Oven Buying Guide
Explore our Oven Buying Guide to make informed decisions when choosing the perfect appliance for your needs. Whether you're upgrading or purchasing for the first time, we cover different types of ovens, essential features, energy efficiency tips, and maintenance insights to ensure a long-lasting and convenient appliance.
Electric Ovens
An electric oven is a kitchen appliance powered by electricity, utilizing heating elements to generate heat for cooking. It features precise temperature control, with visible heating elements at the top and bottom of the oven. Electric ovens offer baking and broiling functions, providing even heat distribution for consistent cooking results. Some models may include a convection feature for improved cooking efficiency. Electric ovens come in various designs, including freestanding and built-in options, making them versatile and suitable for different kitchen layouts. They are known for ease of installation and are commonly found in both traditional and modern kitchens.
Gas Ovens
A gas oven is a kitchen appliance that uses natural gas or propane for cooking. It features gas burners, typically located at the bottom, which produce a flame to heat the oven cavity. Gas ovens offer temperature control through a thermostat, accommodating both baking and broiling functions. They are known for quick heating and can provide a slightly more moist cooking environment compared to electric ovens. Some models include convection features for even cooking. Gas ovens are available in freestanding and range configurations, but their installation requires a gas supply line and professional assistance. The choice between gas and electric ovens often depends on individual preferences and kitchen infrastructure.
Single Oven Types
Built In Single Electric Ovens
A built-in single electric oven is a kitchen appliance designed for seamless integration into cabinetry or a wall. Powered by electric heating elements, it features a single oven compartment suitable for moderate cooking needs. Equipped with precise temperature control, baking, and broiling functions, these ovens often include a convection feature for even cooking. User-friendly controls, digital displays, and various size options contribute to their appeal. Installation by professionals is recommended to ensure proper fitting and electrical connections.
Built In Single Gas Ovens
A built-in single gas oven is a kitchen appliance designed for seamless integration into cabinetry or walls, operating on natural gas or propane. It features a single oven compartment suitable for moderate cooking needs. With gas burners at the bottom, it offers precise temperature control through a thermostat for baking and broiling functions. Known for quick heating, gas ovens create a slightly more moist cooking environment. Various size options cater to different kitchen spaces, and some models include a convection feature for even cooking.
Double Oven Types
Built In Double Electric Ovens
A built-in double electric oven is a kitchen appliance designed for seamless integration into cabinetry or walls, featuring two stacked oven compartments powered by electric heating elements. Each compartment has individual thermostats for precise temperature control, allowing simultaneous cooking of different dishes. With baking, broiling, and often convection functions, these ovens offer versatility and efficiency. User-friendly controls, modern aesthetics, and various size options contribute to their appeal.
Built In Double Gas Ovens
A built-in double gas oven is a kitchen appliance designed for seamless integration into cabinetry or walls, featuring two stacked oven compartments powered by gas burners. With individual thermostats for precise temperature control, users can simultaneously cook different dishes at varying temperatures. These ovens offer baking and broiling functions, with the quick heating capability of gas. The double oven configuration provides convenience for households with higher cooking demands, and various size options accommodate different kitchen spaces.
Built Under Double Electric Ovens
A built-under double electric oven is a kitchen appliance designed for installation beneath countertops, featuring two separate oven compartments powered by electric heating elements. With individual thermostats, users can cook different dishes simultaneously at precise temperatures. These ovens offer baking and broiling functions, and their double configuration provides convenience for households with higher cooking demands. User-friendly controls, various cooking modes, and modern aesthetics contribute to their appeal.
Built Under Double Gas Ovens
A built-under double gas oven is designed for seamless installation beneath countertops, featuring two separate oven compartments powered by gas burners. With individual thermostats, users can simultaneously cook different dishes at precise temperatures. These ovens offer baking and broiling functions, with quick heating capabilities characteristic of gas appliances. The double oven configuration provides convenience for households with higher cooking demands, and various size options cater to different kitchen spaces.
Key Features
Oven Cleaning Methods
Pyrolytic Self Cleaning
Pyrolytic self-cleaning is an advanced feature in some modern ovens that uses high temperatures to break down food residue, grease, and spills inside the oven, turning them into ash. After the cycle, the oven cools down, and the ash can be easily wiped away with a damp cloth or sponge. Pyrolytic self-cleaning is typically found in higher-end oven models.
Catalytic Liners
Catalytic liners are self-cleaning features in some ovens, utilizing a porous surface coating to absorb and break down grease and food splatters during regular cooking. Unlike pyrolytic cleaning, catalytic liners work continuously at moderate temperatures, leading to an ongoing cleaning process. They facilitate easy maintenance, as the resulting ash or residue can be effortlessly wiped away with a damp cloth.
Steam Assisted
Steam-assisted cleaning is a feature in some modern ovens that utilizes water to generate steam for a gentler and environmentally friendly cleaning process. The oven has a water reservoir, and users activate the steam cleaning cycle through the control panel. The generated steam circulates within the oven, softening and dissolving food residues and grease, making them easier to wipe away.
Manual Cleaning
Manual oven cleaning is a traditional hands-on approach that involves using cleaning agents and manual effort to maintain oven cleanliness. Users gather supplies, including oven cleaner or homemade solutions like baking soda and vinegar. The oven is cooled down, loose debris is removed, and the cleaning solution is applied to interior surfaces. After soaking, users scrub away grime with a sponge or brush, wiping away dissolved residue with a damp cloth.
Energy Efficiency
Shop Our most efficient Ovens below:
Oven Sizes
Whether you go for a built-in or built-under oven, you’ll need to think about the size of your appliance and make sure it’ll fit into the space you have in mind.
