Treating a speed oven as a basic microwave throws away the second heating element. The decision between the 2 appliances comes down to how much you bake, whether you need broiling capabilities, and if consolidating them into one 30-inch cutout makes sense. The choice gets difficult when you look at the price tag and wonder which cooking technologies actually justify the added cost over a countertop unit. Guess wrong and you pay for a 30-inch heating box.
By the end, you will know whether to keep your countertop unit, what the convection heating element adds, and which model suits a household that roasts dinner every night. This guide lists 5 options side by side with their cabinet dimensions right next to them. Every unit sits below so you can find the exact match for your wall space.
Upgrade Your Wall Oven Setup
Compare 30-inch models with convection and broiling capabilities to find the right fit for your kitchen space.
Key Takeaways
- Combined Functions: A speed oven pairs microwave energy with convection heating and broiling to cook meals 4 times faster.
- Cabinet Space: These appliances consolidate 2 cooking tools into a single 30-inch cutout, clearing room on the counter.
- Power Requirements: Installation depends on the model, with some units requiring a 120-volt three-prong plug and others needing a hardwired connection.
Understanding Speed Oven Cooking Technology
The magnetron tube in a microwave excites water molecules, while a convection fan circulates hot air to bake evenly. Speed cooking combines this convection with microwave energy to cook food up to 4 times faster without sacrificing browning. At the same time, a rear fan pushes hot air around the cavity. This dual approach keeps the center of a roast moist while the exterior crisps.
Microwave and Convection Together
A speed oven merges 2 distinct heating methods to cut down on prep time. The microwave component handles the internal temperature by penetrating the food directly. The convection fan works the outside of the dish, blowing heated air across the surface. Pairing the 2 means a casserole finishes earlier than it would using just the baking element.
When manufacturers add features like True European Convection, they install a third heating element directly behind the fan. This design forces the air to warm up before it enters the cooking space. The result is an even temperature from the front glass to the back wall. You can put 2 trays in at once and the dishes receive identical heat.
Retaining Moisture and Browning
Baking with heat alone takes time because the temperature slowly penetrates from the outside in. Speed cooking bypasses this delay by sending microwave energy straight to the center of the meal. The food retains more of its natural juices because it spends less time exposed to dry air. You pull out a roast that cuts easily instead of a dried-out block.
Brands apply different names to this process, like the SpeedChef cycles found on Bosch units. These pre-programmed settings calculate the exact ratio of air circulation and wave energy needed for specific dishes. The system hits the exterior with intense heat to create a crust, while the interior finishes cooking through. The combination delivers the texture of an oven with the speed of a microwave.
Can A Speed Oven Replace a Standard Microwave
A 30-inch cutout offers enough room to replace 2 separate appliances with a single unit. Yes, a speed oven functions as a normal microwave while adding convection and broiling capabilities, saving space by combining 2 appliances into one wall cavity. You retain the ability to pop popcorn or reheat coffee using the control panel. When dinner approaches, that same cavity handles roasting a chicken or baking a pie.
Housing 2 separate units requires dedicated cabinet space for a wall oven and counter space for the microwave. Consolidating into a wall oven combo clears the countertop and creates a unified look across the cabinetry. You gain back the work surface you lost to a bulky standalone unit. The single appliance handles all the small daily tasks while acting as a primary cooking tool for heavy meals.
- Roasting capabilities: The combination of an upper broiler and a convection fan allows the unit to crisp the skin on a whole bird while cooking the meat through.
- Smart connectivity: Wi-Fi modules let you start the preheating process from a phone or monitor the remaining cook time from another room.
- Built in microwave functions: The control board retains the familiar 10 power levels and quick-start numbers found on any standalone microwave.
The internal space on these built-in units maxes out at 1.7 cubic feet, which fits a 9-by-13 pan. A household that roasts large turkeys needs to measure the bird against the 20.25-inch cabinet height of the Monogram model. For families who rely on quick weekday meals, the 1.6 cubic foot Bosch cavity provides enough room for heavy dinner dishes. You get the fast dinner turnaround without heating up the kitchen.
