Built-in ovens are renowned for their ability to slot into virtually any kitchen setup. Whether installed at eye-level or below your cooktop, you will enjoy the diverse range of programs on offer. From roasting to baking, built-in ovens are continuously evolving to cook your food more evenly and in a timely way that suits your lifestyle. Discover a range of built-in ovens at Rick Hart Outlet from brand such as Westinghouse, Bosch, Fisher & Paykel, Ilve, Electrolux, and more. Before you grill us about the differences between the various types of built-in ovens, allow us to present you with this buying guide to make your decision much simpler.
Types Of Ovens
When it comes to choosing an oven, it's important to consider the different types available on the market. Here are a few common types:
- Single Ovens: Single ovens are the most common type and feature a single cooking cavity. They come in various sizes and are suitable for most households, offering ample cooking space for everyday meals.
- Double Ovens: Double ovens consist of two separate cooking cavities stacked vertically. This configuration allows you to cook multiple dishes simultaneously at different temperatures, making them ideal for those who love to entertain or frequently cook elaborate meals.
- Pyrolytic Ovens: Pyrolytic ovens feature a self-cleaning function that uses high temperatures to incinerate food residues and spills, reducing them to ash. This feature simplifies oven maintenance and eliminates the need for harsh chemical cleaners.
- Ovens With Steam: Ovens with steam functionality have a built-in water reservoir or direct water connection. They allow you to add moisture during cooking, which can help retain food's natural juiciness and improve texture. Steam ovens are particularly useful for baking bread, pastries, and achieving tender results with meats.
- Ovens With Separate Grill: Ovens with a separate grill compartment offer the versatility of grilling and baking in one appliance. The grill is usually positioned at the top of the oven and can be used independently or in combination with other cooking functions.
- Compact Ovens: Compact ovens are designed for kitchens with limited space or for those who have lighter cooking needs. They are smaller in size but still offer essential cooking functions, making them suitable for smaller households or as an additional oven in larger kitchens.
Consider your cooking habits, available space, and desired functionalities to determine which type of oven best suits your needs.
Fuel Type: Electric vs Gas
When choosing an oven, it's important to consider the pros and cons of each fuel type. Here's a breakdown of the advantages and disadvantages of electric and gas ovens:
Electric Ovens:
- Even Heat Distribution: Electric ovens offer consistent and even heat distribution throughout the cooking cavity, resulting in evenly cooked dishes and baked goods.
- Precise Temperature Control: Electric ovens provide precise temperature control, allowing you to set and maintain specific temperatures for your recipes.
- Additional Features: Many electric ovens come with additional features such as convection cooking, which uses a fan to circulate hot air, resulting in faster and more even cooking.
- Slower Heating: Electric ovens generally take longer to heat up compared to gas ovens, which can increase the overall cooking time for certain dishes.
- Higher Energy Consumption: Electric ovens tend to consume more energy than gas ovens, potentially leading to higher energy bills.
- Many more Electric Ovens available on the market than Gas.
Gas Ovens:
- Instant Heat: Gas ovens provide instant heat, allowing you to start cooking immediately without the need to wait for the oven to preheat.
- Precise Temperature Control: Gas ovens offer precise temperature control, making it easier to adjust the heat levels during cooking.
- Moist Cooking Environment: Gas ovens tend to retain moisture better than electric ovens, which can be beneficial for certain cooking techniques and result in juicy and flavorful dishes.
- Uneven Heat Distribution: Gas ovens may have slight temperature variations throughout the oven cavity, which can affect the cooking consistency for some recipes.
- Limited Additional Features: Gas ovens typically have fewer additional features compared to electric ovens, such as convection cooking or self-cleaning functions.
Oven Size
When it comes to selecting a built-in oven, considering both external dimensions and cavity size is important. The available options will depend on whether you're replacing an existing oven or installing a new one. Let's explore the factors to keep in mind:
External Dimensions:
If you're replacing an oven, you are generally constrained by the style and size of the existing space. Standard wall ovens typically have a width of 60cm, which is sufficient for most cooking tasks. However, you can also find ovens in other common widths, such as 75cm and 90cm, which are better suited for larger families or those who frequently entertain.
