Oven Buying Guide: What Size and Type Is Best for Your Kitchen

Cooking delicious meals and baking tasty treats in your own kitchen is one of life’s great joys. But all this culinary fun depends on having a reliable oven suited to your cooking needs. With so many options on the market, choosing the right oven can be a daunting task. This comprehensive oven buying guide will walk you through the key factors to consider when shopping for your ideal oven.

How Ovens Work

Before diving into the different oven types and features, it helps to understand the basics of how an oven works. At its core, an oven is an enclosed box that uses heat to cook food. This heat is generated by electricity or gas and dispersed throughout the oven cavity by metal heating elements or gas burners.

A thermostat and temperature probe help regulate the internal temperature. As the oven preheats, it reaches the target temperature set by the user. During cooking, the heating elements cycle on and off to maintain a consistent heat. Fans and convection systems distribute hot air for fast, even cooking.

Ovens use two main types of heat transfer to cook food:

Conduction: Direct contact of the food with a hot oven surface.
Convection: Hot air circulated by fans that transfers heat to the food.

Understanding these heating methods is useful when deciding which oven features best suit your cooking needs.

Choosing Between Electric and Gas

One of the first decisions to make when buying an oven is whether to go electric or gas. Each fuel type has its own advantages and disadvantages. Consider the following factors when deciding between electric and gas ovens.

Electric Ovens

Electric ovens became popular in the mid 20th century as electricity infrastructure expanded across the country. Here are some benefits of electric ovens:

Precise temperature control: Electric ovens heat up quickly and hold a steady, even temperature thanks to the thermostat. This makes them well-suited for baking when temperature accuracy is critical.
Energy efficient: Electric ovens are typically more energy efficient than gas models, especially convection ovens. This can help save on energy costs in the long run.
Easy to clean: Electric ovens don’t produce combustion byproducts like gas ovens, so food spills and splatters don’t bake on.
Safety: No open flame means fewer risks associated with leaks or accidental gas ignition.

However, there are some downsides to electric ovens to consider:

Slow preheating: Electric coils take longer to reach baking temperatures compared to gas.
Difficulty searing: Exposed electric coils don’t produce intense direct heat suitable for searing steaks or chops.
Power outages: Electric ovens won’t work during blackouts unlike gas models.

Gas Ovens

Here are some of the notable benefits of gas ovens:

Faster preheating: Open gas flames heat up an empty oven much faster than electric coils.
Great for broiling: Gas ovens excel at producing intense top heat from an exposed flame, perfect for searing foods under the broiler.
Flexible cooktop: Gas cooktops give you more immediate control over adjusting the flame as needed.
Work during power outages: Gas ovens rely on combustion, not electricity, so they remain functional if the power goes out.

Some downsides of gas ovens include:

Uneven baking: Hot spots from open gas flames can lead to uneven cooking results when baking.
Difficult temperature regulation: Fluctuations in the gas pressure make temperature control less precise.
Less energy efficient: More heat escapes through exhaust vents in gas ovens, resulting in greater energy losses.
Tougher cleaning: Gas combustion leaves soot, grease, and ash that can bake onto oven surfaces.

Types of Ovens

Beyond the choice of fuel lies a diverse array of oven types suited for different kitchens and cooking methods. Let’s explore the key features of common oven styles.

Conventional Ovens

The conventional oven with fixed internal racks is the most familiar design. Heating elements surround the oven cavity to evenly distribute heat. Conventional ovens work well for basic baking, roasting, and broiling. However, they heat up slower and can produce hot and cool spots.

Convection Ovens

Convection ovens have a built-in fan that circulates hot air throughout the cavity for fast, even cooking. The constant air movement helps prevent cool or hot zones. Convection ovens cook foods up to 25% faster than conventional ovens using less energy. They provide superb results when baking cakes, cookies, pastries, and more.

Toaster Ovens

For small cooking tasks like warming leftovers or toasting bread, a toaster oven offers a compact, energy-efficient option. Toaster ovens preheat quickly and feature simple dials for controlling temperature. Look for models with convection settings for more versatility.

