New oven - what features should I look for ?

scoobie

Hi
My ovens finally given up the ghost, and it doesn't look like its worth repairing. First the grill went a year back, now the heating elements gone and there was quite a burning smell. Given all that and its very tatty I need a replacement.

But I've no idea what features to look for in an oven,
what are the good brands,
or how much should I pay for a decent oven?

One thing I do want is self cleaning (is there really such a thing?) and a quiet fan (last one was really noisy)

Any others things I should look for?

Which is better gas or electric??

moneysavingplumber

Try and get one that peels and boils all the potatoes ready for roasting, and preferably one that rears it's own chickens on a diet of corn until plump, and then stuffs them and cooks them automatically until cooked but not too dry on the inside, and golden on the outside. That's the kind of oven I think you should get. Sorry, that's the best I can offer on this one :rotfl: .

moneysavingplumber

But seriously, just from a personal viewpoint, I've had both gas and electric and I've always preferred gas. If you currently have electric it may cost you to change as even if you currently have a gas supply to the hob, it will have to be tested as to whether it can accommodate another appliance such as an oven at the correct pressure.

sooz

i've always prefered gas hob and electric fan oven. self cleaning sounds wonderful. if you have, or are planning kids [or visiting kids] see if you can get one with a locking door. retro fitting the mothercare type plastic oven locks is rubbish, and they get peeled straight off by curious toddlers. ditto glass door that are cool to the touch.

SnowyOwl_2

I got a double oven - it is good when you have loads of things on the go, or have two things which require v.different temperatures. I can use the top oven for the incorporated grill, and have the lower oven on for whatever is in there without it being disturbed. The two oven cavities are a bit bigger than a normal sized oven, but split into two. The only drawback I can find with it is that I wouldn't be able to get a turkey into either oven. It's not that big a drawback really! My sister used to have a "proper" double oven, ie a full sized oven, plus a little half oven. She thought that was great - v.flexible with regard to cooking things at different temperatures, plus she could do a turkey, not that she ever bothered of course. The drawback with my sister's though was that it was too big to slot in under a counter.

A good timer on the oven is a must, especially if you tend to be a bit forgetful.

A problem I have encountered in the past is when the control knobs are situated just above the oven door. When the grill is on and therefore the oven door open, the controls get absolutely red hot. IMHO it'd be worth making a point of asking salespersons about this as I thought it was terribly dangerous - I wouldn't have bought that oven if I had realised in advance this problem would arise.