The 10 Best Ovens - June 2017

Oven Buying Guide

Not all ovens were created equal, and the types of oven available cater for different needs and budgets. The main differences between ovens are their capacity and energy source.

To find the right oven it is important to identify which features are important to you. If you bake on a daily basis, having an oven that is fairly large while being energy efficient is the best way to make your baking easier and save money on the long run. For a more casual cook who uses the oven once a week, energy efficiency and capacity are not top priorities. A simpler oven that doesn't cost you a lot will do the job just fine – no need for the latest deluxe double oven with 8 cooking modes.

One of the first considerations when buying an oven is its dimensions and energy source. Most ovens are 600mm wide and will fit most kitchens. If you are looking for a larger capacity oven or a freestanding oven it is important to measure the available space in our kitchen to ensure there are no surprises when your new oven arrives.

If there is a gas supply in our kitchen you will be able to consider a gas oven. Electrical ovens are slightly easier to install but might also be more expensive to run. Always check the energy rating when comparing ovens. The installation of gas and electric ovens should always be carried out by appropriately trained and licensed engineers.

Oven Capacity

Before looking at the technical aspects of your future oven, choosing between a single or double oven is one of the first decisions to make.

Single Ovens

For the average home user who requires no more than two trays to be used at the same time, a single oven should be sufficient, even for frequent users. There is a huge range of single ovens available in different finishes and with distinct features. The high level of competition between manufacturers means single ovens offer great value for money and are available at very reasonable prices.

Double Ovens

A double oven allows for more flexibility as you can cook and bake at two different temperatures in parallel. This is great to prepare a large meal and set each oven and timer separately. You can grill a main course in one oven and bake a cake in the other, which significantly speeds things up compared to a single oven. The drawbacks of double ovens are a higher price tag, the requirement for a bigger space and a smaller number of models to choose from.

Space Saving Ovens

There are space-saving options for both single and double ovens. This might be a great choice if there just isn’t enough space in your kitchen to fit a full size oven or you need a double oven but only have a standard-sized space available.

Compact Ovens

A single compact oven is usually the same size as a microwave and most feature a grill as well. These small ovens are great if you are tight on space but their capacity might be a problem depending on the types of food you want to cook.

Double Built-under Ovens

If you have space to fit a single oven but need tow separate ovens, a built-under double oven might be a good choice. You get the flexibility of a double oven without losing much space (they are usually only 10-12cm taller than an average single oven). Because two ovens have to fit into the space of a single oven, the capacity of the individual ovens is limited and you will have to weigh up the benefits of having two ovens versus a larger single oven.

Oven Types

One of the key criteria when choosing an oven is decide between an electric or gas oven. Most ovens are electric as these can be installed in almost every kitchen. Gas ovens require a natural gas supply in your property, which is not always available. When faced with the choice, both electric and gas ovens have their advantages and disadvantages.

Electric Ovens

An electric oven has much more accurate temperature control thanks to its electronic thermostat, and spreads the heat evenly throughout the cooking area. This effect is even more pronounced in fan-assisted models. In addition, the dry heat an electric oven produces prevents the build-up of rust. Purchasing costs of electric ovens are usually lower than gas ones, and there is a much wider variety to choose from. On the downside, electric ovens take longer to heat up and have slightly higher operating costs.

Gas Ovens

While there is less variety in gas ovens compared to electric ones nowadays, they have some distinct advantages. Gas ovens have lower operating costs. If you use the oven a lot, these will offset the higher acquisition costs in the long run. Gas ovens heat up and cool down faster than their electric counterparts, which is great if you don't have time to wait for an electric oven to cool down before cleaning. Gas ovens add humidity to the air inside the oven, which prevents foods from becoming dry and brittle before reaching their ideal cooking point. Temperature control and heat distribution are usually less accurate in gas ovens, however, modern gas ovens come with electronic thermostats that regulate the temperature more accurately and fans help to spread the heat evenly throughout.

Oven Features

After deciding on the capacity and type, selecting an oven with the right features ensures you will be happy with your choice for many years to come. Modern ovens provide a variety of features that make cooking and cleaning easier.

Fan Ovens ensure the heat is distributed as evenly as possible inside the oven so food cooks at the same speed on all sides. Fan assisted electric ovens also heat up quicker and can shorten cooking times.

Automatic Cooking Programs make cooking super-simple by setting the temperature and time to cook a dish.

Programmable Timers allow you to simply set the start time, duration temperature and heat sources and the oven will switch on and cook your meal before switching off again. This is great when you have other things to do but want to make sure your meal will be ready at exactly the right time.

Pyrolytic Self-cleaning is the most convenient way to keep your oven clean. During the cleaning cycle, the oven will heat up to 480C which burns off any deposits and reduces them to a thin layer of ash which can then simply be wiped away.

Most ovens today are Multi-function Ovens and allow you to cook with a number of heat sources, either independently or in combination. When using fan-assisted mode to cook a meal you can also use the grill to make sure it is crispy on top.