Kitchen ovens: where to start?

Ovens come in all shapes and sizes, but which type is right for your kitchen? Here's a checklist to get you started. 

Freestanding or under bench?

The first decision is whether to opt for a freestanding model (which gives a kitchen a professional look) or a more traditional under-bench variety. The decision will come down to whether you want your cooktop and oven to be an 'all in one' model.

Do you like how it looks?

The next consideration is aesthetics. Various things will come into play here, including the display, controls, the colour of the door glass and whether you like the white or stainless steel look.

Do you like what it does?

Do you like how the oven functions? Does it do everything you need it to do? Is it fan forced and does it matter if it's not? Most modern ovens come with a variety of features and functions, but it's imperative to make sure yours has the ones you use every day.

Size matters

Is the oven the right size, both for your kitchen cabinetry and for your lifestyle? If you regularly cook for 12 people, then you'll need an oven to suit. And remember, certain design features inside an oven can reduce its available cooking space.

Clever bells and whistles

Sure, these will come at a price, but having a self-cleaning oven, for example, can be a godsend in the right situation. So think seriously about whether a model with a 'higher spec' would suit you better and is therefore worth the extra money 

Does it suit the budget?

Start kitchen ovens shopping and you'll soon discover that they come in at various price points – seemingly for the same type of setup. So set a budget and stick to it, otherwise it's very easy to get carried away in-store.