but I’ll sure keep tabs on them for the future and hope prices come down.

Thanks for all your input. Very helpful.