Key Factors for Choosing a Speed Oven
Comparing the interior volume and cooking modes side by side helps you determine which model fits your meal prep routine. The table below outlines the capacities and included warranties for each 30-inch unit.
| Product | Capacity | Oven | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Café 30" Electric Speed Oven | 1.7 cu. ft. | Steam Clean, convection, Keep Warm, Proofing Mode, Speed Cook | 1 Year Parts & Labor/5 Year Magnetron Tube |
| Monogram 30" Electric Speed Oven | 1.7 cu. ft. | Steam Clean, True European Convection, Defrost, Sensor Cook, Broiler | 2 Year Limited Parts & Labor/5 Year Limited Magnetron Tube |
| GE Profile 1.7 Cu. Ft. Built In Microwave | 1.7 cu. ft. | Manual Clean, Combination Fast Cook, Roast, Keep Warm, Steam Oven | 1 Year Limited Parts & Labor/5 Year Limited Magnetron Tube |
| Bosch 800 Series 30" Electric Speed Oven | 1.6 cu. ft. | Manual Clean, convection, Sensor Cook, Safety Lock | 1 Year Limited Parts and Labor |
| Wolf E Series 30" Electric Speed Oven | 1.6 cu. ft. | Manual Clean, convection, Keep Warm, Broiler in Oven, Defrost, Speed Cook | 2 Year Full |
Speed Oven Pros and Cons
Adding convection technology to a microwave cavity alters how you plan meals, but the smaller capacity requires some adjustment. Here is how the benefits stack up against the trade-offs.
Pros
Faster Cook Times
Combining microwave energy with hot air circulation finishes a casserole early.
Consolidated Footprint
Placing 2 cooking technologies into one 30-inch cutout frees up valuable counter space.
Better Texture
The convection fan keeps the exterior of a roast crisp while the waves heat the center, preventing rubbery leftovers.
Flexible Installation
Many models fit flush into cabinetry, allowing for a clean look above a matching lower oven.
Cons
Smaller Capacity
At 1.6 to 1.7 cubic feet, the interior holds a 9-by-13 pan but struggles with large roasts.
Higher Upfront Cost
The addition of a second heating element and a fan pushes the price above a standalone microwave.
Learning Curve
Finding the right ratio of hot air to wave energy takes trial and error if you skip the pre-programmed recipes.
Top Speed Ovens for Your Kitchen
Every unit on this list brings a different approach to combination cooking, from full-color touchscreens to dedicated gourmet modes. This guide breaks down the exact dimensions and cooking capabilities for all 5 machines. Read through the specifications below to match a model to your cabinet gap.
Café 30" Stainless Steel Electric Speed Oven
Best for: tech-focused households looking to monitor their baking from another room.
This 30-inch Café unit holds 1.7 cubic feet of capacity inside a stainless steel cabinet. The design packs a microwave and a convection element into a space that measures 20.25 inches high and 22.75 inches deep. You get smart connectivity built into the control board, allowing you to operate the Proofing Mode or the Keep Warm setting over Wi-Fi. The Steam Clean function softens baked-on spills using water vapor, cutting down on manual scrubbing. A full-color display on the glass door handles the Cook Smarter, Not Longer modes.
Top Features
- Capacity: 1.7 cu. ft. total space.
- Smart connectivity: Built-in Wi-Fi Capable board connects to your home network.
- Steam Clean: Uses water vapor to release grease from the interior walls.
- Fit: Measures 30 inches wide by 22.75 inches deep.
Monogram 30" Stainless Steel Electric Speed Oven
Best for: homeowners installing a flush cabinet design who want recipe guidance.
The Monogram Statement Collection machine sits inside a 30-inch wide by 25.38-inch deep chassis and fits flush into a 27-inch wall cabinet. The 1.7 cubic foot interior accommodates a 9-by-13 casserole dish on the rotating turntable. You navigate the 175 preprogrammed recipes using a 7-inch LCD touchscreen, which also displays the feed from the In-Oven Camera. This ADA compliant unit runs True European Convection alongside its Speedcook Modes, letting you switch to the Broiler in Oven or the Sensor Cook function depending on the meal. The smart connectivity links to your phone, and the Steam Clean cycle handles the mess after you pull the food out.
Top Features
- True European Convection: Circulates heated air for even baking across the turntable.
- Controls: A 7-inch LCD Touchscreen Control Display handles the recipe selection.
- In-Oven Camera: Lets you check browning progress on your phone via smart connectivity.
- Warranty: 2 Year Limited Parts & Labor and a 5 Year Limited Magnetron Tube.
GE Profile 1.7 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Built In Microwave Oven with Convection
Shop GE Profile Microwave Ovens
Best for: families needing quick combination cooking for heavy weekday dinner rotations.
This GE Profile unit outputs 975 microwave watts and 1500 convection watts to power the Combination Fast Cook setting. The 30-inch wide by 24.5-inch deep cabinet provides 1.7 cubic feet of capacity behind a glass door. You operate the Steam Oven and Roast cycles through the 7-inch full-color touch LCD screen. The ADA compliant machine includes smart connectivity, a Sabbath mode, and a manual clean interior. You use the warming and proofing oven settings to hold meals at serving temperature.
