Dacor DCM24 900 Watts Convection / Microwave Oven

A good friend was having her kitchen redone. We went looking for appliances. We didn't agree on much. We did agree on the Dacor DCM24 combination microwave convection oven. It's versatile. My folks have had Dacor appliances for years, so I knew they would be quality.

The Dacor DCM24 has a capacity of 1.5 cubic ft. It offers 900 watts of cooking power. It requires 120 v and 15a. It has 10 different cooking/power levels. It measures 14 7/8" high x 24 5/8" wide x 19"deep. It has a 15 3/8" turntable. Perhaps most important to some, it has a child safety lock. I was expecting this to be a bit noisier in convection or combination mode than a standard microwave, but the fan is relatively quiet, and certainly not a distraction.

The best part of this oven is that you can use it either as a microwave or as an oven, or both at the same time. Cooking with both methods or combination cooking speeds the cooking process along. It shortens baking times yet still manages to provide browning and crisping like a traditional oven. Golden, brown and delicious out of a microwave is something new. I will admit that because the broiling element is not exposed, broiling here is not quite as good as in a standard oven. Still, it is better than one would ever expect from a microwave. Since my favorite thing to throw under the broiler is a baked mac and cheese or a streussel topping on a cranberry cobbler, this works well enough.

Cooking times here are reduced by about a third. For someone who is a serious cook, this has turned out to be an excellent second oven. It is also a terrific choice for those with a small kitchen where both oven and microwave would be too much.

The DCM24 comes with round racks that sit on top of the turntable and allow for some different ways of cooking. The top rack is for use with small pans or when you want to do baking on multiple racks. Use the bottom rack to drain fat when roasting meats or burgers.
Because the things you do in a standard oven are often messier than those in a microwave, this oven does get dirtier than the standard microwave and you will need to do more than wipe it down with a damp sponge. Window cleaner works well to cut the grease inside.

Like nearly every microwave on the market these days, the DCM24 is programmed with a number of automated settings for standard foods. It also comes with a sensor to make it easier to keep track of what's happening with your food. You can make sure you don't go over the planned inner temperature with meats and poultry.

This oven intended as a built-in unit. It was installed above a standard wall oven. The DCM24 was available with a variety of trim kits. Color choices include black, white and stainless steel. Options are designed to work with 27", 30" and 36" wall ovens. It can also be installed as a stand alone. It comes with a one year warranty on parts and labor. It is possible through most stores to buy an extended warranty.

I get to cook in the new kitchen a couple of times a month and I've had great fun with the new oven. Beyond that, since being completed, I've heard about the kitchen day in and day out. Aside from the polished granite countertops, the highlight has been this oven which seemingly does everything except wash the dishes. Of course, the new kitchen came with a dishwasher, too.