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Integrated ovens
The right oven makes a real difference to the experience you have while cooking. Our oven buying guide offers you all the information you need to choose the ideal appliance for you. Read on to learn how to decide between gas or electric, built-in or built-under, and much more.
Electric or Gas - which is best?
Belling BI902G
When picking out an oven, the first thing to consider is whether you go for an electric or gas oven. Your oven fuel will impact the cooking experience you’ll have, running costs, and more. We’ve summarised the key features of electric
vs gas ovens below.
Gas ovens facts
Gas Ovens brands
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The upfront cost of a gas oven tends to be more.
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They heat up quicker than electric ovens and allow for more immediate changes in temperature once running.
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Running a gas oven often costs less than an electric appliance.
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Gas ovens tend to have the longest lifespans.
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Their fuel burns at a high temperature, so you can end up overcooking or burning the edges of food if you’re not careful.
Electric oven facts
Electric ovens brands
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Electric models tend to be cheaper in terms of upfront costs.
This type of oven is generally easier to clean (and some even come with a self-cleaning function).
It’s often more expensive to run an electric oven than a gas oven.
They provide a dry, even heat with the most accurate temperature settings, which is ideal for roasting and baking.
They take longer to heat up, cook food, and adjust temperature than gas ovens.
Conventional Oven VS Convection
Once you've decided on which fuel type you'd like your oven to be, you now have to decided on the type of oven you'd like to buy. Your choices are between a Conventional and Convection oven, which we've outlined the differences between below.
A convection oven (also known as a fan oven or fan-assisted oven) circulates air around the oven to distribute heat and cook food evenly. The increased circulation of air also makes a convection oven cook food faster than a conventional one. They’re a great all-round choice and are particularly useful for baking and roasting.
A conventional oven uses two heating elements: one at the bottom of the oven and the other at the top. Whereas convection ovens circulate heat evenly, conventional ovens don’t have a fan and so produce hotter and cooler areas. This causes food to cook slowly or more quickly depending on where it is placed, enabling you to cook multiple meals at the same time.
All of our ovens use convection but can also cook via the conventional method (i.e. without the fan) if required.
Multifunction ovens
Self cleaning ovens
Multifunction ovens offer you more than one cooking function in one appliance, often including grill settings as well as conventional and fan cooking. Looking to bake a sponge cake, cook a Sunday roast, or grill some cheese on toast? This type of oven can do it all.
Self-cleaning or auto-clean ovens come with a special feature known as pyrolytic cleaning. This technology works by heating up the oven to around 500ºC. At this temperature, grease burns away and any other food spills will be reduced to a pile of ash to be swept away. Simple and stress-free cleaning.
Steam ovens
As the name suggests, steam ovens use steam rather than hot air to cook food. These ovens allow you to lock in the nutrients and moisture in your food. Steam is a more effective method of reheating than a microwave. This type of oven also cooks food faster than conventional ovens, especially with larger dishes. Please find a video example below from Neff demonstrating one of their Steam ovens in action.
AEG BES35501EM
Neff B3ACE4HNOB
Beko BBIM14300
Neff B58VT68HOB
Neff B48FT78H0B
Compact ovens
One of the smallest type of oven you can get, a compact oven will tend to be around 45cm high with a capacity of roughly 45 to 50 litres. A majority of compact models will offer both fan and conventional cooking modes as well as a microwave function, making them a great space-saving appliance. They tend to be just a bit larger than a built-in microwave.
Single ovens or built in double
Single ovens are a great choice for smaller households, those looking to place a hob above their oven and those with a small kitchen area. Normally the average capacity of a single oven is around 64 litres but can run as large as 115 litres depending on your cooking requirements.
If you’re looking for something smaller, a compact oven could work for you. These are just a little bit bigger than a built-in microwave and often come with a microwave feature. They tend to be around 45cm high, and are always electric rather than gas.
Single ovens can be gas, electric, or stream.
Neff B1GCC0AN0B
Bosch MBS533BS0B
Double ovens come with two cooking areas: the smaller top oven, ranging from 35 to 60 litres, and the main oven, ranging from 50 to 75 litres. These oven types are a great choice if you have a growing family or you want to cook multiple dishes at the same time. If you opt for a double oven, you can pick from either electric or gas fuel. You’ll also have a choice when it comes to the fit of your appliance, as double ovens can be built-in or built-under (read on for more information about choosing your fit).
