Oven Buying Guide

An oven is a vital part of the kitchen, but there are many options available, and it can be difficult to know which to choose.

This guide provides some useful hints and tips about things to consider when buying an oven.

How to Choose An Oven

An oven is one of the most essential appliances for the household, so it?s important to choose one that will suit your needs. Whether you are buying a new oven or replacing your old one, there is a range of ovens available to buy online, with varying styles, prices and features.

Factors to consider when choosing an oven include energy efficiency, speed of cooking and the ability to cook a range of dishes. The functions of an oven usually determine how flexible it is, while a model with improved energy efficiency will save you money and time, and often produces better tasting food too!

Which Type of Oven Should I Buy?

Ovens come in two forms: built-in and freestanding. A built-in oven is installed as a fixed unit, taking the proportions of a cupboard so as to complement the existing design of your kitchen. A freestanding oven doesn?t need to be installed and is simply positioned in a suitable space.

Built-in and freestanding ovens offer similar types of features. A built-in oven is often preferred, as it can be discreetly installed within the overall design of the kitchen and has a sleek, modern style. A freestanding oven offers a more classic look and ?shows off? the appliance. Many freestanding ovens feature a classic, retro design modelled on the popular range cooker.

As a rule, a freestanding oven may have more oven compartments and features, while built-in ovens save on space and fit in with the existing style of your kitchen.

Here details about the main types of oven:

Electric Oven: With variable heat settings controlled by a thermostat, standard electric ovens have the advantage of being hotter at the top and cooler at the bottom, so you can cook different dishes at the same time. Electric ovens take longer to pre-heat than fan ovens.
Fan Oven: Due to the use of a fan at the rear of the oven to circulate heat, the temperature in a fan oven is constant throughout. Fan ovens can be pre-heated quickly, and they save energy compared to standard electric ovens.
Gas Oven: Gas gives off a ?wet heat? when burned, which is why gas ovens are ideal for dishes that benefit from moisture, such as cakes and casseroles. Gas ovens may have a fast pre-heat function and can be hotter at the top, although many models are shaped to improve heat circulation.
Multi-Function Oven: Using a combination of different heating elements and a fan, multi-function ovens are incredibly versatile and offer a range of cooking methods to suit different dishes. Multi-function ovens typically feature a built-in grill which, when used with the oven door closed, retains moisture and improves the finish of the food. Some multi-function ovens include a rotisserie, which is ideal for meat joints.
Double Oven: Improved flexibility and greater capacity is provided by a double oven, which features two ovens, one on top of the other. Whilst this means that you can cook two different dishes with different heat settings at the same time, a double oven takes up more space above the worktop, unless you opt for a smaller model.

Features To Look For When Buying An Oven

The functions on a cooker can vary, so it?s important to consider which features will suit your cooking needs. Here are details of some of the features commonly found on ovens:

Electronic Controls: Ideal for dishes that require precise cooking temperatures, electronic controls are easy to use and some models include preset temperatures for each function, for greater accuracy.
Grill: Ovens may include the following types of grill:
- Fixed grills ? where you raise or lower the grill pan to attain the desired temperature
- Variable control grills ? where you can set the temperature, and high speed grills, which speed up the cooking process and save energy.

Grills can be electric or gas-powered.

Timer: Ovens usually include an integrated digital clock and timer. The timer can be a minute minder, where you set the cooking time in minutes and an alarm sounds when the timer has finished, or an auto timer, which can be used to program the oven to start and finish cooking at pre-set times.
Self-cleaning: Most modern ovens offer some kind of self-cleaning feature, either through an easy to clean, enamel coating or a catalytic, stay-clean lining. More expensive ovens can include a pyrolytic, self-cleaning system which uses high temperatures to carbonise food residues for easy disposal.

Should I Buy An Extended Oven Warranty?

A warranty ensures repairs and replacements under certain conditions. It?s worth comparing warranties between retailers, or paying a little more for an extended warranty if you are buying a more expensive oven, although most ovens come with a reasonable warranty.

It?s a good idea to set a limit on the amount of money you are prepared to spend on a new oven, and not to pay more for any features or functions you won?t need. By shopping around online and comparing prices, you might be able to take advantage of special offers and discounts and get a better model of oven for your money.