How to choose the right oven - expert reviews

The oven is the pompous name of a modest kitchen worker, oven. However, today this technique has seriously “become smarter”, acquired new useful functions and acquired a completely modern stylish look. One thing is bad - the price for it also increased. Therefore, the choice of the oven must be approached carefully, so that you do not get upset about the unbaked pies and the wasted money.

The best manufacturers of ovens - which company to choose

The first thing we look at when buying household appliances is the name of the manufacturer. We all have our favorites, who are attracted by the quality of products, stylish design or price.

But if you have not yet decided which brand you like best, pay attention to the well-known brands:

1. Gorenje

2. Bosch

3. Electrolux

4. Ariston

5. Siemens

These companies are recognized leaders in the market of large kitchen appliances. They produce the best ovens, in which functionality, reliability and price are perfectly balanced.

In our rating you can get acquainted with the best ovens listed brands and find yourself a suitable model. But we still recommend that you first familiarize yourself with the basic criteria for choosing an oven, so that the purchase is truly successful.

Oven unit

The oven is not the most complex kitchen appliances, consisting of only a few basic elements. Heaters (heating elements or gas burners) are located inside a thermally insulated housing; they can be controlled using rotary knobs, buttons or a touch screen placed on an external panel. The oven itself is closed by a thick glass door - two- or three-layer. Inside there are only grates for dishes, a tray and a lighting lamp.

Some designs of ovens also provide for the presence of a fan inside, which provides convection of hot air.

In the most advanced models there may be other elements:

• Spit;
• Grill;
• Thermal probe;
• Steam channels;
• Microwave module.

Types of ovens

The classification of kitchen ovens provides for their division into several main groups. As a rule, they are distinguished by the type of energy used (gas or electricity), as well as by the method of installation.

Gas

Prepares food with good old gas burners. Such an oven is cheaper than electric one, but it also significantly loses its functionality. It uses the simplest principle of control - the intensity of the burner is regulated by turning the knob. In modern models, you can also find the functions of auto ignition and gas control.

The maximum heating of the chamber usually does not exceed + 230 ° C. As for the overall dimensions of such equipment, the height and depth here is almost always standard 60x60 cm. Only the width varies from 45 to 90 cm, due to which a different internal volume is obtained (from 25 to 74 liters).

Pros:

• Relative non-volatility and low cost of gas;
• Large capacity;
• Simple, reliable and quite maintainable design;
• Quick warm-up;
• You can find models with additional features (for example, with the upper grill);
• Affordable price.

Minuses:

• Poor functionality by today's standards;
• Fire hazard;
• A modest range of individual models;
• Strict security requirements that must be followed during installation and connection.

The taste of dishes in the gas oven is obtained as if they were cooked on a fire, although the combustion products that are eaten are not too healthy. But compared to the electric one, the gas oven breaks less frequently, and its repair is much easier and cheaper.

Electric

Here, powerful infrared heating elements are used for cooking, although induction ovens have recently begun to appear. Such cabinets have an enviable set of functions and are able to cook almost any dish. However, they are expensive, and repairs, in which case, will cost a pretty penny.

Electric models can provide heating up to +500 ° C, but you have to pay for it - in the truest sense of the word. The power consumption of such equipment (depending on its class) ranges from 600-1600 Wh. In addition, the electric oven needs to be connected to a separate line with the installation of a good outlet, since its power is quite high: 1-4 kW.

The capacity of ovens ranges from 25 to 111 liters, while the main dimensions remain the same as those of gas models. Only the width of the chamber in this case can reach 120 cm.

Pros:

• Multifunctional, often have a large selection of automatic and customizable programs;
• Relatively easy to install;
• Very powerful and at the same time provide uniform heating of dishes;
• Safe if properly connect the wiring;
• A rich selection of models for every taste and wallet.

Minuses:

• On average, the cost is higher than on gas ovens;
• High consumption of expensive electricity;
• Demanding on the quality of wiring.

• See also: top electric ovens

Built in

The main advantage of built-in cabinets is their invisibility. They can be hidden in any kitchen unit, leaving only a glazed door with a control panel in sight. As a rule, they do not differ in large sizes - their width does not exceed 45-60 cm. The type of energy carrier does not play a role - it is possible to build in a furniture wall with equal success both a gas and an electric oven.

Pros:

• Can be installed in any convenient place in the work area;
• Fits well with the overall range of cabinets;
• Does not occupy the excess space.

Minuses:

• Cost higher than freestanding models;
• You rarely find a large built-in wardrobe;
• Require a ventilated niche device strictly to the size of the case.

Standing separately

This category includes desktop and floor models that do not involve embedding in furniture. They are equipped with height-adjustable legs, but otherwise nothing is different from other ovens.

Pros:

• No problems when choosing and installing;
• Simplicity and reliability;
• The ability to move the oven to another point in the kitchen;
• Adequate cost.

Minuses:

• Occupy a useful area;
• In the case of floor models, you will have to stoop to control the cooking.

Oven selection options

Dimensions and internal volume

Despite the apparent diversity, the dimensions of the ovens are kept within the standard framework. Embedded models have a height of 55-60 cm and the same depth. There are only two width options: 45 cm for small kitchens and 60 for all others. However, you can search for ovens that occupy a 90 cm cupboard. When buying, pay attention to the so-called embedding dimensions - they are usually slightly smaller, but should clearly coincide with the internal dimensions of the furniture module where the oven is installed.

Freestanding models have a length and height of approximately 45-55 cm, and can reach 90 or even 120 cm in width. There is no need to calibrate dimensions to a millimeter, if only the oven could fit in your kitchen in the space provided.