Microwave Ovens

Microwave ovens use microwave radiation to energize water molecules in food, producing internal heating that cooks items quickly. While microwaves excel at rapid reheating and defrosting, they don’t brown or crisp foods well. Combination microwave-convection ovens offer expanded capabilities.

Steam Ovens

Steam ovens inject hot steam into the cooking cavity, resulting in juicy meats and chewy baked goods. The moist cooking environment prevents foods from drying out. Steam ovens allow healthier cooking without oils. They can also double as steamer appliances for vegetables or seafood.

Pizza Ovens

Purpose-built pizza ovens reach the ultra-high temperatures needed to quickly bake authentic wood-fired pizzas with crispy crusts. Dome-shaped pizza ovens can be made from ceramic, stone, or metal. Some ovens feature both conventional baking and dedicated pizza modes.

Double Ovens

Double ovens provide two separate oven cavities in a single unit, essentially giving you two ovens in one appliance. Double ovens are convenient when baking large holiday meals or cooking different foods at various temperatures. Some units are split with an upper convection oven and lower conventional oven.

Choosing Between Freestanding and Built-In

In addition to picking fuel type and oven style, you’ll need to decide between a freestanding or built-in model. This choice often depends on your existing kitchen layout and cabinets.

Freestanding Ovens

Freestanding ovens are designed to sit on top of a counter or base cabinet without being enclosed by cabinetry. Here are some benefits of freestanding models:

Flexible installation: They can be placed anywhere against a wall and don’t require custom cabinet cutouts.
Diverse styles: Freestanding ovens include stylish finishes like stainless steel that complement modern kitchens.
Seamless upgrades: They can easily be replaced or upgraded down the road without kitchen remodeling.
Cooler cabinets: Keeping the oven separate from cabinets prevents adjacent surfaces from heating up.

Built-in Ovens

Built-in ovens integrate seamlessly into surrounding cabinetry for a sleek, uniform appearance. They can be installed into an existing cabinet cutout or custom framed opening. Here are some upsides to built-in ovens:

Space saving: Being enclosed by cabinets leaves more usable countertop space in the kitchen.
Clean look: Built-in models deliver a tidier integrated aesthetic compared to freestanding units.
Versatile configurations: Built-in ovens can be installed in vertical or horizontal orientations.
Flush design: Cabinet fronts can attach right to the oven frame for a continuous look.

One downside of built-in ovens is that they require more custom carpentry work during renovations. The cabinets and oven must be appropriately sized to fit together.

Oven Capacity and Dimensions

When shopping for any appliance, measuring your existing space is an essential first step. Oven capacity is measured in cubic feet, with larger ovens able to accommodate bigger dishes and more simultaneous items. Standard external oven dimensions are:

Compact: 24 inches wide x 24 inches deep x 27 inches tall
Medium: 27 inches wide x 25 inches deep x 30 inches tall
Large: 30 inches wide x 25 inches deep x 30 inches tall
Extra-large: 36+ inches wide x 25 inches deep x 30 inches tall

Double ovens are obviously wider and taller to provide two oven cavities. Be sure to measure your intended installation location to ensure a proper fit. Also account for necessary clearance around the sides, top, and rear of the oven.

Oven Racks and Arrangements

The number, style, and configuration of oven racks also vary between models. More racks provide greater flexibility in arranging pans across multiple levels. Common rack types include:

Flat racks: Durable fixed wire racks suitable for most tasks. Often finished in porcelain or chrome.
Rolling racks: Racks that smoothly glide out of the oven on wheels for easy access.
Full extension racks: Racks that fully extend out of the oven cavity on sliders, making food loading/unloading easier.
Telescoping racks: Racks made of parallel metal tubes that telescope outward when extended.
Broiler pans: Specialized pans with a perforated top and shallow base for broiling meats to allow fat/grease drainage.

