How to: Choose the Right Oven for Your Needs

Find Your Perfect Oven

Size & Capacity: built-in ovens typically have a width of 60cm, but compact kitchens will best fit a smaller 45cm oven and those living in a larger home may need a 90cm oven. The external width is important to ensure your new oven will fit into your kitchen. However, width is not a clear representation of capacity. The capacity of ovens are measured in litres (L) and a general guide is:

• Single households or those who rarely cook: 30 – 45L
• Couples or home cooks who only create one dish at a time: 45 – 70L
• Large families, aspiring chefs and frequent entertainers: 70L+

Types & Features: there are many oven types available, so no matter your cooking skill and household, you can find one to suit your needs, budget and preferences. Oven types include:

• Pyrolytic Ovens: Pyrolytic ovens are ovens that clean themselves. The oven heats to an extremely high temperature of over 400°C to burn food grime and grease residue into ash. Once the pyrolytic program is over you simply wipe the oven clean with a damp cloth to remove the ash without the need for harsh and toxic chemicals. If cleaning your oven is something you dread, then a pyrolytic oven is the oven for you.
• Steam Ovens: Steam ovens typically come as steam only or as a combination steam oven which combines traditional convection cooking with steam. Steam ovens typically have a canister where water is stored and as the oven heats, the water turns into steam, cooking your food. Ovens that are fully dedicated to steam cooking typically boast several variations for specific food types as almost anything can be cooked with steam. Steam cooking offers multiple benefits including faster cooking times, retained nutrients and the ability to cook food over multiple shelves without combining flavours.
• Combi Microwave Ovens: Combi Microwave ovens combine the reliability of traditional convection cooking with the convenience of the microwave. Drastically reducing cooking times without having to sacrifice on quality, Combi Microwave ovens help you defrost, reheat or even cook full meals with the one appliance and save you space by performing the task of both appliances instead of having an oven and separate microwave.
• Multi-Functional Drawers: enhance your suite of kitchen appliances with a multi-functional drawer like a Warming Drawer or Vacuum Seal Drawer. A Warming Drawer can warm plates, cutlery and cups before serving and some models even have a low temperature ‘cooking’ function so that you can defrost, warm food or prove dough. Vacuum Seal Drawers, on the other hand, are great if you would like to vacuum seal your food to keep it fresh for longer and many Vacuum Seal Drawers also offer a Sous-vide cooking function so that you can seal the food and then cook it in the bag.

Fuel Source: if you’re only looking to replace an existing oven you may not get a choice on fuel source, but if you’re fully remodeling your kitchen or building a new home, you may get to choose between a gas or electric oven.

• Electric Ovens: most homes can easily accommodate an electric oven, without the need for a gas line. Electric ovens are a more preferred option thanks to their ability to distribute heat evenly and their optimised control, and faster heat up.
• Gas Ovens: these require a gas line, which will need to be installed if not already existing. A gas oven may be difficult to come across as they are less popular, however operating costs are usually lower for gas ovens, as they are more energy-efficient than electric ovens, and natural gas is cheaper than electricity.

Oven Accessories: accessories refer to any racks, trays or dishes that are supplied with the oven. The most common accessories include:

• Telescopic Rails: Telescopic rails (or runners) allow you to pull out the shelves beyond the front of the oven while the rack remains stable.
• Catalytic Liners: designed and treated to trap grease when the oven’s cooking. The trapped grease will be converted to dust, as the oven heats, that can easily be wiped out.

Colours & Finishes: as built-in ovens are installed as a part of the cabinetry, consider the outside colour, handles and design and whether it will match the rest of your kitchen and other appliances. Stainless Steel continues to be the common choice in oven colour, however Dark Stainless Steel and Black are becoming increasingly popular.

Controls: oven controls range from a simple knob operation to full colour touch screens. No matter your preference, it’s important to ensure you choose an oven with controls that you find intuitive and will enjoy using for many years to come.

Specialised Functions: cooking technologies have become so advanced, it’s possible to create almost any dish in the oven. When buying a new oven, look out for specialised oven functions such as:

• Pizza: by combining the upper and lower heating element together, you can have pizza with perfectly melted cheese and a crispy crust.
• Dough Proving: a proving function keeps the oven warm and provides humidity, to activate yeast and rise dough without baking.
• Defrost: this feature causes the oven fan to distribute air throughout the oven without using any heat. Warm air, without heat, speeds up defrosting times.
• Slow Cooking: the Slow Cooking function is a low temperature function which involves long cooking times. Ideal if you’re going out and want to come home to a tasty meal.
• Air Fry: this function circulates hot air inside your oven at a high speed. Cooking food faster using little to no oil compared to traditional deep frying.

Before you shop around, make sure you know the current functions you use, as more functions generally increase the cost, so evaluating your needs before shopping may help prevent you from paying for functions you won’t use.

