Ovens - Buyers Guide

Kitchens are the heart of a home, and if you last bought a new oven a while ago, you will be surprised by the technological advances and myriad of options available.

Whether renovating the kitchen or upgrading your old appliance, our oven buying guide will help you navigate the different types, sizes, and features to consider that will suit your cooking needs and seamlessly fit into your home.

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What kind of fuel source should I go for?

The fuel source is the first factor to consider when buying an oven. Choose between gas and electric ovens depending on your preferences and budget. If you are upgrading an existing model, the mains supply you have in your home will dictate whether you go with a gas or an electric one.

If you can't decide, opt for a dual fuel range that combines the best of both worlds - featuring a gas hob and an electric oven.

Different types of ovens

The next thing to consider is the oven configuration. There are two main types of ovens: built-in and freestanding.

Built-in oven

Also known as wall ovens, they are designed to be installed into kitchen cabinets or walls, giving you a seamless look and maximum flexibility in terms of location. If you install a standalone built-in oven, you will need a separate cooktop installed on your kitchen bench.

Single wall ovens - these are typically installed at eye level or under a bench. They are generally perfect for most families' roasting and baking needs. The most common width is 60cm.

Double oven units are installed at eye level, offering the convenience of more cooking options as both ovens operate independently of each other. Installed side by side or above one another.

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Freestanding oven

Freestanding models are standalone kitchen appliances that are not built into the cabinets but sit on the floor. They come in different sizes and styles, from compact to large and traditional to modern, based on your kitchen space and the amount of cooking you do - from 56cm to 150cm. This style of oven combines oven and cooktop into one unit.

The styling of freestanding ovens can vary from a single area to multi-cavity ovens with three or four oven chambers to suit your cooking and baking needs. These oven ranges include a cooktop using gas, induction, ceramic, or dual fuel ovens with a single gas burner.

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Benchtop / toaster oven

Benchtop ovens are a great alternative to full sized ovens as they use a lot less power and heat up very quickly. They can bake, grill, toast and some even AirFry or have built in Hot Plates. These compact units are perfect for areas that are limited in space making them ideal for granny flats, students, smaller kitchen areas and family bach's.

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Size and capacity to suit your household

Your ideal oven size depends on your cooking, frequency, kitchen space, and household size.

For couples

Compact sized ovens are ideal for apartment living, couples, or households of 1-2 people.

For families

The standard 60cm oven suits most Kiwi families and is a common choice in most homes.

For big families & avid entertainers

If you have a big family or love hosting weekend parties and gatherings, having a larger oven (preferably 90cm) or a double oven is a must for cooking a feast.

Choose features to suit your lifestyle

Different ovens come with varying cooking features, so it is noteworthy to consider what you'll be using the appliance for. Some have multiple cooking functions, such as convection, broiling, and baking, while others may have features like self-cleaning or steam cleaning to make life easy for you.

Energy efficiency:
Ovens can use a lot of energy. Look for one with a high Energy Star rating or using less energy overall. Helps reduce your carbon footprint and save money on power bills over a long period.

Settings and functions:
Fan-forced or convection setting is non-negotiable for most people looking for a new oven. Some models come equipped with four preset settings, whereas others come with up to 17 settings for getting the right temperature, cooking proteins, browning, keeping food from drying out and more.

Cool-to-touch doors:
The multi-layer panels insulate the door, ensuring it remains cool. A must-have for families with young children or pets, providing safety against burns.

Timer and delayed-start:
Delayed bake option allows you to set a mode to start later in the day and shut off when the cooking is complete, or the timer function sounds a 'ding' when the set time for the baking process is over.

Self-cleaning ovens:
A game-changer for busy households - they save you time and effort in cleaning the oven. Pyrolytic ovens burn off baked-on residue into dust, making it easy to wipe off with a damp cloth. In comparison, catalytic liners absorb and burn off grease. Run a steam cycle regularly for steam ovens to soften residues, making it easier to wipe gunk away.

Telescopic runners:
Fully extendable, telescopic shelves make it easier to check on your food by drawing the racks in and out while removing hot dishes.

Drawers:
Pair your oven with a drawer to keep food warm, reheat leftovers, and preheat cold crockery and cups. There are also drawers specifically designed for sous vide cooking, dehydrating, slow cooking and more.

Steam cooking:
Steam ovens combine the right amount of steam and hot air during cooking, preserving nutrients and flavour. It prevents food from drying out while keeping your proteins juicy.

Meat and food probe:
Some ovens come outfitted with a food probe that can measure the core temperature of your protein to ensure it is cooked well.

Sous vide cooking:
Lock in moisture and preserve the incredible flavour using precisely-controlled heat and airflow. The sous vide function helps prepare food perfectly in a vacuum-sealed bag in the oven.

Smart oven functionality:
They offer advanced features such as Wi-Fi connectivity, voice control, real-time alerts when food is ready, an in-built camera and recipe suggestions. Smart ovens are great for cooks of all skill levels and make life convenient with the ability to control your oven from anywhere with your phone.

Assisted Cooking:
Select from pre-set recipes and the desired level of doneness, which results in the oven automatically generating the ideal time, temperature and humidity. You can adjust the setting manually as well.

Need help? We're here to help you.

If you need help deciding which oven is best for your kitchen, head to your nearest Harvey Norman store to talk with our in-house experts. You can also chat with our team from the comfort of your home.

Take your culinary skills to the next level with your own oven.

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