If you’re planning a new kitchen or upgrading your appliances, you’ve probably come across the term built-in combi microwave oven. They’ve become one of the most popular space-saving appliances in modern kitchens, yet many homeowners aren’t entirely sure what they actually do.

In this post, I’ll break down what a built-in combi microwave is, how it works, what you can cook in one, and whether it’s worth buying. I’ll also compare it to a standard microwave so you can decide which is right for your space.

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What Is a Built-In Combi Microwave Oven?

A built-in combi microwave (or combination microwave oven) is an appliance that combines traditional microwave heating with convection oven technology.

In simple terms, it can:

• Microwave food (like a standard microwave)
• Bake or roast using a built-in fan oven
• Grill using a heating element
• Combine these functions for faster and more even cooking
  
  

Because it’s built into a tall cabinet, it blends seamlessly with the rest of your kitchen and frees up worktop space.

Think of it as a compact oven that also happens to reheat your soup in two minutes.

What Are the Standard Sizes of Built-In Combi Microwave Ovens?

Built-in combi microwave ovens come in a few standard sizes, which makes planning your cabinetry much easier. Most manufacturers follow the same general dimensions, so the appliances fit into typical kitchen housing units.

1. Width
The standard built-in width is 595 mm.
This aligns with the standard width of most built-in ovens, allowing you to stack a combi microwave above a single oven in a tall housing if you wish. Almost all mainstream brands (Bosch, Neff, Siemens, AEG, Samsung, etc.) follow this size.

2. Height
This is where combi microwaves vary the most. You’ll typically see two main height options:

• Compact height: around 450 mm
  The most common size. Fits into standard 45 cm appliance housings and is ideal for combining with a full-size oven beneath it.
• Full height: around 595 mm
  Less common for combi microwaves, but available. These match a full oven in height and are good if you want a symmetrical oven bank or prefer a larger cavity.
  
  

3. Depth
Most built-in combi microwaves are 540–550 mm deep, designed to fit into standard 560–580 mm deep oven housings. The unit front will sit flush with nearby cabinetry to maintain a clean, built-in appearance.

4. Internal Capacity
The cavity size ranges from 30 to 50 litres, depending on height.

• 45 cm compact models: typically 30–35L
• Full-height models: usually 40–50L
  
  

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What Is the Difference Between a Microwave and a Combi Microwave?

A standard microwave can only heat food using microwave energy. It’s great for reheating leftovers, defrosting, or cooking simple items.

A combi microwave goes a step further.

Feature	Standard Microwave	Combi Microwave Oven
Main Functions	Microwaves food only	Microwaves + grills + convection oven cooking
Cooking Methods	Reheating, defrosting, simple cooking	Baking, roasting, grilling, crisping, browning, reheating, defrosting
Internal Result	Doesn’t brown or crisp food	Crispy, browned, oven-like results
Energy Efficiency	Very efficient for reheating	More energy-efficient for small oven tasks
Typical Built-In Size	38–45 cm height, 60 cm width, 30–40 cm depth	45 cm height, 60 cm width, 50–55 cm depth
Internal Capacity	Smaller (17–25 L average)	Larger (25–45 L average)
Price Range	£80–£300 (freestanding) / £150–£450 (built-in)	£300–£1,200+
Best For	Quick reheating and simple meals	People who want a second oven or space-saving multi-function appliance

With a combi, you can grill chicken, bake bread, crisp pizza or roast vegetables. Things a normal microwave simply can’t replicate.

If you want something that behaves like a small oven as well as a microwave, the combi wins every time.

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How Do You Use a Combi Microwave Oven?

One of the best parts is the flexibility. You can choose:

Microwave Mode

For quick reheating, defrosting, or simple microwave meals.

Oven (Convection) Mode

Works just like a traditional fan oven, but in a smaller size. Use this for baking, roasting, or cooking dishes that need dry heat.

Grill Mode

Great for browning, crisping, melting cheese, or finishing dishes.

Combination Mode

This is the magic setting. It uses microwave energy and oven heat at the same time.

Why is that useful?

It cooks food faster than a traditional oven, but still gives you the browning and crisping you normally wouldn’t get from a microwave. Perfect for weeknight meals when you want real oven results without waiting 30 minutes for preheating.

Most models have presets for things like:

• Roast chicken
• Pizza
• Jacket potatoes
• Lasagne
• Grilled fish
• Cakes and pastries

Using these modes becomes second nature pretty quickly.

What Can You Cook in a Combi Microwave Oven?

Pretty much anything you’d cook in a standard oven, but quicker.

Here are some examples:

• Roasted vegetables
• Chicken breasts or whole small chickens
• Lasagne, pasta bakes and casseroles
• Pizza (crispy, not soggy)
• Bread, muffins and cakes
• Oven chips or wedges
• Grilled fish
• Toasted sandwiches or gratins
• Jacket potatoes with crispy skin
  
  

Plus, of course, you can still use it for:

• Reheating meals
• Defrosting
• Steaming veg
• Heating soups
  
  

If you have a small kitchen or you don’t want two full ovens, a combi can easily act as your main oven for everyday cooking.

Is It Worth Buying a Combi Microwave Oven?

In my opinion, yes, for most kitchens, a combi microwave is absolutely worth it. Here’s why:

1. It Saves Space

Instead of having a microwave and a compact oven, one appliance does both.

2. It Speeds Up Cooking

Combination mode dramatically reduces cooking times while still giving crispy, browned results.

3. It’s Great for Small Households

Singles, couples, and busy families often find themselves using the combi far more than the standard oven.

4. It Adds Real Flexibility to a Kitchen Layout

If you’re planning a bank of built-in appliances, a combi microwave + shallow warming drawer pairs perfectly with a full-size oven side by side, or having a combi oven above a full-size oven gives you plenty of cooking clout without taking up too much space.

5. It Reduces Energy Use

Because it’s smaller and heats up faster, it uses less energy than a full oven for everyday meals.

The only scenarios where a combi microwave might not be worthwhile are:

• You regularly cook for large groups and need maximum oven space
• You prefer simpler controls and rarely bake or grill
• You already have two full-sized ovens

But for most modern homes, it’s one of the most functional appliances you can add.

Final Thoughts

A built-in combi microwave oven is more than just a microwave; it’s a compact, versatile, and powerful cooking appliance that can handle everything from reheating leftovers to roasting a chicken.

If you’re designing a new kitchen or want to add flexibility without sacrificing space, a combi microwave is well worth considering. It combines convenience with real cooking performance, and once you get used to the combination mode, you may wonder how you ever lived without it! 😃

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