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A Guide to Ovens

Our oven buying guide outlines the different types of ovens along with some of the new technology and features that are available . We aim to give you the information you need to help with your next oven purchase.

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Contents

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Intro

Oven technology has advanced considerably in recent years, many now come with various features and greatly improved energy efficiency, allowing for fast and even heat distribution. Technology updates include steam cooking, slide and hide (oven doors) and pyrolytic/self cleaning ovens.

Whether you are redesigning your kitchen or simply replacing an existing oven you will need to choose the right design, style and size for the space you have available.

Electric Ovens

The electric oven has overtaken traditional gas ovens in popularity. They distribute heat more evenly, which should mean better cooking results and less burnt food. Additionally, the oven environment is drier which helps foods crisp up and turn golden-brown.

Most electric ovens come with a fan that helps distribute the heat evenly. Fan assisted ovens have a fan at the back of the oven whereas fan ovens have a single heating element around the fan and in most instances it is recommended that you reduce the cooking temperature by 20 degrees Celsius. Food cooks faster in a fan oven because warm air is constantly moved around the cavity, though you should remember that when slow cooking, fan cooking does not make much of a difference.

Many manufacturers produce both single and double electric ovens.

Types of Electric Oven

black and silver pyrolytic oven

Pyrolytic Ovens

Are a great choice for the modern kitchen. A pyrolytic oven uses a high temperature program to burn off food residue that can then be easily wiped away.

Some self cleaning ovens come with catalytic liners on the sides, back and top of the oven that absorb fatty spills and splashes, this also helps with the effort and frequency required for cleaning.

If you’re not a fan of scrubbing grease and grime a self cleaning oven will make a tough and messy job a little easier. These types of ovens are very popular thanks to their effectiveness however, you still need to remember to regularly hand clean the shelves inside.

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Single Ovens

Generally take up less space, which makes them a good option if you have a smaller kitchen. On average the capacity for this type of oven is around 60 litres and it can be installed under a hob or at eye level. Some single ovens may come with a special divider that allows you to split the internal space to cook at two different temperatures, this is ideal if you're short on space but still want cooking flexibility.

black and silver double oven

Double Ovens

Full height built in double ovens are usually positioned at eye level, which makes getting food in and out easier. However built-under double ovens are available and designed to go under a hob or the kitchen worktop. With these types of ovens the larger main oven usually has a fan and the smaller of the two operates as a conventional oven. The average capacity for a double oven is around 60 litres for the main oven and 35 litres for the smaller one.

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Steam Ovens

Steam ovens cook using hot pressurised steam. Cooking in a steam oven is usually faster when compared to conventional ovens, they also allow for retention of nutrients and ensure that the food maintains flavour. Moisture in the oven makes for a better texture and prevents the food from drying out. They are a great alternative to microwaves and some models come with an extra cooking function with a variable steam setting that allows you to make changes to the cooking mode. Both countertop and built in options are available.

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Built-in Microwaves

Built in microwaves are an excellent space and time saver. Combination microwave ovens also give you the flexibility of using either the oven, the microwave or both. As with all microwaves, cooking times are much faster.

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Compact Ovens

Compact ovens are designed for both smaller living spaces and to be part of a set alongside or above a single oven. Ranges include compact ovens, compact steam ovens and compact microwave ovens. They often come with eco-cooking features that save money on your electricity bill by automatically turning off the oven just before the end of the cooking time, the food is still cooked through with residual heat.