Dancing with the oven: how to choose an oven and not to go crazy with options

Who has how began this new year, but my friend – with the collection of splinters. She was cooking fish in the oven of gas stove GORENJE G51103AW, decided to pour the dish with the formed juice, a drop of liquid got on the glass, which instantly split into many small pieces… The strange outcome of the situation has forced my friends to think about the new kitchen equipment: gas stove, which is only a little over a year, decided to change it for the electric oven.

Asked me to help with the choice, to protect themselves from quick breakdowns.

It is difficult to give definite advice, because there are a lot of models of electric ovens, on the site of each manufacturer there are at least a hundred, and in online stores – more than half a thousand. The prices start from 12 000 – 15 000 Dollars. and reach half a million.

How not to “drown” in so many offers and why is there such a difference in price??

Why is the heat in the oven what do they have in common??

All electric ovens without exception use electric elements to raise the temperature.

In classic electric ovens there are three: the bottom fan under the bottom, the open top perimeter fan under the “ceiling” and the spiral grill fan. All of them can be turned on individually or in various combinations. Such ovens are the simplest and most affordable.

Convection models are much more popular.

Natural convection air movement due to temperature difference is present in all ovens, but in these models artificial convection is created: on the back wall of the oven there is a fan that drives hot air throughout the interior space. This reduces the cooking time, and you can use lower temperatures.

The number of modes increases: different combinations of combined fan and fan operation are possible. For baking meat, for example, the top fan, grill and fan work perfectly together, which is often called a combi grill. In addition, the fan itself can be turned on without heaters, which will help defrost food faster.

There are a lot of such models on the market, their price ranges from 15 000 to 80 000 Dollars.

Even more interesting and versatile ovens that have a ring heater on the back wall around the fan, that is, they have another heating element. In addition to the various combinations, the ring heater can also be combined with a fan. In this case, in one oven you can cook two different dishes at the same time: flavors will not mix.

This is the most popular combination of heaters in the oven today. Prices for such ovens start at 20,000 roubles.

Accessories

What raises the price of an oven many times over if we’re talking about modes is the presence of a core probe. With it you can control the temperature of meat baked in the oven to the degree. It works like this: in a certain mode, the core probe is plugged into a special slot in the oven, and its other end is inserted into the meat, you set the desired parameters, and when the meat inside is heated to a predetermined value, you hear a beep, the heating stops. Even the simplest models with a core probe cost from 25 000 rbl.

Even more expensive ovens with the possibility of using steam. We are not talking in this case about built-in steamers, it’s a little different kind of technics, namely about ovens, at which in certain modes it is possible to add steam. For example, the wet convection mode allows you to cook perfect baked goods with a crispy crust on the outside and tender flesh inside. There are models where you can select the amount of steam and its temperature. These ovens are some of the most expensive on the market, there are not many models yet and only from leading manufacturers. Some of them offer cooking in the technique of soup, when the food is cooked in vacuum packs.

A special group of ovens with microwave function.

The cost of such models – over 60 000 Dollars

.And there are already models combining ovens + microwave ovens + steam. But the cost of this equipment is commensurate with the prices of inexpensive used cars.

The CANDY DUO 609 combines an oven with a dishwasher. True, its price is very high you can find an oven and a dishwasher for the same money. The main thing here is to save space with this interesting combination.

Two in one

Ovens with two fans and ring heaters on the back wall stand out. They can be used to cook food at different temperatures at the same time. Samsung and Candy offer these models in the medium price segment.

Temperatures

The wider the range of temperatures in the oven, the more technologically advanced and more expensive the model.

And this applies not only to the upper limits, but also to the lower ones.

It’s the premium ovens that can be set to a temperature of just 40°C, allowing you to cook yogurt or use the space for rising dough.

The highest cooking temperatures – 280° C – are needed, for example, for quickly frying meat and are not required all that often. But some ovens can get hotter than 300°C with pyrolysis see the “Temperature” section . The large display and modern controls do not affect the functionality of the oven and the quality of cooking.

All by myself

Mid-range and top-end ovens come with automatic cooking programs. In this case, the oven turns into a chef, and you follow its instructions, and some models will not only set the temperature, time, and heating mode, but will even help you to choose the right cookware for cooking.

The smartest ovens let you put your favorite recipes into memory, turning them into individual programs.

The main thing is the screen

But the truly fashionable and top ovens of today are not defined by programs and functions, but by the presence of a large display and control panel, like on an expensive smartphone. Touch controls that let you flip through menus, recipe books, cooking and care recommendations – digital technology has taken its place and is featured in the best models from all manufacturers.

The large display and the modern control do not affect the functionality of the oven, does not affect the quality of prepared meals. But these conveniences make our lives more modern, more interesting, more simple. It’s for this extra comfort that you have to pay extra money. We’re already talking about a higher quality of life.

For example, the new Bosch and Siemens ovens can be set by simply touching the stainless steel ring, and all the information is shown on the TFT touchscreen inside the Control Ring. A clear, bright picture and helpful hints guide you through every step. You can specify the type of cooking e.g. baking or browning with a single button, and the oven suggests the optimal mode.

Among the innovations in this area I’d like to mention a Candy oven with an internal video camera. Now you don’t even have to open the door to see how the food is cooking. Its image will appear on the door of the oven, which becomes a large screen.

