Currently building a new kitchen? Or thinking about getting a new oven but not sure what to get? We thought that National Pizza Day would be a great day to give you some advice on how to choose the best oven for your kitchen.
So while you’re cooking your pizza today (other food types are available), take a look at our handy guide.
Freestanding or built-in?
One of the first things you need to do when you’re choosing a new oven is decide if you want a built-in one that’s integrated into your kitchen cabinets, or a freestanding one that’s part of a cooker.
Built-in ovens give you the opportunity to separate your hob and oven. This is a great practical solution if your kitchen often has multiple people cooking in it. It also gives you the option to elevate your oven if you don’t like stooping down to it.
If you get a freestanding cooker, this will mean that your hob and oven(s) are attached. Freestanding cookers are popular because you can usually take them with you if you move house. Some cookers take up more space than built-in ovens, as they’re often wider, and they have to sit on the ground.
How many ovens do you need?
It’s also vital to work out how many ovens you need. If you only usually cook one dish at a time in the oven then you probably only need one. But if you frequently find that you want to use the grill and oven at the same time, or you want to cook multiple dishes at different temperatures, then you might need more than one oven.
Remember that if you want more than one oven they don’t necessarily need to be attached. Lots of people choose to have a single oven in one part of their kitchen, and a compact oven with a grill in another area. This is a great option if you have limited space or are particular about your kitchen design.
What size oven do you want?
Oven size is also important. Most built-in ovens tend to be 60cm wide. This is a standard width for kitchen appliances. However, oven heights and capacity can vary quite a lot.
Most single built-in ovens are about 60cm high. This makes them pretty versatile – they don’t take up much space so you’ve got more choice on where to put them. Double ovens are usually 72cm or 90cm tall, and single compact ovens are 45cm tall.
Remember that two ovens can be the same size on the outside but different sizes on the inside. So if you’re comparing two standard single ovens for example, make sure you find out what their capacity is.
The ovens in freestanding cookers tend to vary in size more. Look into the oven sizes for individual makes and cookers to find out your options.
Think about how much food you usually cook in the oven at one time when you’re deciding on oven size. Ideally, you’ll want one that you can fit a whole roast dinner in or enough pizza for your whole household on National Pizza Day! Of course, you can go for something smaller, but just bear in mind that it might make cooking big meals tricky.
Gas or electric?
Of course, not everyone has the choice of what fuel they use to cook their food. But if you do, it’s worth picking carefully.
A gas oven is ideal if you want something cheap to run, as gas costs less to cook with than electric. But built-in gas ovens can be tricky to find and where you put your oven may be dictated by your gas supply.
Electric ovens are popular because they have great heat distribution and more accurate temperature controls than gas ovens. You’ll also find that there are plenty of electric ovens available to choose from.
So once you’ve answered these 4 questions, you should have a clearer idea of the best type of oven for your kitchen. This should be one that suits your home, cooking habits and kitchen design. If you want to get in touch with a professional for more advice, complete our online form. We’ll connect you with up to 4 local contractors.
Happy National Pizza Day!