Some more advanced oven rack features include:

Self-cleaning racks: Racks coated with a smooth porcelain enamel finish that cleans itself during the oven’s self-cleaning cycle.
Quick-release racks: Racks that can be easily removed and reinserted without needing to unscrew or unlatch.
Adjustable rack positions: Multiple shelf positions at various heights to accommodate items of all sizes.

When evaluating oven racks, look for durable all-metal construction and smooth gliding mechanisms for ease of use, especially for large or heavy items.

Special Oven Features and Settings

Beyond the basics of fuel type, capacity, and racks, modern ovens come packed with specialized features and settings that enable expanded cooking options.

Convection Cooking

As noted above, convection ovens use an internal fan to circulate hot air for faster, more even cooking results. Convection settings work well for multi-rack baking and batch cooking.

Broilers

A broiler applies intense top heat from an exposed electric heating element or gas flame. Broiling works well for searing thick steaks, chops, or poultry skin. Look for a high-powered broiler with heat output between 12,000-18,000 BTU.

Self-Cleaning Mode

This uses extremely high heat (800-1000°F) to burn off baked-on grease and residue. Self-cleaning can be harsh on surfaces, so it should be used judiciously. Continuous cleaning ovens provide gentler low-heat cleaning.

Proofing Mode

Ideal for commercial and home bakers alike, proofing mode holds a low consistent temperature between 80-100°F with high humidity. This creates ideal conditions for dough proofing to rise before baking.

Dehydrating Mode

Dehydrating food preserves it by removing moisture. Low, steady heat between 130-170°F over several hours dehydrates fruits, vegetables, meats, and herbs for storage.

Pizza Mode

Pizza mode combines various elements like convection airflow, bottom heating, and broiler action to perfectly cook homemade pizzas. It can crispen up takeout pizza as well.

Meat Probe Thermometers

Probes inserted into roasts or poultry display the internal temperature on a digital display. The oven automatically shuts off when the target temperature is reached, preventing overcooking.

Smart Oven Connectivity

WiFi-enabled ovens let users remotely monitor cook times, adjust temperatures, and diagnose issues from smart devices. Voice control integration even allows hands-free access.

Energy Efficiency

With repeated high-heat use, ovens inevitably consume significant energy. Choosing an energy-efficient model saves money and benefits the environment. What should you look for when evaluating oven efficiency?

Insulation: Multiple oven cavity walls retain heat better than single layers. Glass doors also reduce heat loss when not opened frequently.
Tight door seals: Well-designed rubber gaskets prevent heat from escaping through oven door gaps.
Convection fans: Moving hot air with fans enables cooking at lower temperatures using less energy.
Broil elements: Infrared broil elements apply intense heat directly to food, consuming less energy than maintaining a hot oven cavity.
Automatic shut-off: Ovens that power down after a set time prevent waste if you forget baked items inside.
Energy certification: Look for ovens certified under energy efficiency standards like Energy Star and CEE Tier 3.

Leading Oven Brands

With this foundation of oven knowledge, now the fun starts in selecting a brand and model that best fits your needs and budget. These are some of the top oven manufacturers and product lines to consider:

GE: Cafe, Profile, and Monogram series ovens featuring convection, double oven, and smart oven options.
Samsung: Flex Duo ovens with dual fuel configurations (gas cooktop/electric oven) and WiFi connectivity.
Whirlpool: Brands like Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, and Amana offering mid-range to high-end oven models.
Bosch: 800 Series ovens praised for precise European convection baking performance.
Thermador: Luxury Freedom Induction ovens with induction cooktops and innovative steam and convection modes.
Viking: Professional-grade ultra-high BTU convection and pro-style dual fuel ovens made in America.
Wolf: Double oven options, dual-stacked convection fans, and red knob styling on Sub-Zero’s premium Wolf line.

No matter your priorities in fuel type, size, configuration, and functionality, there is an ideal oven solution waiting for your culinary creations. Follow this guide, measure your space, and take time to browse the aisles and online listings. The oven of your cooking dreams is right around the corner. Let the feasting begin!