23 Different Types Of Ovens And Brands (Buying Guide)

The kitchen would be incomplete without a reliable oven. With various types to choose from, each with its unique features, understanding the differences between them is crucial. What suits your needs might not be suitable for someone else, emphasizing the importance of knowing the available options.

This article delves into the diverse world of ovens, exploring their characteristics, installation methods, size, heating mechanisms, and brands, providing a comprehensive guide to help you make an informed decision. From conventional to convection, toaster to microwave, roaster to traditional, and based on heating method, size, or features, we’ll cover it all.

Additionally, this article touches on the most popular oven brands and provides answers to frequently asked questions, including what type of oven professional chefs use and which one is best for baking and grilling.

Table of Contents

Common Types Of Ovens

Conventional Ovens

Conventional ovens typically rely on heat sources at both the bottom and top, with the former often powered by infrared gas burners and the latter by electric elements. The rigidity of cooking distance flexibility is a notable characteristic of these traditional appliances, allowing for around four to five inches of space between food and heat source. One notable advantage of conventional ovens is their ability to accommodate broiling within the main compartment.

However, this design also leads to temperature fluctuations and reduced overall heating performance. As a result, these ovens tend to take longer to produce even roasting results, especially when aiming for crispy or browned textures. The moisture released by gas combustion during cooking further contributes to a humid environment, adding time to the cooking process.

Convection Oven

Walmart shoppers, if you’re in the market for a convection oven, you’re in luck! These ovens work by circulating hot gas throughout the chamber, distributing heat evenly throughout your products. This type of oven is a staple in commercial kitchens, where it’s used for tasks like baking, frying, and roasting food. In fact, they’re used more than 50% of the time in restaurants, making them a reliable choice for meeting health standards.

One of the biggest advantages of convection ovens is their precise temperature control, allowing you to achieve consistent results with ease. Plus, their compact size means they won’t take up too much space in your kitchen. And, because they can cook food quickly and evenly, you’ll enjoy more time-saving benefits than with a traditional oven. To top it off, convection ovens don’t require preheating, which means less energy used and more savings for you.

Of course, like any appliance, convection ovens aren’t without their drawbacks. Their shorter lifespan is due to the constant heat they’re exposed to, which can wear out their motors faster than regular ovens. Additionally, their hotter parts can be easily damaged from a power surge or short circuit.

Bench-top Convection Ovens

While it may not have the same level of sophistication as its built-in counterparts, a bench-top convection oven is a great option for smaller kitchens. This compact appliance uses the same technology found in commercial kitchens, but in a more portable and space-efficient package. While it may lack some of the fancy features like dual-element heating or infrared broiling, it still manages to deliver excellent cooking results.

Whether you’re baking cakes, roasting meats, or cooking dishes that require even heat distribution, this oven is designed to get the job done with ease and precision.

Toaster Ovens

When shopping on Amazon for a whole-home convection oven, you’ll likely come across units that are designed with commercial use in mind. These larger appliances often feature multiple heating elements, a rotating turntable, and an infrared broiler, making them ideal for baking large quantities of food. However, they’re still accessible to home users who want to experience the benefits of convection cooking.

Compared to traditional ovens, these whole-home models are more affordable, making them a great option for those looking to upgrade from their standard oven. With ease-of-use features like temperature controls and timers, using one of these appliances is a breeze. Although the size of these toaster ovens does impose some limitations on the amount of food you can cook at once, they still offer a convenient cooking solution.

Unfortunately, the bake quality may not quite match that of their larger oven counterparts.

Microwave Ovens

Microwave ovens have revolutionized the way we cook, allowing us to prepare meals quickly and conveniently from anywhere. However, they do have their limitations. Unlike traditional cooking methods, microwaves struggle to achieve a nice brown or crisp texture on food, and often fail to cook evenly. This can result in undercooked centers and overcooked edges, leaving food feeling tough and rubbery. Despite these shortcomings, microwaves excel at rapid heating and reheating of food.

Their rotating table and waveguide technology enable them to cook food up to 10 times faster than traditional methods. As such, they are particularly well-suited for tasks like reheating leftovers, cooking quick meals, thawing frozen foods, and preparing simple dishes like scrambled eggs or instant soups.

Roaster Oven

Roaster ovens are incredibly versatile appliances that can handle high-heat cooking, ensuring even doneness from the inside out, regardless of food shape or size. The constant air circulation provided by the built-in fan ensures that dishes are cooked consistently both in and out. These ovens are perfect for roasting, steaming, and slow cooking, making them a popular choice during holiday seasons when traditional oven space is limited.

