A powerhouse appliance in the kitchen, ovens offer an array of pre-set programmes, recipe ideas, and steam functionality to extend your cooking repertoire.
To help you choose the right oven for your kitchen, KBB journo Sally Smith has rounded up the latest models, functionality on offer, and buying tips…
Which oven should I choose for my kitchen?
The latest combination ovens offer a range of cooking styles including conventional fan, grill, and microwave, with the option to set more than one programme at once – such as microwave and grill, or baking and steam. Wi connectivity gives you access to apps with hundreds of pre-programmed recipes that make cooking every day less of a chore.
“When choosing an oven, think about how you cook day to day,” says Peter Humphrey, design director at Humphrey Munson. Oven dimensions range from 45cm to 90cm with internal capacities from 65 to around 96 litres, to fit any layout and cooking requirements. Mini range cookers will fit perfectly in a more compact kitchen, offering the same wow factor as the larger, more traditional models.
Functionality on offer
Ovens have sophisticated hot air systems that heat the cavity evenly from top to bottom for more efficient cooking, with triple-glazed doors for energy efficiency. Temperatures can reach up to 300°C, with the option to bake on the base of the oven, ideal for pizzas and bread making.
Multi-cooking functions enable simultaneous cooking of up to four dishes, while adding steam at high pressure during a programme keeps cakes and meat moist, and prevents them from drying out.
Touch TFT screens give you access to a myriad of pre-set temperature and time settings for different dishes and specialised cooking modes such as air frying, grilling, slow cooking, baking, and defrosting, offering added confidence. Look out for ovens that activate automatically as you approach, and wireless food probes for precise roasting of meat, fish, and poultry.
Buying tips
If you are dreaming of a professional set-up of four ovens or a statement range cooker, make sure you discuss this with your kitchen designer before you buy. “For those with a larger layout or island unit, a bank of built-in appliances can be both stylish and highly functional. Whatever your layout, aim to keep the oven within easy reach of your main preparation area to streamline your cooking flow,” explains John Davies, head of marketing at Smeg.
A built-in undercounter oven fits neatly beneath a similar-sized hob, making it a good option for a smaller kitchen. A side-by-side or vertical set-up positioned at eye level always works well in an open-plan scheme, and for a more minimalist look, check out brands that offer handleless ranges with matching warming or sous-vide drawers.
What will it cost?
A single oven with a full range of pre-set programmes, TFT touch screens, and Wi connectivity will cost between £1500 and around £1700 depending on the brand.
If you’re looking to be a bit more adventurous with your cooking, the latest combination steam single cavity ovens cost from £2500 to over £5000, and if you want a warming or sous-vide drawer, add another £1500.
A larger 90cm single oven will cost £1500 or more, and a 60cm range cooker starts at around £17,000, and upwards for a larger model.
Good to know
Check the housing cabinet is the right size to accommodate the kitchen oven, allow for ventilation gaps typically 5mm or more on each side, as well as sufficient space for electrical connections.
Most ovens include a cleaning programme – either an aqua clean system that uses water or steam to clean the oven, or a pyrolytic option to clean at high temperatures. Sophie Lane, product training manager at Miele GB, advises, “Using a pyrolytic programme every couple of months will keep your oven super-clean, but if you’re cleaning by hand, ideally wipe after every use to avoid a build-up of grease that will become more difficult to remove as you use the oven.”
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