Ovens Buying Guide

Ovens Buying Guide

Are you in the market for a built-in oven paired with a separate hob, or perhaps a unit that integrates a hob beneath the countertop? Alternatively, would a built-in microwave or a dialog oven featuring multiple cooking modes better suit your needs?

Ovens Buying Guide
Ovens Buying GuideOvens Buying Guide

Ovens

Built-in single ovens

60cm wide and 60cm in height

A built-in single oven has one cavity space with oven and grill included. The cavity size is typically larger than a double oven. They can be built-in under a hob, or an eye-level cabinet.

Built-in double ovens

60cm wide and 90cm in height

The built-in double oven is the most versatile of the three, consisting of two ovens with grill. Because of their taller size, oven capacity can be larger than built-under double ovens. They can be positioned at eye level, making it easy to get food in and out.

Built-under ovens

60cm wide and 60cm in height

A built-under double oven has a main larger oven, and a smaller one with a grill. The cavity size is typically slightly smaller than a single oven. Designed to go under a hob or kitchen worktop.

How to measure for a new built-in oven

Measure up the available space for your oven, taking note of height and width. Please note, if you’re planning on having a gas hob to go with your oven, you’ll need 75cm of space above your hob for safety purposes. If you’re going electric, that’s 65cm. You’ll also want to make sure your kitchen cabinets aren’t directly above your hobs. If you’re looking to upgrade your existing cooker, just measure what you already have.


NB: Always make sure you install your oven on a solid, flat surface. Carpet or soft flooring is unsafe.

Connecting a built-in oven

It’s important you make sure you have the correct supply outlet for your choice of cooker. Here’s a summary of what you’ll need:

For electric ovens

  • Make sure there's a suitable electrical connection within 1.5m of the required location.
  • 32amp outlets are suitable for electric ovens that use more than 3KW
  • 13amp outlets are suitable for electric ovens that use less than 2.99KW.

For gas ovens

  • Make sure there's a live gas supply within 1.5m of the required location, in the same room. Please note: even if you have gas central heating, it doesn't mean there's a gas supply to the oven.
  • Gas ovens with ignition systems and timers require a 13 amp electrical supply, within 1.5m
  • If you're in an area that uses LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas, in red or blue cylinders outside your house, or a bulb tank that's filled by your gas supplier), you'll need to check the cooker you use can be converted to LPG by one of our Gas Safe engineers. Give us a call on 0344 561 1234 and we’ll be happy to help.

Make it safe

When installing a new built-in oven, please make sure:


There's no combustible material behind the oven location – especially flammable material such as wallpaper, wood, fabric wall coverings, curtains or shelving.

For gas cookers, it’s important to have enough ventilation. A door or window that opens directly to the outside is fine.

Things to consider when choosing a built-in-oven

Energy rating

Energy ratings run from A-G, with A being the most energy efficient and G being the least. And the more energy efficient your oven, the less power it uses. This will help save the planet and save you money too! All of our ovens are either A or B rated

Self-cleaning built-in ovens

Cleaning your oven is a mucky job that requires lots of elbow grease. So why not make life easier on yourself with a self-cleaning oven? It might cost a little more but think of all those hours of hard graft you’ll be saving! There are a few different types of self-clean and easy-clean ovens to look out for.

Pyrolytic cleaning

Also known as “auto-cleaning”, pyrolytic cleaning heats the oven to 500°C and burns all spills and grease to a fine ash. You then simply wipe it away with a cloth. Job done.

Catalytic cleaning

Also known as “assisted cleaning”, catalytic liners are specially treated with a coating that absorbs grease and food residue which breaks down, making the oven self-cleaning at high temperatures.

Enamel coating

Easy-clean enamel lined ovens have a smooth coating you simply wipe down and clean.

Warranty

Ovens are built to last, but sometimes things can go wrong. That’s why the warranty is so important, it keeps you safe from any nasty surprises. The standard length is usually one or two years, but check the warranty section on our product pages to know exactly what you’re entitled to.

Capacity

If you’re a small household or have a large family to feed, you’ll want to find the right size oven to match. Capacity is measured in litres and ranges from around 43 for a single compact model, to around 75 for a large single or double. They can be built-in or freestanding as well, so you can have a streamlined kitchen.