Everything replaces your smartphone

Beginning to produce embedded appliances South Korean company LG also endowed their ovens with the latest digital technology. With a special LG Smart Oven Global app for Android smartphones, you can activate one of 10 auto-recipes via NFC tagging, as well as add your own. In the case of faults you can run a self-diagnostic process through the app.

And one of the first companies to present on the American market ovens, which can be controlled from a smartphone, was the Italian company Candy. They suggest that in the near future, owners of their appliances will be able to communicate through a special network and share recipes that the ovens will be able to memorize in order to cook dishes in an optimal mode.

You can make meat for dinner today like Anne from Sydney, and bake a cake tomorrow like Marie from Paris. As long as your smartphone lets you remotely control the oven’s operation, for example, you can turn the oven on in your room to preheat or you can press your phone’s buttons on your way home so the fish you put on the tray before you leave the house starts to roast in the oven. Plus, with this feature, fears of whether we forgot to turn off the oven before going out are rendered obsolete – because you can always check and not worry.

Size and volume

If we talk about external dimensions, all ovens tend to length-width 600×600 mm. The depth varies slightly. But with such external uniformity, the internal volume can vary greatly. One of the recent trends is to maximize the internal space without changing the external size. And the price is not affected by the size of the oven. Large oven can be found in any price range. So if you plan to cook large portions, then do not forget to evaluate the internal dimensions before buying.

The average volume is 50-60 liters.

The maximum possible in standard models -78 liters, there are many models from a variety of manufacturers with a volume of 70-71 liters.

Ovens with a width of 450 mm have recently been on sale. This is due, of course, to the small size of the kitchens. Mr. Shuvalov can make fun of the fact that people buy real estate of 20 square meters, but ordinary Americans are happy with the smallest apartment, but with their own. It’s understandable that you don’t want to clutter up compact kitchens with large appliances, and why, if you live, for example, for two people, buy huge ovens?. So, while not all manufacturers offer reduced width appliances, there are plenty of these models, and they come in a wide price range – from 20,000 to 40,000 Dollars.

Wash yourself

The most unpleasant thing, and many hostesses will agree with me, is to clean the ovens after cooking. Appliance manufacturers understand this and that’s why they offer different self-cleaning programs.

The most budget-friendly solution – easy-to-clean enamel. This is the common name for smooth enamel. The producers write that it has practically no dirt clinging to it. They’re lying, of course. It’s just that if you are not lazy and wipe the oven from the inside after every cooking, then fresh grease is easier to wipe off than old dirt. More and more companies offer steam cleaning for easier care. In principle, you can clean any oven in this way, and without a special program. It’s enough to set the temperature to 100 ° C and put a pot of hot water in the oven. Steam softens the dirt, and it can be easily removed with a damp sponge.

A more expensive solution – the use of different catalytic panels. Manufacturers can mount them on the back of the oven, or just the sides, or both. There are catalytic panels that work for a certain period of time, for example 5 years, after which they must be removed, installed the other side or replaced, although increasingly used materials that last the entire life of the oven. The bottom line is this: the panels, which are usually rough to the touch, unlike smooth enamel, absorb grease without needing to be cleaned. You only have to clean the inner glass of the door. The oven has a removable cover on the vast majority of models and can be put in the dishwasher if you want.

The heavy artillery of cleaning is the pyrolysis program. Behind automatically closed door the temperature rises above 400 ° C, grease and dirt just burn up, after which there is a pile of ashes, which is enough to remove with a sponge. Pyrolysis is not new on the market, the technology has been used for a very long time. But now it’s also used in relatively inexpensive models, so it’s become more affordable. In addition, many modern ovens offer several pyrolysis modes: light, medium and intensive. Total cleaning time – from 1 hour. 15 min. up to 2 hrs.

Often manufacturers combine modes. So, for regular cleaning we offer steam cleaning, and for general cleaning we offer pyrolysis.

Memo for choosing

It is clear that it is rarely a question of buying just one oven. Most often buy a set of appliances – hob, oven and hood.

Start the choice best with the oven: under it it is easier to pick up the rest of the appliances in the appropriate design.

• Decide on the price and try to take the time and look at several ovens from different manufacturers in this price group.
• Prioritize what’s important to you: autoprograms, temperature probe, ring heater, touch screen.
• It is best not to be lazy, and go and look at the ovens. So you can evaluate important details such as the convenience of the handle, easy opening of the door, you will see how in reality, not on the picture looks like this model.
• The price of ovens in particular and technology in general is influenced not only by the number of programs and temperature range, but also by what brand stands on them. It is clear that the most affordable and simple oven, for example, Miele will cost significantly higher than the top model of a regional brand.

In the same price, but different

In general, the oven to buy – almost like getting married: choose your only one is difficult, but you can. If all goes well, you’re assured of delicious pies and steaks.

1. Decide on the price.

2. Think about what’s important to you: presence of a ring heater, autoprogram, a large temperature range, availability of auto-cleaning programs.

3. Design. Without it there is no way. If you prefer retro, the choice will be among some models if techno, it will be among others. Fans of retro should forget about the big touch screens, recessed switches. The models in this style can cost either 20 000 or 80 000 Dollars.

4. If you prefer a high-profile brand, but are limited in funds, accept the fact that you can buy a simpler model than those who do not care what name is written on the panel of the oven.