It's worth noting that the width of an oven's facade doesn't always reflect the internal volume, so it's essential to look inside and consider the cavity size.
Cavity Size:
Examining the interior capacity of an oven is crucial to ensure it meets your cooking needs. Using a single wall oven as a reference point, the following guidelines can be helpful:
- Small Capacity: Typically ranging between 30 and 45 litres, small capacity ovens are suitable for basic cooking tasks or for individuals with limited cooking requirements.
- Average Capacity: The average capacity falls within the range of 45 to 70 litres. Ovens within this range provide ample space for most cooking needs and can accommodate various dishes simultaneously.
- Large Capacity: Ovens with a capacity greater than 70 litres are considered on the larger side. These spacious ovens are ideal for families or those who frequently cook for gatherings or special occasions.
Considering both external dimensions and internal cavity size will help you find an oven that fits your available space and fulfills your cooking requirements.
Pyrolytic Ovens
Pyrolytic ovens feature a self-cleaning mode that significantly simplifies the cleaning process. Here's how it works: the oven heats up to approximately 500°C, reducing grease and food residues to ash. Once the oven has cooled down, you can easily wipe away the ash, leaving the interior clean and ready to use. Here are a few additional pointers related to pyrolytic ovens:
- Mechanical Locking: During the cleaning process, pyrolytic ovens have a safety feature that keeps the oven door mechanically locked. This ensures that the extremely high temperatures remain contained and reduces the risk of accidents. The door typically remains locked for the duration of the cleaning cycle, which usually lasts around three hours.
- Removing Shelves and Side Runners: To prepare for a pyrolytic clean, it's important to remove all stainless steel shelves and side runners from the oven. These components may not withstand the high temperatures of the self-cleaning mode, so taking them out beforehand will prevent any potential damage.
- Manual Cleaning of Racks and Glass Door: While pyrolytic cleaning effectively handles residue on the oven walls, it's important to note that you'll still need to manually clean the racks and the inside of the glass door. These areas may require some additional attention and can be cleaned using appropriate cleaning agents or methods recommended by the oven manufacturer.
Taking advantage of the self-cleaning function in pyrolytic ovens can save you time and effort in maintaining a clean oven interior. However, it's important to follow the manufacturer's instructions and take necessary safety precautions when using the self-cleaning mode.
Common Oven Programs
Modern ovens come equipped with various cooking programs and modes to enhance your culinary experience. Here are some commonly found oven programs:
- Fan-Forced: The fan-forced mode, also known as convection cooking, circulates hot air throughout the oven cavity. This program ensures even heat distribution, reducing cooking time and producing consistent results. It's ideal for baking, roasting, and multi-rack cooking.
- Conventional: The conventional mode, also referred to as traditional or static cooking, uses heating elements at the top and bottom of the oven. It provides reliable heat from both elements, making it suitable for a wide range of cooking tasks such as baking, roasting, and slow cooking.
- Fan Grill: The fan grill program combines the fan-forced and grill elements to provide even heat distribution while grilling. It's useful for achieving a crispy exterior while ensuring thorough cooking of meats, fish, and vegetables.
- Grill Only: The grill-only mode activates the top heating element, allowing you to quickly brown and crisp the top layer of your dishes. It's perfect for adding a golden finish to casseroles, gratins, and toasting bread.
- Defrost: The defrost mode gently circulates cool air, helping to thaw frozen food quickly and evenly without cooking it. This program is convenient when you need to defrost ingredients before cooking or when handling frozen baked goods.
- Bottom Element: The bottom element program utilizes the heating element located at the bottom of the oven. It provides intense heat from the bottom, making it suitable for recipes that require a crispy or well-browned base, such as pizzas or tarts.
- Steam: Ovens with a steam program offer the ability to introduce moisture during cooking. The steam mode helps retain food's natural juiciness, enhance flavors, and is particularly useful for baking bread, pastries, and preparing delicate dishes.
Explore the available oven programs and select the ones that align with your cooking preferences and the types of dishes you commonly prepare.
