Helping you choose the best electric oven
Electric ovens buyers guide
The oven is the cornerstone of any kitchen and choosing the right one is a crucial part of creating a space where you will enjoy cooking and entertaining. A great starting point is to opt for an electric, rather than a gas-powered, model. Shopping with us here at Knees Home & Electrical will ensure that you can choose from an exceptional range of models from leading manufacturers such as Bosch, Neff, and Smeg and discover the best electric oven for your needs.
Advantages of electric ovens
Whilst both gas and electric ovens have their advantages, many people prefer electric ovens because they allow for better control over oven temperature. Electric ovens benefit from built-in digital thermostats, and if the oven is also fan-assisted, it will also be better at overall even heat distribution. Another factor worth considering is that an electric oven can be simply and swiftly installed at home (assuming that there is already a professionally installed electrical circuit dedicated to an oven in place), whereas a gas-powered oven will need to be professionally installed by a qualified Gas Safe engineer.
The different models
When it comes to setting up your ideal cooking environment, there are a few things to consider. Are you looking for a separate hob and oven configuration, or would you prefer an all-in-one model, where the hob is set on top of the electric oven (or ovens), keeping all of your cooking in one convenient space-saving location? Think about how you are likely to use your oven, too. If you enjoy entertaining at home, you have a large family, you may find that a double electric oven makes for a smart choice. Similarly, keen bakers may wish to supplement their existing kitchen set up with an additional single electric oven, perhaps set into a unit.
Preparing for your oven
Ovens come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, so it’s vital that you select a model that will fit your chosen location in your kitchen. Whilst in the past, ovens were traditionally set into a spot between kitchen units, and against a wall, these days, your choice of location is more varied. Built-in eye level ovens are an increasingly popular option, especially for those who don’t want to have to bend down to check on progress. In addition, with the rise of the kitchen island as the heart of the kitchen, many cooks opt to have their oven incorporated into this central unit. Do bear in mind that, due to the heat generated by an oven, there will need to be at least four feet of space between it and the nearest electrical appliance.
Choosing a freestanding electric oven
If you decide that a freestanding electric oven is the right choice for you, bear in mind that there needs to be around a foot of space between the unit and any adjacent sidewall, so you will need to factor this into your measurements. However, freestanding ovens may be safely placed against a back wall.
There are some additional choices for you to make when opting for a freestanding oven, such as whether you would prefer an integrated hob. You will also want to consider a cooker hood, with a built-in fan to help counteract the heat and odours generated by cooking.
Choosing a built-in electric oven
You may prefer to work in a number of locations around the kitchen rather than feeling limited by the traditional electric oven and hob configuration. Perhaps you would like to set a hob into a kitchen island, but have your electric oven set into a unit, or maybe you simply prefer the benefits of an oven that can be set at eye level, rather than needing to bend down to check on the progress of your meal.
An electric wall oven can be a particularly stylish way to extend the “cooking zone” in larger kitchen spaces and, depending on the amount of space available and your cooking habits, there is the option of choosing a single electric oven or a double electric oven. In the case of the latter, the two oven units will likely be set one above the other, rather than the side by side arrangement used in electrical oven ranges.
It’s worth remembering that a built-in electric oven will have a significant protrusion when opened, so you will need to factor this in when choosing where to locate it. If you are adding a new oven as part of a comprehensive kitchen re-design, then opting for specially designed cooker cabinets can be a great choice. These can be configured to meet the exact depth of your oven, and feature useful storage space.
Another popular choice is to have your wall oven set into a unit alongside similarly-sized appliances, such as a fridge freezer, thereby maintaining the balance of your kitchen’s proportions. Similarly, setting your oven into a corner of the kitchen can work very well, and allow you to arrange adjacent countertops for maximum use of the available space, making this a particularly good option for compact kitchens.
A host of features
The latest generation of electric ovens now offer their users far more than simply the ability to heat food.- Tech lovers will be excited to find an oven that has Wi-Fi connectivity (ideal for creating a Smart Home environment), as offered by Neff and its innovative Home Connect system.
- Digital controls make light work of precision cooking (particularly beneficial to ambitious bakers)
- Incredible advanced technology such as Neff CircoTherm allows you to cook different dishes perfectly in your oven simultaneously, without the risk of intermingling flavours.
- Some of the latest electric ovens allow you to steam cook, perfect for a health-conscious lifestyle.
- Neff Slide&Hide engineering allows better access to your cooking than ever before, thanks to an oven door that can be slid right into the oven cavity.
- Cleaning, too, can be made simple when you opt for an oven with pyrolytic cleaning capabilities and telescopic runners.
