As we look to pare down and keep our kitchen appliances to a minimum, the first thing to go for many people is a toaster. It is the definitive single-use appliance, and it can take up far too much precious counter space.
But we don't want to give up toast, and it seems a waste to turn on the broiler for just a slice of toast to go with a morning egg. Enter the combo microwave oven and toaster.











Oddly enough, I kept my toaster (oven) but tossed the microwave. It took up a lot more room, and I was never happy with its performance, when I bothered to use it at all. Of course, I used it most for reheating already cooked foods, so it was an easy choice for me. I'm sure for people who use the microwave for preparation and cooking, it would make more sense to toss things other-way-round.
view hmr's profile
I have a two in one and I love it. Perfect combo for a small space!
view BGirl99's profile
We gave up the microwave and kept the toaster. We use it almost daily. A microwave takes up a lot more precious space and I haven't missed having one in over 6 years.
view wesaturtle's profile
Hmm, I'm not sure. My boyfriend has one of these combos, and I find that it toasts unevenly and makes the bread kinda soggy. I don't know why. We actually have recently added a stand alone toaster on top of the microwave (a friend was moving to a different country and gave it away for free) because it just does a way better way job at toast, bagels, and especially the occasional toaster waffle.
view cptmoll's profile
We've got a combo convection oven/microwave/grill and use the 'grilling' function for toasting. It's not quite as good as a real toaster, but it's good enough. I would've wanted a toaster oven anyway, and that's more space than the pop-up/slide-in they added.
I have the Sharp Model: SHA R820BK.
view Carrie4Sprycraft's profile
kept the toaster oven, let the micro go
view lizb's profile
I just got back from visiting friends in Tokyo and they had a different style combo machine. It looked like a microwave, but had a toast button. Throw the bread right inside the microwave, onto the built in griddly thing, and hit the "toast" button. It'd do one side, then you'd flip the bread and do the other side. Made 4 slices of perfectly good toast in a reasonable amount of time. I was impressed.
view ChzPlz's profile
We got this microwave about a year and a half ago. It's a great microwave; we haven't had any problems with it since the purchase. My boyfriend mostly uses it for frozen waffles and toast, and it works perfectly for those, as well as the microwave section itself working fine.
view seidhr's profile
I love this micro-toaster. We've had it for about a year and we've never once had any issues with it. Although, I do also have a toaster oven.
view Nix Sidhe's profile
The problem I see with this is that I'm already saving space by having a microwave-rangehood combo. With this, I'd have to use up precious counter space. (I do have a toaster, but compared to a microwave, it takes up no space at all.)
view jarobinson1's profile
i don't have, nor want, a microwave. toaster ovens are perfect.
all i had a few summers ago was a toaster, and it was annoying to warm the entire oven only to heat up the smallest thing, so we stored away the toaster and got a toaster oven.
it's so much better than a microwave. i don't like what microwaves do to food (tastewise, texturewise, nutrientwise).
view kdkaboom's profile
I have used this toaster/micro for 3 yrs now and it is still working great. It's smaller size means you have the toaster, but it doesn't take up more space than a regular microwave. I do have to agree that I don't use the microwave as much as the toaster.
view belgiumifye's profile