Choosing the Best Oven

Choosing an oven can be a confusing business.

There was a time when the only option was a model with chunky controls and a bulky aesthetic.

Not anymore – today’s ovens are in a different league.

So, where do you start? Here are 6 things to consider when choosing an oven for your home.

1. Where will your oven go?

This depends on your kitchen space and design.

If space in your kitchen is tight, a built-in oven – like the Beko AeroPerfect CIFY81X 60cm Built in RecycledNet Single Fan Oven with 5 handy functions, touch control and LED display – is a good idea.

Built-in ovens can fit inside cabinets, saving floor space, plus contribute to a sleek and contemporary look.

But remember you’ll need to buy a separate gas, electric or induction hob.

Explore our range of AEG, Beko, Bosch and NEFF induction, gas and electric hobs.

Combi microwave ovens are another space-saving option. They combine a conventional oven's functionality with a microwave's benefits.

2. What size oven do you need?

Oven size is measured in litres. A standard single gas or electric oven is 60 litres (good for 3 to 4 people), while a standard double oven is 70 to 100 litres. You can get single ovens with a capacity of up to 72L, which is perfect if you do lots of cooking or baking.

Household size and cooking habits are the things to consider here.

3. What oven features will you use?

Think about your cooking, then look for an oven with the right features.

The manufacturer’s product guide will explain each function, how to get the best from it, and what each oven symbol means.

Here are the ones most commonly used*:

Fan oven: Fan ovens spread heat evenly around the oven. They are great for multi-shelf cooking and roasting meat.

Upper and lower heat: Heat is generated from the top and bottom of the oven and spread by convection. This oven is great for single-shelf cooking and roasting meat.

Lower heat only: Heat is generated from the bottom of the oven. Great for stews and casseroles, plus crisping a pizza or flan base.

Defrost: The oven fan is on, but no heat is produced. This is great for defrosting food you need quickly, as the moving air defrosts it faster than leaving it out.

Grill: Use this for anything that sizzles, such as browning dishes or toasting crumpets. Some ovens also have a part-grill option.

Grill with fan: The fan spreads the heat, making it great for cooking thicker pieces of meat or fish without burning the top.

Explore our range of AEG, Beko, Blomberg, Bosch, Hotpoint, NEFF, and Samsung ovens.

4. Could a self-cleaning oven be useful?

If you find oven cleaning a chore, you’re not alone. The good news is that many ovens include pyrolytic, catalytic or steam self-cleaning, saving time and elbow grease.

Pyrolytic cleaning is considered particularly effective and is one of the features of the NEFF B54CR71G0B 60cm Slide and Hide Built In Electric Single Oven. This clever feature turns grease and ft spatter to ash at high temperatures, so all you need to do is wipe it away with a soft cloth.

It also comes with CircoTherm tech, Home Connect plus NEFF’s innovative Slide&Hide® door which tucks away neatly beneath the oven for unrestricted access.

5. What about warming drawers?

Warming drawers can be standalone or built-in. They’re handy for proving bread dough, making yoghurt, and pre-warming crockery and food without drying it out.

6. How techy do you want to go?

Finally, if you like to control your cooking from your smartphone, choose an oven with Home Connect tech like the NEFF B54CR71G0B 60cm Slide and Hide Built In Electric Single Oven.

Home Connect lets you set and monitor your oven (and much more) on the go, perfect for today’s busy lives. 

Whether you’re a budding baker, a novice, or an experienced cook, our range of ovens takes the heat off cooking. Shop online or pop in store and make mealtimes a more peaceful experience.

*Source: Oven Symbols and Controls Explained