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Sunday, September 13, 2009

How to Use a Combi Oven

Have you seen this oven (or something similar?)

Toshiba Combination Microwave Convection Oven

Toshiba combination microwave convection oven

When we moved into our house in Kuching, we found that it was completely furnished. The owner had moved out with the intention that she might possibly move back in, so she left all the furniture, and all the pots, pans, dishes, glasses and cutlery. She also left the fridge, the washing machine, the rice pot, and this combination microwave convection oven.

Huh? Wuzzat?

Readers of this blog know that Annie loves to use the oven. Back in San Jose, we had an electric range with a large oven underneath. With it, she could bake scones and layer cakes, roast lamb shanks, braise chicken, broil salmon collars…the list goes on. (Just check out all the items under the “Baked” category on the sidebar!)

In our kitchen here in Kuching, the house does not come with a built-in oven. It only has a gas stove (two burners) and this countertop combination microwave / convection oven. We plugged it in, and found that it still turned on. (Of course, there was no instruction manual to be found)

We managed to figure out the microwave part of it and have used it to reheat our leftover food. But what has us stumped is the convection oven part.

Toshiba Combi Microwave / Convection Oven

Toshiba Combination Microwave Convection Oven panel

How exactly does “Combi” work? Why are there Convec.1 and Convec. 2 settings? Can we actually use this to cook some of our favorite oven recipes? Is it even worth keeping?

Toshiba Combi Microwave Convection Oven

IMG_9256

All these questions, but no one we’ve asked here in Kuching has offered a straight answer.

Help!

So we need some help from you, dear reader. Can you tell us how to work this combination microwave convection oven? Please, leave a comment!

If you don’t know, maybe someone you know has the answer. Would you Stumble, Tweet, or share this post on Facebook or any online forum you are active on?

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‘Cause we really want to get baking again.

Aloha, Nate and Annie.

I’m sure people out there can help us get baking again, and once we do, we’ll continue posting our baking recipes. Don’t miss a thing! So subscribe to our blog now to receive all our latest posts to your RSS reader or to your Inbox!

14 Comments:

K and S said...

my oven/micro is similar, I found that I can bake but only on top of the turntable, nothing square. My element runs along the side and back, nothing on the front, so something square would be black around the edges and not baked in the middle. I now limit what I bake to what fits on the turntable. As for Con1 Con2, not sure about that, maybe you could google for an online manual?

Annie said...

@K&S - thanks. We did google for a manual, but the oven is so old, none exists. People want to charge $40 to search for it. So, round things that fit on the turntable. Any recipes in particular you'd care to share?

K and S said...

wow! $40 for the manual, unbelieveable...as for recipes, I just cut whatever I am baking/cooking down. Like I usually do 6 muffins (because 1 muffing pan can spin on the turntable). anyway, I hope someone has the exact model and can give you more tips!

GG said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
GG said...

Hello, I used to live in Kuching. I would go to an appliance shop that sells something similar and asks how to use it. Also, the malls usually carry such appliance and I am sure you can have a look at their manual if you ask the saleman to open the box for you. I don't know where you are staying but Carpenter Street, India Street and Padungan Area are some places of interest to visit for tourist. They have lots of shops/malls and food hawkers/coffee shops. Hope that helps.

Anonymous said...

This model seems very old. The oven don't look so clean anyway.

Get a new one. When you move, you bring along with it.

Dena said...

Years ago, I had a microwave/convection oven and I loved cooking with it. Mine had a turntable and a rack. I'm not familiar with this particular model so I don't know what the difference is between Conv1 and Conv2. Perhaps it allows you to cook two separate items at once using two different timers. Good luck!

Anonymous said...

I have something similar from Panasonic.
I believe Conv 1 is for baking 1 layer of food (typically the lower rack), while Conv2 is for 2 layers.

Once I choose Conv 1 (for example) I would be asked to set the temperature and the combi oven would start to 'preheat' itself once I click on "Start".

After it reaches the temperature, I would put whatever I wish to bake inside, close its door, set the timer, and press on Start again.

Not sure if this would come in useful for you. Good Luck!

alysia said...

apparently the combi function microwaves and bakes your food at the same time. So no using foil or any metallic bakeware.

http://www.sharpusa.com/ForHome/HomeAppliances/MicrowaveOvens/~/media/Files/Downloads/ForHome/HomeAppliances/MicrowaveOvens/Manuals/mic_man_R930CS.ashx

In the link it tells you about the one layer and 2 layer thing. So as someone else said, convec 1 and 2 are probably referring to the layers. I know that the manual isn't for your specific combination oven, but I think it might be useful. Hope it helps!

alysia said...

Forgot to say that a newer one might be a lot faster than the current one you guys have.

ella said...

I've considered getting a combi for convection baking, but I'm always leery of things that claim to do more than 1 thing well. When I lived in Dublin, the stove had 2 gas burners and 2 electric burners. The washer/dryer was all one unit, no instruction manual. I figured out how to wash clothes but how to dry them remains a mystery.

Irene said...

See you tomorrow ;)

Carolyn Jung said...

I wish I could send you a dozen PG&J cupcakes. ;)
I can't even imagine what it's like with only this tiny gizmo for a working oven. And you, who LOVES to bake, too! I hope you can figure out how to work it. You might not be able to fit a Thanksgiving turkey in there, but at least you can satisfy your cravings for homemade baked goods at least a little bit.

Nate @ House of Annie said...

@All - thanks for your comments!

@GG - thanks, we'll be visiting India and Carpenter Streets soon!

@Anonymous and others - I think we'll either have to buy a new oven or go to other friends' houses to bake in theirs. The second option would be more likely, and more fun!