Choosing the right fit for your oven
Your oven’s fit can have a big impact on the overall look of your kitchen. Unlike cookers – which have a hob on top – all ovens are integrated seamlessly into your kitchen units. They can either be built-in or built-under.
Built in ovens
With this fit, your oven sits in the kitchen cabinet at eye-level. This arrangement makes it easy to check on your food as it cooks and take it out when it’s done. All single ovens slot into your kitchen units in this way. You’ll also find built-in double ovens if you need more cooking space.
Built - under ovens
Want your oven to sit under the counter? Then a built-under oven is the right choice for you. This fit is ideal for integrating your oven neatly into the rest of the kitchen design – you’ll also be able to choose a different hob for the counter above. Built-under ovens tend to be double rather than single.
Oven sizes
When deciding whether you go for a built-in or built-under oven, you’ll need to think about the size of your appliance and make sure it’ll fit into the space you have in mind in which Built-under ovens come in fairly standardised sizes whom are designed to sit neatly beneath a kitchen counter whilst tending to stand around 70-72cm tall. Although its worth noting that some taller models are available for higher counters.
The width of a built in oven is usually between 56cm and 60cm, whilst the depth should be 54-58cm.
Built-in ovens, on the other hand, can vary quite a bit in height. For example, compact built-in ovens are around 45cm tall in general whilst double built-in ovens are typically 89cm in height. The width and depth measurements of built-in models are usually quite standardised to fit a conventional oven cabinet.
Below, we’ll take a look at how to measure up for built-under and built-in ovens.
How to measure for a built-under oven
Whether you go for a built-in or built-under oven, you’ll need to think about the size of your appliance and make sure it’ll fit into the space you have in mind.
Built-under ovens come in fairly standardised sizes as they’re designed to sit neatly beneath a kitchen counter. They tend to stand around 70-72cm tall (although some taller models are available for high counters). The width is usually between 56cm and 60cm, whilst the depth should be 54-58cm.
Built-in ovens, on the other hand, can vary quite a bit in height. For example, compact built-in ovens are around 45cm tall in general whilst double built-in ovens are typically 89cm in height. The width and depth measurements of built-in models are usually quite standardised to fit a conventional oven cabinet.
Below, we’ll take a look at how to measure up for built-under and built-in ovens.
Tape measure at the ready? Measuring for a built-under
oven is relatively easy if you stick to these steps:
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Measure the height of the available space under your counter.
2. Check the height measurements to ensure that your new appliance will fit directly under your kitchen worktop
3. Measure the width of the available space
between your other kitchen units along with width of the appliances you're looking at to make sure it'll fit widthways.
4. Built-under ovens are usually made with a depth of 54-58cm. This should allow your new appliance to slide neatly under the counter with room for the wiring at the back, but measure the depth of the space just in case.
How to measure for a built in oven
1. Measure the height of the available space in your oven cabinet.
2. If you’re looking at single or compact ovens, check the height of products as you shop (this should be between 45cm and 60cm). Make sure your new appliance will fit into the oven cabinet.
3. After a double oven? The same process applies here, but in this case the ovens will tend to be around 89cm tall. Check that your oven cabinet has enough height room. If you have an older kitchen and very old oven with a cupboard fitted above the appliance, make sure the cupboard door doesn't clash with the size of your new appliance.
4. The width and depth of single and double built-in ovens should be standard because they’re designed to fit into conventional oven cabinets whilst allowing enough room for ventilation. With this in mind, you don’t need to worry about measuring these dimensions – just the height!
New energy labels as of 2022.
As of 2022, the energy labels across the spectrum when it comes to appliances has changed. What used to be labelled up to A+++ has now been changed to A - G. For more information please click the button below.
Things to consider when deciding on the appliance you'd like
Slide and Hide
You can enjoy the luxurious feeling of opening your oven door and sliding it underneath. Not only is this beneficial in increasing accessibility but it also lowers the risk of scalding yourself.
Pyrolytic cleaning
Arguably the most effective form of self-cleaning oven is a pyrolytic one. These work in much the same way as a catalytic oven, but with a more powerful difference.
