I'm getting a range that has a small speed oven and have decided to also get a seperate microwave. I feel that we will mainly use the speed oven as an oven, and I don't want to worry about having a microwave available while the speed oven is in use. I hate giving up space, but i think I would miss having a dedicated microwave.

I'm planning on putting in a Wolf combi steam oven and a Miele speed oven. I was thinking about putting in a regular microwave too. I don't have much room for it though. A counter-top version is not an option because I have even less counter space than I do cabinet space. I could put a M/W drawer instead of a warming drawer at the bottom of the appliance stack, but that certainly makes for a low-down M/W. It would end up about 3-5" lower than counter height.

We probably use the microwave a couple times a day for heating drinks or leftovers -- perhaps this doesn't constitute heavy enough use to found my concerns.

With regards to the question of switching between microwave and oven mode, the reviews of some seemed to indicate this was a multi button step that wasn't intitutive, but perhaps this has been improved on. I also wasn't sure if they all required swapping between the glass plate and wire rack or if that was just the Advantium.

Good question as to whether we'd use the speed features -- we go back and forth on this one, and it's a good reminder to keep it in mind. Now we try to plan our meals so anything that requires a long cooking time, we do it on a weekend or telework day. But I could see it being useful in those cases where we decide at the last minute to throw in a frozen pizza or tater tots or something. It would probably just be a matter of getting used to a new technology and incorporating it into our cooking style.

I have the GE speed cook + microwave over my range. The switch from microwave to another mode requires replacement of the turntable. Cannot use the metal turntable in microwave mode and cannot use the glass turntable in any mode other than microwave. Often times, we end up microwaving something that would be better off on speed cook simply because changing the turntable is a hassle. YMMV.

One of the best pieces of advice I got here was to have a special drawer just for the speed oven trays. I have the Advantium Pro so that's three metal trays, the glass tray and the wire rack. Turns out there's also room for an apron, a couple of potholders and some microwave covers, but it's mostly just the trays. Swapping them is dead easy and I never miss switching modes because it's too much trouble to switch trays. Switching modes on the controls is just a matter of which buttons you select.

My drawer is located right under the oven (and over the warming drawer). This is perfect for me. Another member did the same kind of thing, but put the tray drawer lower down in the stack so that when the drop down door was open, the handle wouldn't block the drawer. I'm organized enough that it isn't an issue for me, but it's a good idea if you have another shallow drawer to put between.

An offline friend has the trays in a drawer at the bottom, with other stuff in it, and hates to swap the trays. Someone else didn't like reaching over the fridge to get the trays. Location is really important! OTOH, one member didn't have anywhere to put the trays but in a bottom space not really near the speed oven but she was determined not to let it deter her, and it worked fine. I think the trays did have their own slot, rather than being mixed with serving platters and cookie sheets. I think that's the really important part.

It is true that the more you use the microwave the more the gizmo that runs it will degrade. That doesn't mean it will fail soon. It means that it won't be as powerful for as long. All microwaves are like that. If you're microwaving stuff all day long, and have a niche for a $100 MW that you can use up and toss, I see the appeal. Especially if you have a passel of kids using it. Speed ovens aren't cheap! But the microwave gizmo should last with a decent amount of power for the projected life of the unit, and part of the point of having three in one is so you don't need more ovens!

If you don't want the speed features, and especially if you have enough room for a separate microwave, just get a small convection oven and a microwave and save yourself a lot of money and worry. I don't use the speed features as much as I projected because some of my cooking needs changed between design and finish of the kitchen, so I, personally, use my Advantium most as a microwave and second as a convection oven, but I do use the speed features, and those are the reason for spending more on a speed oven.

It really is a non issue unless you are using the microwave all day, which it sounds like you aren't. If you want the speed oven, I wouldn't bother with a separate microwave.

@pillog: how tall is your drawer and do you have a photo? My situation is a little different, but the general idea is the same. I am placing a 24" gag convection oven slightly higher than counter level in a tall cabinet. Below it I am placing a mw drawer, but would really like a drawer in between for storing measuring cups, spoons, etc. I'm trying to accommodate a small prep sink in my island, but need to find a way to squeeze in another shallow baking drawer (sink base is replacing 4 drawer stack) In order to do so. My KD is not very receptive to anything that is slightly outside the box, so it's best if I work out details before presenting the idea to her!

