Built-in ovens: How to buy the best oven Types of oven
Whether you’re looking to buy a gas or electric, single or double built-in oven, before you hit the high-street or search online make sure the oven you buy is right for you. So whether you go for an oven from AEG-Electrolux, Baumatic, Beko, Belling, Bosch, Delonghi, Electrolux, Fagor, Gorenje, Hotpoint, Indesit, John Lewis, Miele, Neff, New World, Siemens, Smeg, Stoves, Whirlpool or Zanussi, use the Which? guide to find the built-in oven that best suits your needs.
Types of oven
There are four types of built-in oven; single gas, double gas, single electric and double electric. Electric single and electric double ovens are by far the most popular ovens with consumers and dominate the market but if you like gas, you will be able to find ovens to suit you.
Electric single ovens
Electric ovens distribute heat evenly
If space is tight in your kitchen and you have plenty of other units and appliances to fit in, a single built-in oven will be a good option. Electric ovens are great at maintaining an even temperature so if you’re a baker, this is something to consider. At just 60cm high they don’t take up too much space and you won’t have to pay too much for a good one. Which? has tested and reviewed over 30 electric single ovens.
Pros Oven temperature stability, can be installed under a counter or at eye-level, plenty to choose from at a variety of prices.
Cons Having the grill built-in to the main oven capacity limits your cooking options.
Electric double ovens
Double-electric ovens offer you more cooking options
Larger than singles and with two ovens, electric double ovens offer the option of cooking in both ovens at the same time. You’ll need more space for a double oven with smaller doubles measuring up to about 72cm in height and larger ones about 90cm. Like singles, electric double ovens are very good at maintaining an even temperature throughout the oven capacity making them great for baking bread or cakes. Which? has tested and reviewed over 25 electric double ovens.
Pros More cooking options than single ovens.
Cons They take up more space and larger ovens will need to built-in at eye level, so your kitchen will need to be set up for this.
Gas single ovens
Single gas oven with grill
If cooking with gas is your preference but you don’t have too much room in your kitchen, a gas single oven will be a good choice. At about 60cm high you’ll be able to build the oven into a cabinet at eye level or under a kitchen counter. Gas ovens need to be installed by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Which? has tested and reviewed five single gas ovens.
Pros Gas is cheaper than electricity so you’ll save money if you cook on gas.
Cons Gas ovens aren’t quite as good at distributing heat around the oven as electric ovens.
Gas double ovens
Two gas ovens are handy for the busy cook
If you have enough space, are a busy cook and like cooking with gas, a double gas oven will be your best bet. Double gas ovens are either about 72cm tall for models that can be built-under or built-in at eye level or 90cm for ovens which can only be built-in at eye level. All gas ovens need to be installed by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Which? has tested and reviewed one double gas oven.
Pros More cooking options than single ovens.
Cons Because of their size, they won’t be for every kitchen, and they will need to be professionally installed.
Ovens reviewed by Which?
Which? has tested and reviewed ovens from manufacturers including ovens from manufacturers including AEG-Electrolux, Baumatic, Beko, Belling, Bosch, Delonghi, Electrolux, Fagor, Gorenje, Hotpoint, Indesit, John Lewis, Miele, Neff, New World, Siemens, Smeg, Stoves, Whirlpool and Zanussi.
Check out the Which? oven reviews for the latest Best Buys.