Kitchen Product Review: Need For SpeedSpeed-cooking ovens promise versatility, quality results, and convenience.

Not surprisingly, many busy homeowners don't cook much. When they do manage to prepare a meal for family and friends time still is of the essence, but they aren't willing to sacrifice the food quality just to get something on the table fast. That's why speed-cooking ovens can be a valuable addition to the kitchen because they offer a time-saving solution that also promises top-quality cooking results.

While not a new concept, new speed-cooking models combine technologies to accommodate the needs of the everyday cook and the entertainer alike. Some speed ovens unite standard convection heat and microwaves while others employ a halogen- or quartz-light heat source combined with microwaves. Still others merge radiant, convection, and microwaves, and at least two models use a commercial air impingement system that forces hot air through jets at high speeds into the oven cavity, assisted by microwaves.

Maintaining cooking quality at fast speeds requires locking in moisture and caramelizing the food's exterior, according to manufacturers, and regardless of the technologies, all speed ovens aim to achieve both.

"In addition to time savings, consumers often find that their food comes out more tender and moist than when cooked in a conventional oven. Less time exposed to hot dry air often means that more moisture can be retained in the food," points out Allison Eckelcamp, public relations program manager for GE.

Most speed oven controls feature programs that automatically choose the optimal combination of cooking modes, setting the microwave level and duration, air temperature, and time. Although control panels walk the user through the steps to set the cooking functions, there is a learning curve.

"When convection ovens first came on the scene, it was difficult for people to adjust their cooking habits. The same adaptations will have to happen here," says Matthew Kueny, head of Miele product development.

Kitchen designer Florence Perchuk of Designs by Florence Perchuk, Ltd. in New York City says eventually home cooks will make the switch. "Having both handy and in one compartment makes a tremendous savings on time and energy of food preparation," she says.

Cooking times are automatically converted from standard to speed settings, and several speed oven models have pre-programmed menus built into the control system as well. Some programs even let the cook save favorite recipe settings and set cooking modes manually.

No Preheating

Besides shortening cooking times, speed ovens save time up-front by eliminating or reducing the pre-heating period required by conventional ovens, according to Stefan Zipper, product manager for Thermador. But time savings vary from model to model. Manufacturers claim that their units cook four to 15 times faster than conventional ovens; some even claim to reduce cooking time by nearly 50 percent.

Speed ovens are available as over-the-range microhoods, small and standard-sized single wall ovens, and double wall ovens. Some operate off 120-volt connections, but several require 240 volts.

Although they are typically incorporated into kitchens as secondary appliances, many speed ovens offer greater convenience and cooking versatility with independent convection, broil, and microwave modes.

Perchuk says she recommends speed ovens where she used to specify a second wall oven because they save space and add more flexibility and efficiency than a second conventional oven. "When you explain to them that you can do so-called normal cooking you don't have to do the microwaving/speed aspect and do it in a timely manner, the attraction is a very real one," she says.

In an urban loft where both an oven and a microwave are desired but impractical due to space limitations, a speed oven can be the ideal solution. Even in the most high-end homes, installing only a speed oven can be practical. Speed ovens from Miele, for example, will be offered in the 50 custom properties built on the Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., according to Andy Lemke, vice president of real estate sales.

"Someone that really likes to cook a lot and wants the flexibility to cook a bit quicker would go with the [speed-cook oven] as opposed to the industrial-style ovens," Lemke says.

--This story first appeared in Custom Home magazine. Lindsay Kishter contributed to this report.

Electrolux

Electrolux. The Icon Designer and Professional Series high-speed wall ovens combine microwave and convection systems to bake, brown, grill, or roast foods up to 50 percent faster, while also offering independent convection and microwave modes. The 240-volt high-speed ovens feature 84 pre-programmed recipes and cooking selections, in addition to an easy-to-navigate control panel. 877-435-3287. www.electroluxusa.com.

Miele

Miele. Offering microwave and convection cooking modes in addition to speed-cooking functions, the Miele MasterChef speed oven can cut cooking time by two-thirds, the manufacturer says. Its large cavity allows several dishes to be prepared simultaneously. Cooks can use pre-programmed automatic cooking selections or set options manually, and also can save customized cooking times in the oven's Favorites program. 888-346-4353. www.miele.com.

Sharp Electronics

Sharp Electronics. Pre-programmed to cook 200 foods and time-saving recipes, the Sharp R-90GC high-speed oven utilizes a 2,900-watt hot-air circulation system that moves air in two directions and is assisted by microwaves to bake, roast, brown, and grill foods up to five times faster than a conventional oven. The 1.1-cubic-foot high-speed oven operates as a speed oven, a convection oven, and a microwave oven. A pull-down door makes installing it anywhere in the kitchen easy. 800-237-4277. www.sharpusa.com.

Whirlpool

Whirlpool. The Velos SpeedCook over-the-range oven combines a quartz and halogen light, providing the ability to grill, brown, and bake in a fraction of the time in addition to the conveniences of a traditional microwave. A heating coil offers the option of convection cooking. An interior cavity of 2 cubic feet allows for a large turntable and bi-level cooking rack, and multiple filters and a four-speed exhaust fan improve indoor air quality during use. 269-923-5000. www.whirlpool.com.

TurboChef Technologies

TurboChef Technologies. The TurboChef Speedcook 30-inch double wall oven features a top cavity that combines dual microwaves and high-speed air impingement technologies to cook food up to 15 times faster than conventional methods, the maker says. A stirring mechanism in the cavity distributes the microwaves and high-speed air to ensure even cooking through seven speed-cook modes. The bottom cavity provides both conventional and convection cooking. The Cookwheel controller and Cook Navigator guide users through programs. 866-908-8726. www.turbochef.com.

GE Appliances

GE. The GE Profile Advantium 120 and 240 built-in speed-cook ovens utilize a high-wattage halogen light system combined with microwaves to cook foods up to four times and eight times faster (respectively) than a traditional oven. In addition to speed-cook functions, the Advantium offers independent convection, microwave, and warming modes. The Advantium 120 and 240 come in wall-oven and over-the-range microhood configurations. 800-626-2005. www.geappliances.com.