Ultimate Guide to Combi Ovens 2025

Combination ovens—often known simply as combi ovens—are becoming increasingly popular in modern households, largely due to the flexibility they provide when compared to standard ovens. Through three different technologies combi ovens are capable of cooking your favourite foods in multiple ways, ensuring that the full flavour and nutrients are present in each and every dish. 

But what makes combi ovens so special? How do they work, what are their key features, and how can you find the right combi oven for your kitchen? In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about these innovative appliances, including why they might just transform the way you cook!

A combi oven is a versatile cooking appliance designed to provide consistent, high-quality results by combining three primary cooking methods: convection, steam, and a combination of both. This flexibility allows the appliance to deliver precise, even cooking while improving flavours and textures.

Beware of Similar Terminology!

Be careful not to confuse the following terms, which are very similar but refer to distinctly different types of kitchen appliances:

• “Combi oven” - Combi ovens are the focus of this guide and are used to describe ovens that include multiple cooking options, such as steam cooking, with the ability to use multiple methods simultaneously. 

• “Combi oven with microwave” - Whilst this type of appliance includes the ability to microwave food, the primary cooking component in this type of appliance is an oven. 

• “Combi microwave oven” (also referred to as a “combi microwave)”. The primary cooking component in this type of appliance is a microwave oven. You can learn more about combi microwave ovens here.

At the heart of a combi oven’s functionality are its convection fans and steam injection system. The convection fans circulate hot air around the food, ensuring even heat distribution and consistent cooking, while the steam mode adds moisture to the oven cavity, which is ideal for delicate dishes as it prevents them from drying out while maintaining nutrients and enhancing flavours. The ability to control both the temperature and humidity levels gives you complete precision over your cooking process, providing the best results for different types of dishes.

The Three Main Cooking Modes

1. Convection Mode: This cooking mode will be the most familiar, as it is the main function of standard fan ovens. Hot, circulating air is used to roast, bake, or brown food evenly, reducing the chance of hot spots. 

2. Steam Mode: Steam is injected into the oven chamber from a water reserve to retain moisture and preserve the flavour and texture of more delicate foods, such as vegetables or fish. Steam combi ovens will use a built-in boiler system (often called “Hydronic”) or will be boilerless (injection steam).

3. Combination Mode: Perhaps the most innovative feature, combination mode uses both convection heat and steam to cook food quickly while preserving its tender properties and achieving a crispy finish. 

As touched on above, some of our combi ovens also feature a microwave mode, which allows for even faster cooking. This feature is particularly useful for reheating or defrosting food, adding an extra layer of convenience for those who want to speed up their cooking processes!

Combi ovens are highly beneficial appliances, especially when compared to traditional ovens! Let’s take a closer look at the best benefits:

• Versatility: Suitable for a wide range of cooking tasks, from steaming and baking to roasting and grilling.

• Energy Efficiency: Cooking food more quickly and precisely can lead to lower energy consumption, contributing to cost savings in your energy bills.

• Faster Cooking: The combination of steam and convection heat accelerates the cooking process, reducing cooking times by up to 40% - perfect for hungry households after a busy day! 

• Improved Food Quality: The precise control of humidity and temperature helps maintain moisture in dishes, resulting in juicier meats and more flavourful vegetables.

• Eliminates Smell Cross Contamination: Combi ovens are designed to prevent the transfer of flavours and smells between different dishes cooked simultaneously.

Using a combi oven opens up more opportunities to perfect some of your favourite dishes, using its convection, steam, and combination modes to create mouthwatering meals for all your family. If you’re wondering what works best in this appliance, here are some examples:

• Breads and Pastries: Achieve bakery-quality loaves of bread, croissants, and cakes with a perfect crust and moisture interior. 

• Roasted Meats and Poultry: Cook succulent roasts with a crispy exterior and juicy centre, such as beef, lamb, or chicken. Hotspot worries are a thing of the past!

• Steamed Vegetables and Seafood: Preserve nutrients and flavours in dishes like steamed broccoli, sea bass, or salmon.

• Casseroles and Gratins: Prepare popular dishes like lasagna, potato gratin, or macaroni cheese with even cooking and a golden top. 

• Desserts: Create indulgent post-dinner treats such as puddings, custards, or fruit tarts with precise temperature control. 

Physical Size or Capacity:

When selecting a combi oven for your family, the biggest consideration is typically size—would a full-size or compact combi oven fit your kitchen best?
For example, full-size combi ovens - such as Smeg’s 60cm Omnichef - are best for larger families or those who regularly entertain guests.

While, compact models like Smeg’s 45cm Steam100 Pro are ideal for small households or kitchens with limited space. 

Budget:

Naturally, combi ovens with more intuitive features, such as those with a microwave function, will cost more than those with a more limited scope of features to choose from. A combi oven may seem like a larger up-front expense since you’re essentially gaining three appliances in one, but it’ll likely save you money in the long term through greater energy efficiency. 

Installation Location:

Finally, consider whether your appliance should be in-column or under-counter. Built-in in-column combi ovens are integrated into your existing kitchen cabinetry, creating an aesthetically pleasing look. Alternatively, an under-counter unit might be preferred instead, giving you the flexibility to move the appliance where you feel is best.

How is a combi oven different from a traditional or fan oven?

Traditional ovens use conventional cooking methods, heating food from two separate heating elements at the top and bottom of the appliance, but don’t include an integrated steam feature. 

Fan ovens use a singular fan at the back of the oven cavity to circulate hot air for more even cooking, but they also do not feature a steam system. 

However, combi ovens combine three different technologies to cook food faster, using convection heating and steam to provide better results.

Are combi ovens energy-efficient?

Yes, combi ovens are considered to be energy-efficient since they cook food faster than traditional and fan ovens by using inverter technology, a method of cooking that provides a steady stream of power to cook food evenly and consistently, reducing the amount of wasted energy that your oven produces. Combi ovens also typically require very little preheating, so your appliance won’t be using energy for as long, too. 

Do combi ovens need extraction hoods?

We recommend that you install an extraction hood for your combi oven since it can produce steam and smells, just like any other oven. Although some models feature double chimney technology, which generates unique airflow inside the oven’s cavity, proper ventilation should always be maintained for a safer kitchen. 

How do you clean a combi oven?

Some combi oven models come equipped with self-cleaning functions, such as Smeg’s eco-friendly VaporClean function (where burnt-on food is released from the oven walls by hot water vapour). 

For manual cleaning, you should remove trays and racks, wipe down surfaces, and clean the door seals, avoiding abrasive cleaners to protect the oven's finish. Always refer to the manufacturer's guidelines for the best results.

Can a combi oven replace a microwave?

Combi ovens that contain a microwave function can replace traditional standalone microwaves, saving space in your kitchen. 

Transform your kitchen to make every meal preparation as simple as possible with Smeg’s innovative combi ovens. From baking perfect pastries to steaming delicate vegetables, our versatile appliances offer the best level of precision for the ultimate cooking experience. Explore our range of combi-ovens today or browse our authentic recipes for cooking inspiration.