Built-in ovens

Here's what to know before choosing your new built-in oven, including the best brands.

What size oven do you need?

Single ovens

• Single ovens can often be mounted under a bench or cooktop, but models with separate warming drawers are too tall so must be installed in a wall unit.
• Extra-wide single ovens are good if you want to cook two things side by side on the same rack. But they have larger trays that are heavy when fully loaded. The trays and racks are also awkward to clean in a standard kitchen sink.

Be aware that extra-wide ovens don’t all have the same usable internal space even if they have the same external dimensions and claimed volume. That’s because manufacturers measure differently.

Check out our test results for useable space. We measure from the lowest rack or baking tray to the grill element, side wall to side wall, and the rear wall to the door.

Double ovens

• Double ovens are effectively two separate ovens stacked one on top of the other, each with its own door and cooking controls. You can bake in one and grill in the other, or bake two things that require different temperatures, one in each compartment.
• Double ovens have to be installed in a wall unit due to their height.

Note: We don’t have test results for double ovens at this time.

What cooking functions do you need?

Most modern ovens are fan-forced. The fan keeps the air circulating, meaning the temperature is consistent in all parts of the oven so food cooks more evenly.

Fan-forced cooking is also faster. But that’s not suitable for all types of food. Some baked goods need to be cooked slower to prevent the outside burning before the inside is done.

While many fan-forced ovens can be used without the fan, some can’t. Check our test results to see which models have the flexibility of both classic bake and fan-assisted cooking.

You’ll also find some models in our test with a steam-assisted cooking function. It’s ideal for baking bread with a fluffy centre and crispy crust.

What to check instore before buying

• What’s the useable space? Take your largest baking dish or a measuring tape into the store to check what will fit in the oven. Don’t rely on manufacturer specifications.
• Are there at least two grill tray positions, and a range of rack positions in the main oven? Three racks are handy if you want to cook several items at the same time.
• Are the controls clearly labelled and easily understood?
• Does the door window allow a clear view to what’s cooking?
• Is the door easy to open and able to stay open in any position without slamming shut or falling fully open?
• Do all racks stay level and have safety stops when pulled out? This will prevent food spilling or the baking dish sliding right out unexpectedly.
• Are there telescopic runners? Not essential, but a nice bonus, helping oven racks to stay level and slide smoothly. They can be a bit fiddly to remove, clean and reinstall.
• Is the top element set high into the ceiling and/or have a shield so you won’t easily bump it and burn yourself?
• What accessories are included? We think two oven racks and one baking tray should be standard. A smokeless grill tray would be a good inclusion too, allowing fat and oil to drain through slits into a drip tray, reducing splattering.
• Can the interior light bulbs be replaced easily without a technician?

Self-cleaning features

Many modern ovens have a pyrolytic cleaning or steam cleaning function, and some have catalytic liners. Each can make it easier to clean the oven. But what do these terms mean?

Pyrolytic cleaning

Pyrolytic cleaning allows you to clean your oven without chemicals. It’ll heat the oven to around 500°C, converting food residue to ash, which you then wipe out. You’ll need to remove and separately wash all runners, racks and other accessories.

Although the oven door will be locked during a pyrolytic clean, the outside of the oven will be much hotter than usual – something to be aware of if you have kids. You’ll also need good ventilation as the cooling fan can blow excess air from the oven door.

Steam cleaning

Steam cleaning is another way to clean your oven without chemicals. Steam is either injected into the oven cavity or created by heating water in an oven dish. The steam softens food residue, which you then wipe out. You’ll probably still have to do a little scrubbing.

Note: You can steam clean your oven without a specialist function by heating water in an oven dish for 30 minutes at around 150°C.

Catalytic liners

Some ovens have catalytic liners on one or more of the internal walls. The liner absorbs fat splatters while the oven is in use. Check which walls have liners as you’ll need to clean all other surfaces yourself, including the door, rack supports and racks.

While catalytic liners will last a long time when maintained as directed in the oven’s user manual, they may eventually need replacing.