Its capacity directly depends on the size of the oven, which, in turn, must be selected taking into account the composition and appetites of your family:

• For 4 people, an average oven of 50-70 liters is required;
• If you have a small family or you rarely use the oven, a compact model for 25-45 liters is enough;
• Those who often and a lot of baking, you should pay attention to the spacious equipment with a volume of 60 to 90 liters.

Power and temperature of heating (for electric ovens)

We have already said that the power of electric ovens can vary from 1 to 4 kW. But these are boundary values ​​that occur infrequently.

The most common are the oven, consuming from 2 to 3 kW. And the maximum heating temperature of internal heating elements will depend on this indicator:

• At 3.5-4 kW, the oven is able to give up to +500 ° C;
• Models with a capacity from 2 to 3 kW heat up to +300 ° C;
• Weak ovens up to 2 kW heat up no higher than +150 .. + 200 ° С.

Control method

Ovens are dependent and independent. In the first case, they are literally connected with the cooking surface, on which the common control panel is located. On the one hand, this is quite convenient; on the other hand, it will not be easy to find a tandem, where both the stove and the oven fully satisfy your needs. An independent oven is an independent household appliance that can be installed at the other end of the kitchen, if you prefer.

Now consider the actual ways to control the operation of the oven. There are only two of them:

1. Mechanical - this is the good old handles and a little more modern buttons, with the help of which the temperature regimes are controlled. This option is convenient, but only if the oven has a small number of functions.

2. Electronic - it would be more fair to call it sensory. The control here takes place with the help of menus and icons, which the built-in processor displays on the display. Such cabinets look very solid, and the touch panel allows you to easily operate with dozens of different modes and record your own settings in the memory of the oven.

Cleaning type

Manufacturers of kitchen appliances to facilitate the work of housewives offer ovens that can self-clean from soot and grease. But how effectively does it work?

The so-called steam cleaning actually means that there is no cleaning at all. To launder the fat, it is suggested to pour water or a soap solution into the pan and put it in a working oven. Steam will soften the fat on the inner walls, after which they will need to be quickly wiped with paper towels or a sponge.

Catalytic system - everything is already honest here. Plates with a special coating are installed inside the oven, which decomposes the fat as a result of a chemical reaction, which simplifies its removal. As a rule, the applied catalyst lasts for about 400 cycles, after which the plates need to be changed. Pay attention to what part of the oven they are located. Manufacturers usually insert a false-panel only on the sides and much less often - on the back of the chamber.

Pyrolytic system - this is a real cleaning. This feature is available in powerful ovens, issuing from 3 to 4 kW. When you turn on pyrolysis, the chamber is heated to a temperature of +500 ° C and simply burns out food debris and fat on the walls. The ashes are pulled out by a special fan installed inside; however, in this mode, it is worthwhile to additionally include a kitchen hood. When the oven cools down, you just need to remove the dry ash.

Modes of operation

The more modes of operation has the oven, the more different culinary masterpieces you can create with it.

But do not pursue redundant functionality - choose a model that has only the programs you need:

• Defrosting - normal or accelerated;
• Actually cooking (at different temperatures);
• Convection;
• Cooking on two levels;
• Browning;
• Grill;
• Microwave;
• Steam cooking.

Also in electric ovens there can be a whole list of programs for cooking various dishes (roast, bread, cakes, pizza, etc.).

In the case of gas models, rich functionality is only welcome, since all the additional options here are not aimed at simplifying cooking, but at increasing the level of safety. And if the built-in automatic ignition in a gas oven is nothing more than a good tone, then gas control, which blocks the nozzles when the fuel supply is temporarily interrupted, will save your life someday.

What oven to buy

1. If you are already an experienced housewife and live in a house with gas, buy an inexpensive gas oven for yourself - you will have enough opportunities for cooking your favorite dishes and baking. Select the volume based on the size of the kitchen and the appetites of your family.

2. Young housewives and those who do not give cooking in the oven can be helped by an electrical model with touch controls and an abundance of programs stored in the memory. With it, you will not exactly confuse the temperature with a recipe and get perfectly baked dishes. And most importantly - you do not have to constantly slam the door to check the readiness of products. Smart technology will turn itself off when the time comes.

3. If you have a small kitchen, where everything needs to be placed as compact as possible, look for a built-in oven 45 cm wide. In this case, it is advisable to choose a “hybrid” model with a microwave and steamer function. It will be more expensive, but you can refuse to buy extra equipment and save a little more storage space.

4. You have a large kitchen, and you often bake a lot? Take a roomy freestanding oven 60-90 liters. Additional features like skewers and top grills are welcome - with them your daily menu will become even more diverse. It is desirable that the design envisages catalytic, and better pyrolytic cleaning of the chamber.

5. For those who use the oven infrequently, an inexpensive and compact model 45 cm wide will suffice. If this is an electrical cabinet, it’s not worth pursuing extra power - 2 kW will be enough. At the same time save the weak wiring.

Cost of ovens

1. Prices for built-in electric ovens start from 8,700 rubles for the simplest model with mechanical control and reach up to 425,000, if this is a branded appliance with a steamer function and a touch panel.

2. Isolated appliances cost less on average - from 10 to 150 thousand rubles.

3. The most inexpensive built-in gas-fired oven can be found with Belarusian manufacturers at a price of 10-13 thousand rubles.

4. Detached models cost even less - from 7,000. The ceiling of prices for such cabinets is also relatively low: 130 and 36 thousand rubles, respectively.