Built-under ovens come in fairly standardised sizes as they’re designed to sit neatly beneath a kitchen counter. They tend to stand around 70-72cm tall (although some taller models are available for high counters). The width is usually between 56cm and 60cm, whilst the depth should be 54-58cm.
Built-in ovens, on the other hand, can vary quite a bit in height. For example, compact built-in ovens are around 45cm tall in general whilst double built-in ovens are typically 89cm in height. The width and depth measurements of built-in models are usually quite standardised to fit a conventional oven cabinet.
Below, we’ll take a look at how to measure up for built-under and built-in ovens.
How to measure for a new Oven
Built Under -
- Measure the height of the available space under your counter
- As you shop for a new built-under oven, check the height measurements to ensure that the appliance will fit snugly under the kitchen worktop.
- Measure the width of the available space between your other kitchen units.
- Check the width of appliances you’re looking at to make sure they’ll fit widthways.
- Built-under ovens are usually made with a depth of 54-58cm. This should allow your new appliance to slide neatly under the counter with room for the wiring at the back, but measure the depth of the space just in case.
Built In -
- Measure the height of the available space in your oven cabinet.
- If you’re looking at single or compact ovens, check the height of products as you shop (this should be between 45cm and 60cm). Make sure your new appliance will fit into the oven cabinet.
- After a double oven? The same process applies here, but in this case the ovens will tend to be around 89cm tall. Check that your oven cabinet has enough height room.
- The width and depth of single and double built-in ovens should be standard because they’re designed to fit into conventional oven cabinets whilst allowing enough room for ventilation. With this in mind, you don’t need to worry about measuring these dimensions – just the height.
Different Oven Features
Touch Controls
Touch controls on ovens provide a modern and user-friendly interface, replacing traditional knobs and buttons with a digital display. Users can set cooking temperature, time, and modes by tapping or swiping on the touch-sensitive screen. The controls often include pre-programmed cooking modes, timer functions, and customization options. Touch controls contribute to a sleek and modern aesthetic and may be integrated with smart technology for remote operation.
Smart Technology
Slide & Hide Doors
LPG Convertible
Easy To Clean Enamel
Programmable timers
Programmable timers in kitchen appliances, like ovens or coffee makers, enable users to set specific times for automatic start, stop, or mode switching. These timers offer convenience and flexibility, allowing for delayed starts, precise cooking durations, and multi-stage cooking. Users can benefit from energy efficiency by scheduling operations during optimal times. The controls are user-friendly, often featuring digital interfaces, and may include audio alerts for notifications.
Picking Your Colour
After finalizing the features you desire in your Oven, the next step is to contemplate the colour selection. Here, we elaborate on the advantages of the most commonly chosen colours.
Black
Choosing a black oven can be based on aesthetic appeal, versatility, and practical considerations. Black ovens offer a sleek and modern appearance, complement various kitchen styles, and provide a timeless and chic look. The colour's neutrality allows it to blend with different colour schemes and hide stains and smudges better than lighter colours.
White
Choosing a white oven can be based on aesthetic appeal, versatility, and practical considerations. White ovens offer a clean and timeless appearance, seamlessly blending with various kitchen styles and providing a bright and fresh look. The color's neutrality allows it to harmonize with different colour schemes, and while it may show stains more easily than darker colours, white appliances are generally easy to clean.
Grey / Graphite
Choosing a grey or graphite oven is a decision based on a mix of aesthetic appeal, versatility, and practicality. These tones provide a contemporary and sophisticated look, seamlessly blending with various kitchen styles. Their neutral nature allows for easy coordination with different elements in the kitchen, creating a balanced and cohesive aesthetic. Practically, these colours are forgiving in terms of hiding stains and fingerprints.
Stainless Steel
Choosing a stainless steel oven is driven by a blend of aesthetic appeal, durability, and practicality. Stainless steel appliances offer a sleek and modern appearance that complements various kitchen styles. Known for their durability and resistance to corrosion, stainless steel ovens are a practical choice for busy kitchens. The material is easy to clean and maintain, providing a hygienic and polished look.
Ovens FAQs
What's the difference between a convection and conventional oven?
The primary difference between a convection oven and a conventional oven lies in how they distribute heat during cooking. In a conventional oven, heat rises naturally, resulting in uneven temperature distribution, longer cooking times, and less consistent browning.
What is a steam Oven?
Steam ovens use steam rather than hot air to cook food. This cooking method locks in the nutrients and moisture in your food. Steam is a more effective method of reheating than a microwave. This type of oven also cooks food faster than conventional ovens, especially with larger dishes.
Can I install an oven myself, or do I need a professional installer?
While some ovens allow for DIY installation, it's often recommended to hire a professional installer, especially for built-in or complex installations, to ensure proper electrical or gas connections. Visit our Installations Page for more info.
What do self-cleaning ovens do?
Pyrolytic self-cleaning ovens can heat up to around 500ºC using a specialised cleaning function. Any food spills and grease on the lining of your oven will burn away at this temperature, so all you have to do is sweep away the ash.
How do I use a self-cleaning oven?
We recommend reading your oven’s manual before using the self-cleaning function.
That said, the following general tips apply when using a pyrolytic self-cleaning oven:
- Before starting the pyrolytic function, remove everything from inside the oven including the racks.
- Next, scrape off as much excess bake-off food or grease as you can.
- Lock the oven door before turning on the self-cleaning mode (some models come with a lever whilst others lock automatically).
- Use the controls to set the self-cleaning timer. Two hours is enough for a light clean but an oven that’s particularly dirty might need three or four.
- Once the cleaning cycle has ended, leave the oven to cool down.
- Finally, wipe away the ash that’s left at the bottom of the oven (you could even use a vacuum cleaner for this part if you can reach).