Oven – Content Hub

When buying an oven, you need to consider a few things. Should you go with an electric or gas oven? Should you pick one that looks great and stays in one place? There are lots of features to consider and designs to choose from, so hopefully this guide will help you work out what type of oven is best for you.

Electric vs gas ovens

Historically, people have gone for gas ovens because of their heat control. However, electric ovens can heat up and cool down quickly now as well, meaning that there is little difference between the two. Often, people choose electric ovens due to their versatility and multifunctional uses.

Gas ovens, however, are more energy efficient and better for the environment, which is becoming increasingly important to many people. They also help remove moisture from food better, making them more popular amongst chefs.

Oven features to look out for

Beyond the appearance of an oven, there are a number of features that you need to consider. Safety features include:

Having a door that holds itself open, rather than one that can only be open or closed all the way
Safety stops to prevent shelves sliding out
Shelves that don’t drop down and sag when taken out this can make cooking heavier dishes more difficult
Grill trays shouldn’t sag either, but must extend out enough so that foods at the back can be turned and worked on
The grill’s heating element should be safe, eliminating the possibility of having your hands touch the heat source by accident.

Other features include:

Having a number of racks
Having many rack positioning options at least three
Having a smokeless grill tray
Having a grill tray with at least two positions

Additional features to look for

After these main features have been considered, other optional features can be looked at, such as:

Fan assisted ovens with at least one fan. These are more expensive, but distribute heat better.
Quick preheating
Defrost functions are also handy for cooking frozen foods.
Self-cleaning ovens Catalytic liners will absorb fat, whilst pyrolitic cleaners burn off fat and convert then to ash by heating the oven to extreme heats.
Electronic controls make the cooking process more simple, but are an unnecessary and costly extra. Automatic timers, however, are handy options for both cooking and safety.

Types of ovens: Built-in or freestanding?

Freestanding ovens

As you might have guessed from the name, a freestanding oven is installed straight onto the floor. Generally, freestanding ovens combine the oven part with the cooktop to create one all-encompassing unit. They’re very easy to install since they can fit into most spaces. All you’ll need to do is hire an electrician to set the wiring.

As far as style goes, freestanding ovens fit better with traditional designs, but will certainly look fine in just about any kitchen. You can also easily move them out of the way for repairs if something breaks. The only downside to freestanding ovens is that they make the area around them quite hard to clean – the gaps between the benchtop and the oven can be narrow, and will attract plenty of dirt and grime. Also, freestanding ovens might be hard on your back – since you’ll be constantly bending over to check on food and move it out of the way. Take that into consideration before you install one.

Freestanding ovens come in a variety of options and can be easier to repair / Source: Unitek Constructions

Built-in ovens

Built-in ovens are installed right into your kitchen cabinetry; this design allows for much greater flexibility. You don’t necessarily need to have the oven and the range in one unit. Instead, you can move them to wherever is better in your kitchen. Since the layout is so flexible, you can install the unit higher up – meaning you’ll save a lot of time and pain from constantly bending over. You can have the units installed higher up in the kitchen. They’re designed to flow and fit into whatever different layout you have.

There are some drawbacks to built-in ovens, though. Since the two different parts of the oven are separate, the oven might take up more space. Also, since they’re built straight into the cabinetry, it can be a very arduous process if you ever want to upgrade the oven. Built-in ovens are also much harder to clean and require a professional to install.

When to replace your oven

In many cases, ovens can last for many years. Nevertheless, from time to time, it will become necessary to replace the old oven with a new one. Knowing when you will need to do this can take some time, though. You will want to make the right decision so you are not wasting time or money on the process. Consider the following factors when it comes to replacing your oven:

Is repairing an option?

Talk to a professional about the options available to you for replacing your current oven or if you can repair the existing one. If it is possible to cost effectively repair your old oven, doing so may be a good idea. However, if you will need to make regular repairs to keep it running, this may no longer be the right option for you.

Are you renovating?

In some cases, you can hold off a bit if you are planning to do some renovating in your kitchen in the coming months. You may want to hold off so that you can be sure that you are investing in an appliance that will fit well into your overall new layout. It is a good idea to choose a new oven that will last for many more years when the time comes.

Is it working okay?

In some cases, there is no need to replace your current oven if it is serving your needs just fine. However, if it is not heating properly or inconsistently, it could be costing you money on wasted food. In some cases, it may not be large enough or it may not have the features you need.

Contact local home appliance experts

When it’s time to replace

There are some circumstances in which you will need to replace your oven no matter what. If your oven has any of the following, replace it now rather than waiting.

Does it need frequent repairs?
Are your energy bills very high as a result of the oven?
Do you plan to renovate your kitchen right now?
Is there a concern when it comes to safety?

If it is time to make these changes, putting it off will not make the process any easier to do.