Dimensions

So, you’ve found an oven you like and you’re ready to commit, but are you sure it’ll fit? You don’t want to receive your fancy new appliance to find it won’t squeeze through your doorways or into the gap. We want to make your delivery day happen without a hitch, so we’ve prepared a handy measuring guide to give you all the info you need.

Fit type

To decide which type of oven to buy, you'll want to think about where it'll go in your kitchen. A built-in model sits at eye-level, while a built-under fits below your kitchen worktop. So, you can choose an option that'll perfectly suit your space.

Key Features

Special cooking settings

Ovens with specialist settings make swish cooking simple with options to suit whatever you’re whipping up. From features that turn your appliance into a jumbo-sized air fryer (hello frozen favourites!) to sous vide and gratin settings when you fancy some posh nosh. There’s a setting for every occasion.

Steam cooking

Whether you're trying to stay healthy or have a bake off to win, an oven with steam cooking will take your creations to the next level. The hot vapour surrounds your ingredients, gently heating them from every angle. This leaves each dish packed with flavour and looking just like those pictures in the recipe book. It’s a fool-proof way to cook like a pro.

Crisp cooking

Ovens come with a bunch of handy features these days, including an option that helps crisp up your cooking. Whether you’re throwing in a pasta bake with a cheesy top or labouring over a roast cooked with love, the crisp cooking setting works by making sure your dishes are juicy on the inside with a crispy crunch on the outside. Yum

Easy clean

We all know that cleaning the oven is the last thing you want to do in your spare time. Luckily, there are clever functions that make it much easier to get everything sparkling again. From grease-proof coatings, steam cleans and Pyrolytic technology, you can pick the one that’s best for you

Electronic food probe

Whether you’re cooking up a Sunday roast or fancy a fish dish, ovens with an electronic food probe let you know exactly when you’ve hit that sweet spot. Some models will even turn themselves off once the desired temperature has been reached, so you’ll never have to suffer through over- or under-cooked meals again.

Even heat distribution

With an even heat distribution oven, there’ll be no more waiting for the veg on the bottom to catch up with the chicken on top. It does what it says on the tin – hot air is spread around, leaving your dinner with a delicious, even finish and letting you cook on every shelf with confidence. Want to become the master of mealtimes? Take a look below to find out how.

Smart-connected

With smart-connected tech, you can enjoy fuss-free cooking. From checking on the roast, to changing the temperature – getting dinner on the go has never been easier. Get ready to take the stress out of mealtimes.

Soft-close door

If you forget your own strength, then an oven with soft-closing doors is for you. They’re kitted out with clever mechanisms that make movements slow and steady. Not only will your kitchen stay quiet, but it’ll also stop your oven getting damaged. Sounds like a win-win to us.

Flexible space

Whether you’re baking a birthday cake or cooking up a large lasagna, you need an oven that can rise to the challenge. Enter: telescopic shelves. They effortlessly glide in and out, are strong and stable, and give you easy access to your delicious creations. Want some more information? Take a look below to see how this clever feature can help you become kitchen royalty.

Touch controls

Looking for a more seamless way to cook? We’ve got just the thing – touch control ovens. While they add a stylish look to your kitchen, they’re more than just a pretty face. Everything from cooking programmes to temperature changes can be sorted in seconds, it only takes a tap.

Quick cooking

So, you’re planning a three-course feast for the family but you’re running late. Luckily there’s time saving tech that’ll speed things up, from rapid pre-heat functions to settings that cook food faster. So, forget dashing around the kitchen – now dinner will be done in a jiffy.

Automatic cooking

Automatic programmes take the guesswork out of cooking by using the ideal settings for your chosen meal. For some, you’ll input the weight of your food to get the best results, while others switch the oven off when it’s done. We’ll take you through the benefits below, along with some of our favourite automatic programmes, so you can choose the best one.

Sensor-controlled cooking

Ovens with sensor controls give you the best results by doing the hard work for you. Some come with a temperature probe so you can get the perfect finish on your meat and fish. Others select the best settings to match your meal, others turn the heat off when your food is ready. Whichever one you choose, mealtimes just got a whole lot easier.

Energy-efficient

If you want to keep your running costs low, while still doing your bit for the planet, an energy-efficient oven will do the trick. Because they use less energy, they’re kinder to your bank balance and the environment – time to grab those recipe books and cook to your heart’s content.

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