Oven Buying Guide
If you’re in the market for a new oven, there’s lots of choice. In fact, there’s so much choice that it can be baffling. There are however some key choices everyone has to make, and understanding your options should make it easier to get the perfect oven for your needs.
What Oven Capacity Do You Need?
Oven capacity is expressed in litres, and most retailers stock ovens between 40 and 75 litres. If you only have one oven in the kitchen, it’s probably better to go towards the larger end of the spectrum. If however you’re thinking of combining two or more ovens, you may choose smaller ovens. Larger ovens generally provide more flexibility in what you cook, and make preparing larger meals easier.
Position - Where Will You Be Placing Your Oven?
If you want an oven which will fit under a counter top, you might be restricted in what type of oven you choose. Most homeowners will choose to put the oven directly under the hob, or as a separate tower unit. If you would prefer a gas oven to one operated by electricity, this may also restrict where it is positioned. There are lots of rules and regulations about ventilation for gas oven installation. Measure the space available carefully before you go shopping.
What Cooking Functions Do You Need?
Ovens don’t just heat up from the base any more. Fan assisted ovens are now the norm, and these have the benefit of spreading the heat more evenly around the oven. Many ovens can also grill, and some may operate as a microwave too. Consider whether other options such as the ability to cook a rotisserie chicken or act as a pizza oven are something you’ll really use, or just a marketing gimmick. If you’re not an adventurous cook, an oven with basic functions will be sufficient for your needs.
Cleaning Your Oven
Nobody enjoys the job of cleaning out the oven. It’s a messy job but this can be made easier by choosing an oven with special cleaning functions. This style of oven heats up to a much higher temperature than is used for cooking and turns any burnt food into ash to make cleaning much easier. Weigh up the benefits of ease of cleaning against the extra cost of getting the pyrolytic functions.
What About Added Extras and Branding?
Oven manufacturers innovate constantly and have come up with all sorts of other features to make their ovens stand out from everything else on the market. What all the gadgets like sliding doors or dividers to turn one oven into two have in common is that they will add to the overall cost. When it comes to the brand of your oven, again there are brands pitched at all levels, from the bargain basement to the expensive and exclusive. Check online to look at reviews which should help narrow the choice. Set a budget and stick to it; it’s very easy to get carried away in a showroom when there is a pushy salesperson steering you towards the premium models.