This self-cleaning programme heats the oven to temperatures of over 400°C, turning any food, grease and grime into ash for you to simply sweep away.
Double, triple, or quadruple glazing
Double, triple, or quadruple glazing helps retain the heat, for more efficient cooking. It can be coupled with a cooling fan function to ensure that the outside of the door remains safe to touch.
Timer
Most cookers come with a timer feature. Basic models will alert you when your food is ready by beeping. More advanced models are able to switch the oven off automatically after a set amount of time, enabling you to cook meals with precision.
Grill
There's a wide variety of grill options to make a selection from. With a simple grill you place your dish inside, the closer to the grill the more intense the heat. A double grill covers more space and is ideal for larger dishes. A variable grill allows you to set the temperature.
Fan assisted
Fan ovens utilise a ring heating element at the back of the oven to circulate heat, speed up cooking times, and distribute oven temperature for much better cooking results
Smart
A smart oven will allow you to have more control of your appliance and cooking without evening needing to be near it. By using the app on your smart device, you can keep tabs on what's happening inside your oven along with making any adjustments to your cooking temperatures.
Slide out racks
Slide-out racks can be easily removed and cleaned, while telescopic racks are fixed to chrome side racks for a smooth sliding motion. These racks also support heavy dishes, even when the rack is fully pulled out.
Warming draw
Warming drawers are a great way of keeping your food hot until your guests arrive, or warming up plates. If you’re into baking, you can also prove dough with them
Do electric ovens have a plug?
There are some ovens which require hardwiring and some ovens that can be simply plugged in, there are also a few which can be converted to be plugged in. You’ll be able to clearly see which of our ovens can be plugged in.
Can I fit an induction hob over an oven?
When an induction hob is installed within a countertop it will require more space below for efficient ventilation. So you’ll need to ensure when fitting the oven there’s enough space between them, be very careful if you’re going for a double oven as they are taller.
Can I get an electric oven and a gas hob?
With oven and hobs both being independent appliances you can create any combination you like, as long as you have the fuel supply available in your home.
How much will installation cost?
The price of installing a gas oven and an electric oven vary due what the installation may require. For more detailed information please give us a ring on 01489 892177
Freestanding cookers
It’s a great feeling when you find the perfect cooker for your home. Whether you love the charm of a range model or the sophistication of stainless steel, cookers are a great way of adding personality to your kitchen. A cooker has to perform well too, whether you like to make home-comfort meals, dinner party food, or traditional Sunday roasts.
Colour
Freestanding cookers offer a wide variety of colour options from white, black, stainless steel, cream, red and many other choices, making sure that your kitchen won't go without a suitable coloured appliance.
Programmable timer
Most cookers come with a timer feature. Basic models will alert you when your food is ready by beeping. More advanced models are able to switch the oven off automatically after a set amount of time, enabling you to cook meals with precision.
Width
Today most freestanding cooker options give you a choice of between 50 - 60cm width.
Fuel
There are three main different fuel types to choose from when it comes to your cooker - electric, gas and dual fuel. Dual fuel cookers always feature a gas hob and electric ovens, Electric cookers offer fast cooking times & offer even cooking results, and Gas cookers are known for their modest cost and environmental-friendly features,
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Cleaning
Most modern cookers are much easier to keep clean, with self-cleaning functions and wipe-down surfaces. From grease-proof coatings, steam cleans and Pyrolytic technology, you can pick the one that’s best for you.
LPG
A lot cookers today can be converted to work with bottled LPG gas. This is very useful for those wanting the precision of gas but who may not have access to a mains gas supply. Some cookers will include everything you need to convert them whilst others may not, in which it's best to check the cooker’s instruction manual to make sure if its LPG compatible.
Lid
Some cookers come with a lid, these tend to be those with a gas hob. The lid can come in really handy to protect any little hands from accidentally burning themselves, to enable you to utilise the surface space as a worktop, operating as a splashback, anf protecting the hob in general.
Cavities
Conventional cookers use two separate heating elements at the bottom and top of the oven. With different temperature zones, they can cook multiple food types at once.
Power
Its important to check the maxinum power and socket of your cooker before installing. If the power is more than 3kw then please make sure its no more than 2m away. If the power is less than 3kw, the recommended distance is 1.5m away. Please definintely check the Amp requirement of the cooker you're looking to purchase.