Which? reviews: Built-in ovens

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If you’re thinking of getting a built-in oven, you’ll want it to be the hottest part of your kitchen. We’ve rated and tested gas and electric ovens to make sure you don’t find yourself going off the boil. 

Around 90% of new homes have a built-in oven, and they’re also a popular choice when fitting a new kitchen. The style and design of kitchen appliances is becoming as important as function. New ovens and grills often have a range of functions or modes, but don't be fooled into thinking that the more modes an oven has, the better or more hi-tech it is. 

For a start, some functions are rather tenuously named – the 'barbecue' mode on one model, for example, is just the top heating element. There's also no consensus over what manufacturers consider a 'function' – some include 'oven light' while others don't include 'recipe' mode. 

Below, we explain more about the features of built-in ovens.

 
 
 

Size

Width

Most built-in ovens are 60cm wide so they fit in a standard kitchen cupboard unit, but their height varies.

A built-in single oven is usually about 60cm high, enabling it to fit either under a worktop or within a tall eye-level unit. Built-in double ovens are taller: those to go under a worktop are about 72cm high, while eye-level models are about 90cm high.

Volume

Single ovens have an internal capacity of between about 50 and 65 litres.

Double ovens tend to have a large main oven of about 45 to 70 litres and a smaller oven of 30 to 35 litres. The smaller oven will usually double as a grill, but on top-end models there can also be a fan.

 
 
 

Basic features

Double ovens

These offer you more cooking options and the ability to cook dishes at different temperatures simultaneously. Some have grills in both ovens for extra flexibility.

Grill

Whether they’re at eye-level or part of the oven itself, good grills spread heat widely and evenly across the grill pan.

Fan ovens

Most electric ovens come with a fan that helps to distribute the heat evenly.

Multi-function cooking

Many ovens are multi-function, which allows you to cook with a combination of heat from the top and the bottom of the oven, the grill and fan.

Steam ovens

Some ovens also have a steam function with an integral water tank. The water is vaporised and provides a quick healthy cooking method.

Doors

All of the ovens we've tested have drop-down doors. It can be inconvenient if you have to lean across a large door to place dishes on the oven shelves, especially if you have a bad back. Some oven doors have glass panels that can be removed, which makes them much easier to clean.

 
 
 

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