Ten Best Ovens That Really Make Your Life Better
Best Ovens for Energy Efficient Cooking
The GE JB735 has a fan that circulates heat, ensuring baked goods are more evenly baked, and creating crispier, juicier roasted foods. It also comes with bake and roast settings and an air-fry setting, and two oven racks that can be adjusted to six levels.
It has a large interior capacity, which is ideal for hosting family gatherings. It also has an elegant design and convenient additional features.
Energy efficiency
You want to make sure that your oven is energy efficient because it is one of the most commonly used appliances in the kitchen. There are a variety of options to help you reduce your energy bills, without any compromise in the quality of your food.
To determine the ideal oven hob for your needs, consider the way you use it as well as what features you would like. For instance, if often roast chicken or bake cakes, an oven that has a fan-assisted roasting feature is a good option. It will blow hot, dry air around the meat, ensuring that it cooks evenly.
Also, look for an oven with self-cleaning functions. They will automatically wash off grease and grime after each use, meaning you won't have to spend the time cleaning your oven. They're more expensive than other ovens that don't self-clean, but if regularly use your oven, it may be worth the cost.
Energy-efficient ovens generally have lower power consumption and consume less energy to heat up than conventional models. They might also be able to operate from a standard 120-volt circuit or a 240-volt one, dependent on the model. You can also look for an oven that uses a combination of convection and radiant heating, which can provide more balanced results while reducing your energy bill.
You should consider an auto-preheat feature that can start the oven as you cook to ensure that it is ready when you require it. There are ovens with smart technology that connects to smartphones or tablet via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, giving you app-based control and monitoring of your appliance.
Space
If you're limited on space, it's worth choosing an oven that is compact enough to fit in your kitchen with little effort. They are usually constructed with a flat fascia and can be placed neatly in other appliances to make your kitchen look more spacious. Some models have a slimline dial control as well as an easily retractable display for cleaning. Others feature a pyrolytic function for those who cook often.
Alternatively, choose a smart oven to maximize convenience. These models usually have an app that you can use to control your appliance from the comfort of your home. This can be particularly useful when you're working and need dinner to be ready when you get back from work or if you have kids who might accidentally press the buttons on a model that is older.
Larger ovens have greater capacity inside and are better suited to people who cook frequently or entertain guests. However, they will require more space on the countertop than smaller models - you'll need to consider how much surface space you have and whether it's enough for a bigger appliance.
This model from Beko provides a budget-friendly option that doesn't sacrifice functionality. It is simple in appearance, but comes with six functions. These include defrosting, which heats the oven quickly, and an AeroPerfect feature that circulates hot, dry air through the cavity to ensure that the food is cooked evenly. It also comes with an A energy rating and uses recycled fishing nets and industrial thread waste to reduce the environmental impact.
Convenience
In a kitchen with a limited space, you need your oven to perform multiple functions and be easy to use. Look for an easy-to-use control interface, with buttons that are clearly marked and a bright display. Also look for handles and racks which can be easily inserted and removed. You need your oven to heat quickly and be able to adjust the temperature while cooking.
CHOICE tests have shown that while most ovens are performing well, the ease of use is what sets the average from the exceptional. Fiona Mair, CHOICE's expert on kitchens, recommends that you check the controls, shelf designs and the interior surfaces prior to buying.
You can also find models that have smart features to aid you in cooking faster. Certain models can be controlled remotely through an app for your tablet or smartphone. These ovens can scan barcodes to send recipes directly to the oven. This is great if you are in a hurry or want to try something new.
You should also look for an oven that has a slow cook setting, a pizza setting, and a grilling feature. All of these functions will help you create delicious and nutritious meals in a short amount of time. Some ovens have a nonstick baking sheet and a baking tray. This makes them even more convenient to use.
Consider an oven that has a convection fan in it and can accommodate several racks. The fan circulates warm air which helps to cook food more evenly and reduces time required for the oven to get heated. Multi-rack also lets you to get different results by placing dishes on different racks within the oven. This is helpful in recipes that require several layers of batter or dough. You can also find some ovens with self-cleaning options, which uses high temperatures to melt away crusted-on food. These methods are usually more efficient than the traditional self-cleaning method that uses water to remove baked-on food. A high-quality oven with a self-cleaning option will help you save much time in cleaning up after cooking and baking meals.
Safety
You may want to consider an oven that has additional features that can save you time and hobs effort. Some of these features are safety-related, while others allow you to cook faster or more efficiently.
Sabbath Mode, for example can help keep food warm for longer so that you don't have to keep heating and cooling the oven if you're cooking for people who will be late for dinner. Most top-end models also have a steam clean feature for fast, easy cleaning.
A high-speed cooker is an excellent feature that allows you to cook leftovers or even make an omelet or a pasta. This feature makes use of quick, short bursts of heat to quickly bring food back to temperature. Some of these models have an insulated glass-ceramic surface that has sensors that notify you when the burners are still hot.
Other oven features that come with an expensive price tag are trivection ovens, which combine convection, microwaves and thermal heating to allow for faster and more even baking. Some ovens also come with a function for air-frying, which lets you enjoy crispy food without having to invest in an additional countertop fryer.
Auto shut-off is another safety feature that can be added to ovens. This feature will prevent burns in the case that the oven is accidentally switched on while it is hot. This feature is included in many electric ovens, however gas ovens are typically available separately.
You should also select an oven that is quiet when in use.
It is recommended to regularly clean the inside of your oven with a damp cloth or sponge to keep it clean and to avoid the build-up of food stains. Make sure the grates of your oven are removable to make cleaning them simpler. You can also periodically soak them in soapy water to wash off any stuck-on food.