Melis, mine is 100% custom. No KD. :) I just presented scale(-ish) drawings to the cabinetmaker, he made real drawings, we tusseled over a few inches, and then reality (had to level the floor and ceiling, and fur out a wall) added, but I got what I wanted. :)

My Advantium trays drawer is 3.5" deep inside and has a 6" slab front. This is the I have of the stack. The angle hides that there's a deep drawer under the warming drawer that's exactly the interior height of my Cuisinart with the bowl on but not the lid. :)

I don't know enough about microwave drawers--I think they have an angled control pad and front that sticks out? If you have the conveection oven mounted proud instead of flush integrated, you'll be able to open the door all the way, which is a good thing (I also have Gaggenau ovens), and it'll match up better if that's the case about the drawer MW.

Your cups drawer will work fine, but there will need to be "shelves" under and over it if it's between the two appliances (the roof over the MW and floor under the oven). Each appliance will need a framed in space prepared for mounting. That may be the KD's problem, if she's used to ordering open oven cabinets and letting the installers worry about it. Someone, either the cabinetmaker or installer, but better both, working together, have to make the space work for the appliances.

You can't see so well in my picture, but there are bars going across the front of the WD space that it's screwed to, and I think there are more in the back or some other kind of structure. All of my ovens have face frames custom cut for them, which they're mounted to, as well as whatever is necessary to hold them in the back. This gives a polished look, and means there are no gaps.

Hope this helps. :)

Thanks for the info pillog! I think this will work for me, but will go over it with the KD and gc. The cabinets I'm getting are semi custom but they can customize anything...as long as I'm willing to pay for it! I am in CA and the finish here on custom, locally made cabinets is terrible, so my #1 priority is getting a well made out of state cabinet with a long wearing finish. I think the mw drawer can be flush; I know the gag can as well but not sure how this affects door opening. I'm doing framed inset cabinets. While my KD is reluctant to accept some of my ideas, she accepts most if they are doable. I just need to be clear about what I want.

Did you see the link to the picture of the stack? It, and its words, seem to be gone! I'm in CA too, but highly allergic to VOC's. My cabinetmaker sourced good quality finishes that wouldn't make me sick or violate the law.

Re flush integrated, most flush integrated appliances are designed for 25" deep, not 24". That can be a problem with stock cabinets, so they stick out an inch. The Gaggenau oven can be mounted flush integrated. The mounting frame is just set back into the cabinet rather than being flush with the frame. The issue then is that the frame limits the swing of the door. That may be fine with you. I often don't open my doors past 90 degrees while cooking, but always do for cleaning. It all depends on what bugs you. I also paid for fancy, stepped hinges on my cabinets so they'd open 170 degrees, rather than 90, so I had my ovens mounted in front of the plane of the cabinets.

Hmmmm. Links are just gone. The new one got swallowed. It might be my security settings having a tizz. :)

@barbja99 - I have the Wolf Combi Steam & the Miele Oven stacked together. I don't think you need a separate microwave. I only use the microwave mode to heat liquids (usu coffee). You'll use your steam oven to heat leftovers - they taste so much better than a microwave. Or you can use the Speed mode in the Miele.

As Pillog suggested, plan nearby, convenient storage for all the trays & racks.

Pillog, my response to you earlier today never posted! Oh well, the gist of it was that although there are some good finishes here in CA, my 12 year old local custom cabs look like they are 112 years old! The finish started deteriorating in less than 2 years, so I am going with a higher end semi custom line that will allow me to customize whatever I want. My #1 priority in this remodel is to have long lasting cabinets.

My oven cabinet will be 26" deep and although the appliances look great flush mounted, I think I would rather have the door open wider for full access if necessary. Thanks for all your input!

You're very welcome. I get it about the cabinets. Nothing like being burned, once. :) Best wishes on your new kitchen.