All kitchen appliances need cleaning and regular maintenance in order to function properly. An oven is no exception to this rule. In fact, you might need to clean your oven more often than you clean your refrigerator or other kitchen appliance if you use it regularly. Oven cleaning might seem like an arduous and time-consuming task, but if you have the right technique and the right tools, you can get it done. Though, it’s still advisable to hire a professional cleaner to perform a deep clean every once in a while.

DIY oven cleaning does not have to be complicated. You can use natural cleaning agents available in your kitchen to get the job done. Oven cleaning just requires time, effort, and the right tools.

What do you need?

A pair of rubber gloves to protect your hands
Warm water
Baking soda (enough to make a paste)
White vinegar
Spray bottle
A brush
Dishwashing liquid for the racks
Damp dishcloth to wipe down surfaces
Scraper (to remove carbon)

How to clean an oven: self-cleaning ovens

Self-cleaning ovens are easy to clean and maintain. Here is what you need to do:

Lock the oven door securely and turn on the “self-clean” setting on your oven. The oven will self-clean for around 2 to 6 hours, depending on the configuration and model of the appliance. During this time, the intense heat in the oven will turn grease, food particles, and other debris into ash. Once it’s completed, let the appliance cool for 2 hours.
Open the door after the oven is cool and sweep out the collected ash with the help of a brush and dustpan. You can wipe down any lingering ash with a damp dishcloth to ensure the oven’s interior is completely clean.
Use a combination of vinegar and water, or an ordinary kitchen cleaning solution, to clean the oven door. Spray the solution on the door and gently scrub away any lingering debris until the door glass and the surrounding rim is completely free of stains.
Remove the oven racks and wash them with dishwashing liquid and warm water. Any lingering traces of ash and food particles will come off easily at this stage. Allow the racks to air dry before you place them back in the oven.

How to clean an oven: regular ovens

Self-cleaning ovens are convenient, but not everyone has one. Ordinary ovens require a little more time and effort to clean, but you can carry out this task with the household products listed at the start. Here is what you need to do:

Remove all racks from the oven before you begin the cleaning process. Place these racks in a kitchen sink full of warm water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid. This will loosen the grease, burnt food particles, and other debris. Proceed with the next step while the racks soak in the water.
For mildly dirty ovens, mix 4 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 litre of water in a spray bottle. Spray this solution generously into a cold oven until it soaks all the charred and carbon-coated areas on the inside. You need to allow the solution to soak into and loosen the burnt debris for at least an hour before you take the next step.
If the charred areas are too stiff and need something stronger to come loose, you can mix more baking soda with water to form a paste. Spread this paste evenly on all the charred areas and allow the solution to soak into the debris. After an hour you can scratch the area gently with the scraper to see if the debris is loose.
If the carbon comes off easily, you can use the scraper to gently remove all of the soaked and lingering carbon. Be sure to spray the area with the remaining baking soda solution to aid this process.
Once you have removed the most stubborn stains and wiped away the debris, spray the oven with the baking soda and water solution once again and allow it to soak for another hour. After the hour has passed, use a brush or a scrubber to remove the lingering traces of carbon. This will ensure your oven is free of all accumulated carbon and burnt food particles.
Mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a bowl and dip a cleaning rag into it. Use the wet rag to wipe the interior of your oven and remove all traces of baking soda, oils, grease, etc. This should eliminate all traces of dirt and debris from your oven. You should use the same solution to clean the oven door as well.
The final step is to clean the soaking oven racks. The hours of soaking will have loosened all of the burnt food particles, allowing you to easily scrub them clean. Use a combination of water and dishwashing liquid to clean the racks and let them air dry for a while. Once the racks are dry, place them in the oven.

How to clean an oven: textured ovens

Textured ovens are also self-cleaning and are designed to burn off all debris over time. The interiors are coated with a special ceramic layer that burns and removes all the debris as you continue to use your oven. You do not need to do much to clean these ovens. Wipe the interior surface with a damp cloth when your oven is cool. Do not use any abrasive cleaning solutions as they will damage the textured finish.

You will still have to clean the oven racks regularly. You can use the same combination of dishwashing liquid and water to remove the grease and food particles. Soak the racks in warm water and dishwashing liquid for a few hours to loosen all the dirt and scrub the surface clean gently. Once you have removed all collected carbon, wipe the rack down and let it air dry before you place it back in the oven.

How often should you clean the oven?

You should perform surface cleaning every time you intend to use the oven. Bacteria and germs can develop at the slightest incentive, especially in the warm dark environment inside the oven. If you do not clean the trays and grills before or after every use, you can place your health at risk. You can use water and some mild dishwashing liquid for everyday surface cleaning.

If you do not have the time or the inclination to clean your oven before or after every use, we recommend you schedule a weekly or bi-weekly cleaning. This will ensure your oven stays hygienic and is easier to clean over time. If you allow the grease, debris, and food particles to remain for too long, you will have to work harder to clean the oven. Regular cleaning minimizes the effort required to get the job done.