Top Features
- Power: 975 microwave watts and 1500 convection watts.
- Controls: Glass Touch Controls on a 7-inch color screen.
- Sabbath mode: Keeps the appliance compliant with religious observance guidelines.
- Fit: Measures 20.13 inches high and 24.5 inches deep.
Bosch 800 Series 30" Stainless Steel Electric Speed Oven
Best for: tight layouts requiring a shallow profile and dedicated 120-volt operation.
The Bosch 800 Series measures just 19.63 inches high and 22.38 inches deep, allowing it to match the flush install of a lower warming drawer. The ADA compliant unit runs off a 120-volt NEMA 5-20 three prong plug rather than a 240-volt hardwire connection. Inside the stainless steel cabinet, you get 1.6 cubic feet of capacity and a manual clean cavity. The control board runs the SpeedChef cycles, which use Sensor Cook technology to calculate the right mix of microwave and convection heat. A safety lock keeps the glass door secure during operation.
Top Features
- SpeedChef: Pre-programmed cycles that optimize the cooking time.
- Electrical Connection: Operates on a 120-volt NEMA 5-20 plug.
- Fit: Shallow 22.38-inch depth supports a flush installation.
- Safety Lock: Secures the door while the convection element is active.
Wolf E Series 30" Stainless Steel Electric Speed Oven
Best for: avid cooks wanting precise microwave power increments and heavy broiling.
This Wolf E Series appliance fits a 9-by-13 pan inside its 1.6 cubic foot stainless steel interior. The 30-inch wide by 21.5-inch deep machine includes 2 racks and 2 risers to improve air circulation under your cookware. You select from 10 microwave power levels or engage the intuitive Gourmet mode for guided cooking. The manual clean oven combines microwave, convection, and broil technologies to heat the food. A Keep Warm setting holds your side dishes at temperature, backed by a 2 Year Full warranty.
Top Features
- Accessories: Includes 2 racks and 2 risers for better air movement.
- Gourmet Mode: Intuitive settings that adjust the convection and microwave output.
- Broiler in Oven: Heats the top of the dish for crisp browning.
- Warranty: Protected by a 2 Year Full policy on all parts.
Ready To Upgrade to a Speed Oven
Treating a speed oven as a normal microwave hides the real value of the convection and broiling hardware. Making an informed choice means matching the appliance's capacity and cooking modes to the meals your household actually prepares. When you find the right 30-inch layout, you gain back your counter space while speeding up dinner.
Shop the selection of combination cooking appliances at Slager Appliances to find the right fit for your kitchen. Check the dimensions on the models above and upgrade your wall layout today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Speed Ovens
Yes, a speed oven functions as a normal microwave while adding convection and broiling capabilities, saving space by combining 2 appliances into one 30-inch cutout. The control panel includes the familiar wattage power levels and quick-start numbers you use to heat beverages.
A speed oven is worth the money for your kitchen if you frequently need a second baking cavity but lack the cabinet space for a double wall oven. The appliance commands a higher price than a microwave because it houses a convection fan and a dedicated broiling element.
You need a capacity of 1.7 cu. ft. for a speed oven if you plan to cook large meals, which you can find in the GE Profile model. This interior volume provides enough room to turn a 9-by-13 casserole dish on the glass turntable.
You do not need a built in speed oven if your lower wall oven handles all your baking volume, though adding one gives you a second cavity for side dishes. The smaller upper box heats up faster than a large lower unit, which cuts down on preheating time on busy weeknights.
Convection circulates hot air to bake evenly, while speed cooking combines this convection with microwave energy to cook food up to 4 times faster without sacrificing browning. A cycle like SpeedChef utilizes both the fan and the magnetron tube simultaneously to keep the center moist.
A speed oven does not require special exterior venting because these units are designed to recirculate the air inside the kitchen. The appliance manages its internal temperature through a built-in cooling fan that pushes warm air out of the front grille.
Why Trust Slager Appliances?
Founded over 70 years ago, Slager Appliances is a family-owned, independent appliance retailer based out of Iowa City, IA. Slager has competitive prices and industry knowledge in delivering and installing 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.
Whether you need to replace an old appliance, or if you’re remodeling and need an entire kitchen full of new brand-name products we are with you all the way. We will work with you to find a product that fits your needs, budget, and lifestyle.
Shop Speed Ovens at Slager Appliances
Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today, and shop appliances online at Slager Appliances. Our friendly experts are always happy to help you find the best speed oven for your cooking needs— whether you call us at 319-337-3833, email us, or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by any of our Slager Appliances in Iowa City, IA. Visit us today!