Must Haves: while most people have a preference for oven type, size and fuel source, there are many other features that could be a necessity for your family when buying an oven. These non-negotiable features are different for every person, but some to consider are:

• Temperature Probe: a built-in temperature probe monitors the internal temperature of meat as it cooks in the oven, making sure you will never overcook meat again.
• Cool-to-touch Doors: multiple layers in the door are a must for those with children, to keep small hands safe in family homes.
• Timer: you are sure to appreciate the value of an oven that shuts itself off after the programmed cooking time has elapsed and the timer rings.
• Delayed Start: a delayed start allows you to start the oven at the perfect time. This way, you can prepare food in advance but wait until it’s closer to mealtime to cook it.

Our Top Picks:

Fisher & Paykel 60cm Built-In Pyrolytic Oven (Black)

If you need motivation to cook, this Fisher & Paykel 60cm Built-in Pyrolytic Oven is the perfect appliance to get you started. Enjoy the spacious 85L capacity, 16 oven functions and a whole host of other incredible features.

• Even Results: Aerotech™ eliminates hotspots and maintain consistent temperature, as heat is circulated evenly throughout the oven for perfect results on every shelf.
• User Friendly Interface: the Touchscreen interface provides an effortless cooking experience and thanks to the guided cooking, you can view tips and recipes to follow.
• Impressive Innovations: the full extension sliding shelves offers safe removal of hot dishes while the halogen lights illuminate the cavity so you can see clearly.
• Self-cleaning: the pyrolytic function runs on high temperatures which turns food residue into ash. All you have to do is wipe the ash away with a damp cloth, it’s that simple!

Miele 60cm Built-in Pyrolytic Oven (Stainless Steel)

Cooking your favourite meals has never been easier than with this Miele 60cm Pyrolytic Oven. Choose from 17 oven functions and have room for everything with the roomy 76L capacity.

• Smart Control: controlling this oven is simple with the large M touch screen with a minute minder and temperature display.
• Delicious Results: the Moisture Plus function injects water vapour into the oven during cooking, to provide delicious browned crusts and succulent roast meat.
• Quick View: Foodview lets you keep your eye on the cooking as the oven’s interior is shown on your smartphone via the Miele@Home app.
• Easy Cleaning: cook, eat and clean up easily with the pyrolytic self-cleaning cycle. The oven burns food residue to ash during the pyrolytic cycle so all you have to do is wipe the ash away.

AEG 60cm Built-In Steam Oven (Matte Black)

With AEG’s 60cm Built-in Steam Oven, everyone can become a home chef. With a 70L cooking capacity and 25 cooking functions, this oven is full of unique features that you’ll love.

• Intuitive Command Wheel: your cooking settings will appear on the touch display for an easy glance and monitoring of your cooking
• Steamify Function: with Steamify, just choose your desired cooking temperature and the oven adds an optimal amount of steam to enhance your dish’s flavours and textures while preserving nutrients.
• Cook Perfect Meals: with the AssistedCooking function, simply select the food you’re cooking and the oven will guide you to the right program and length of time to cook your dish.
• Steam Cleaning Program: say goodbye to harsh scrubbing as the power of steam lifts dirt and grime off the oven for a simple wipe down.

Smeg 60cm Built-In Combi Microwave (Black Glass with Copper Trim)

Enjoy the convenience of cooking using both traditional and microwave methods with Smeg’s 60cm Built-In Combi Microwave.

• Room for Everything: the generous 79L capacity ensures you have the space you need to whip up your favourite treats.
• Variety of Programs: 26 cooking functions and 150 automatic recipes means this combi microwave oven will please home cooks of all levels, plus enjoy bonus functions such as BBQ, Air Fry, Keep Warm and Stone Cooking.
• Intuitive Control: featuring a large Vivo Max touch screen with Multistep, the Multistep 3-step cooking method enables step-by-step cooking, so once the oven is done cooking the first step, it continues with the next until it’s complete.
• Quick Cleaning: clean up like a pro with the oven’s Vapour Clean system, which uses steam to lift spillages, so you can just wipe away mess.

AEG 14cm Built-In Warming Drawer (Matte Black)

This AEG 14cm Warming Drawer will allow you to serve meals like a professional. A perfect mix of function and style, budding chefs and entertainers will love having this drawer at home!

• Spacious Capacity: the 6 place settings ensure you can always have warm crockery on hand.
• Varied Temperatures: Plate up meals at their best, thanks to the large variety of settings including Plate warming (60°C), Cups & Glass warming (40°C), Low temperature cooking (80°C), Dough proving (40°C-50°C), Food warming (60°C – 80°C) and Defrosting (30°C).
• Convenient Additions: this warming drawer is a joy to use thanks to the push-to-open mechanism, on/off LED light, temperature control knob and anti-slip mat.
• Ultra-stylish Design: Designed to match with AEG ovens, this warming drawer comes in a beautiful Matte Black finish, sure to look amazing in any modern home.

Pyrolytic or steam? Dial controls or a touch screen? With so many choices, it can be hard to decide. However, on National Product Review our large selection of ovens will satisfy any home. We feature many brands, styles and sizes, so before you make a purchase, browse our oven models, read reviews from real people and even view them in your home, all before you enter a store!

For more oven buying tips, watch our Oven Buying Guide video below.

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