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US $225.95
The oven is arguably the most important kitchen appliance, so make the right choice with our expert tips.
Ovens are an essential piece of kitchen kit, so make sure your cooker can stand the heat, be it a chic, built-in oven or a traditional range-style model.
How to buy a range cooker
Range and range-style cookers are a versatile choice for larger kitchens, but before you buy, it's important to understand the difference between them.
A traditional range constantly radiates heat into its ovens and hob plates, so it's always ready to use, and in some cases can provide heating and hot water for the household. On the other hand, a range-style cooker works like a conventional oven, so it won't heat your home and you turn each oven and hob on and off as you use it.
Range-style cookers offer a multitude of functions for the keen cook, such as large-capacity ovens, up to six hob burners, grill plates and a fish kettle. They come as standard gas and electric models, but for even greater flexibility, consider a dual-fuel option that offers a gas hob combined with electric ovens.
How to buy a multi function oven
What is it?
With heating elements at the top and bottom, plus a grill and fan, these ovens cover a variety of cooking options. Some even have functions for pizzas, defrosting, and (on top-end models) steaming.
Pros
Cooks food in the most appropriate way, eg conventional for cakes, fan grilling for a roast. Will please old-school chefs, while the automatic programme technology will appeal to busy cooks.
Cons
Some offer a mind-blowing list of settings, from rotisserie to keep-warm, so you may feel you're paying for functions you won't use.
What's new?
Top-of-the-range multifunction ovens can select the perfect cooking sequence for your food through 'intelligent' automatic programming technology, eg defrosting meat and then cooking it or cooking and then crisping the top of a dish.
How to buy a fan oven
What is it?
Also called convection ovens, these have a fan (or two) set into the rear wall and surrounded by
a heating element. Many have a grill and a defrost setting, too.
Pros
They heat up quickly and ensure an even cooking temperature throughout. As fan ovens can reduce cooking time by around 10 per cent, they save energy and offer good value.
Cons
Convection cooking can dry food out, particularly cakes.
How to buy a steam oven
What is it?
Usually featuring a removable, integral water tank (although some are plumbed in), steam ovens use water vapour to cook food - fast. Pressurised models cook at 1000ËsC higher than conventional ovens.
Pros
A speedy, healthy way to cook, as steaming seals in flavour and vitamins.
Cons
Steam-only ovens can't brown or crisp food. Pressurised models can be too powerful for fish and desserts.
What's new?
Steam cooking is becoming popular as an option in combi-microwaves, multifunction and compact ovens. So what started as a specialist product is moving into the mainstream.
How to buy a double oven
What is it?
Double ovens are made up of two separate cavities - usually a conventional oven and grill above (with a 30-35l capacity) combined with a multifunction or fan oven below (with a 45-70l capacity).
Pros
Each oven works independently so they can be used together at different temperatures, or alone to cook small meals economically. The joint capacity is greater than that of a standard 50-60l oven.
Cons
If you have two ovens, you're likely to use both of them, which will increase your fuel costs.
How to buy a microwave oven
What is it?
As well as standard defrost and reheat settings, built-in microwaves often tend to include a grill and convection oven.
Pros
Most combi models are compact and, as they allow you to use the functions independently or together, they're flexible, too.
Cons
You may need to stock up on microwave-safe cookware.
What's new?
Once the shameful secret hidden in the corner of the kitchen, microwaves are now among the sexiest built-in ovens around.
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