While installation may be more affordable than larger ovens, it doesn’t quite match their baking performance. With models ranging from small to large, the smallest capable of handling 1-2 chickens, while the largest can accommodate up to 100 pounds of turkey. This makes them an excellent option for cooking massive meals without taking over your stovetop or primary oven.

Types of Ovens Based on Heating Method

Ovens rely on diverse sources of heat to cook food. Gas-powered ovens, for instance, employ a combustible fuel to generate heat, whereas electric ovens utilize electrical currents to produce warmth. Some modern ovens even leverage steam or traditional heat sources, each with its own unique characteristics. Let’s delve into the workings of these various heating methods and explore their implications on cooking outcomes.

Electric Ovens

When it comes to cooking, many individuals opt for electric ovens over gas-powered ones due to the potential drawbacks of uneven heating. With gas ovens, certain areas may reach scorching temperatures while others remain undercooked, rendering the cooking process imperfect. In contrast, electric ovens eliminate this issue altogether.

Additionally, they tend to cook slightly faster and are generally more energy-efficient than their gas counterparts, although they often come with a higher price tag. Electric ovens typically consist of two primary components: the heating element and fan. These components work in tandem to ensure even heat distribution throughout the cooking chamber, precluding any one area from becoming too hot or cold.

The heating element itself is comprised of coils filled with electrically conductive material that, when energized by an electric current, heats up significantly. The fan then kicks in, circulating air through the coils and dispersing heat uniformly throughout the cooking space, thereby guaranteeing a consistent cooking experience.

Gas Ovens

When it comes to cooking, having the right appliance can make all the difference. Gas ovens, in particular, offer a unique combination of benefits that set them apart from their electric counterparts. By harnessing the power of electricity and converting it into heat distributed through natural gas, gas ovens provide a more even cooking experience, ensuring your dishes are cooked to perfection without overcooking or undercooking any component.

This versatility makes gas ovens a popular choice for baking, as they allow for effortless temperature control and easy use. Furthermore, their ability to retain moisture makes them well-suited for roasting meat, a process that can be notoriously tricky. While some apartments may not utilize gas ovens due to the challenges of fitting a gas line, many homeowners find the benefits far outweigh the minor inconvenience.

Steam Oven

For those looking to cook a variety of dishes, Amazon offers a range of options when it comes to cooking techniques. When seeking to achieve high temperatures, a steam oven is an ideal choice. The unique advantage of this type of oven lies in its ability to maintain the natural flavor and texture of the food being cooked, without drying out or undercooking. By harnessing the power of water vapor, these ovens employ a clever combination of heat and moisture to deliver exceptional results.

Unlike traditional ovens that often require oil for cooking and seasoning, steam ovens eliminate the need for added fats, allowing for healthier meal preparation options. Furthermore, the steam environment effectively traps nutrients while infusing the food with the desired flavors, making it an excellent choice for those prioritizing healthy eating.

Traditional Ovens [pizza]

While a traditional steamer might not be suitable for pizza, your Amazon-bought clay oven is perfect for baking multiple pizzas simultaneously. The result is an unparalleled culinary experience – a harmonious blend of flavors, aromas, and visual appeal that far surpasses the outcome of electric oven cooking. Rice flour-based pizza dough, infused with garlic oil and herbs, is a game-changer.

If you’re not using it for commercial purposes, these large ovens might seem impractical at home, but their benefits can’t be ignored.

Types of Ovens Based on Sizes

When selecting an oven for purchase, it’s crucial to factor in size considerations. To make an informed decision, it’s essential to understand the various dimensions available on the market. This can include compact options suitable for small kitchens, standard sizes that cater to most households, and even larger units designed for heavy-duty use or commercial applications.

Single Oven

At Home Depot, you’ll find the most basic yet efficient ovens that cater to small families or individuals who prefer quick meal prep. These single-partition ovens are designed to accommodate a single tray or pan, making them ideal for cooking for one or two people. Their compact size and portability make them perfect for those who want to cook anywhere, whether it’s under the stovetop or in a corner of their kitchen.

Despite their small stature, these ovens still boast impressive quality and performance, ensuring you can prepare delicious meals without sacrificing functionality.

Double Oven

When shopping on Amazon, look for double ovens that offer interchangeable heating capacities with single-ovens. This versatility allows you to prepare various dishes simultaneously, catering to different cooking needs and preferences. The ability to swap between ovens eliminates concerns about cooking space, as you can easily adjust your cooking strategy to suit the occasion.

For instance, use the top oven for larger or more complex dishes like desserts, while reserving the lower oven for smaller items such as snacks, vegetables, steaks, or baked potatoes.

Triple Oven

With the advent of technology, finding a triple oven has become an increasingly easier task. Samsung took the leap in 2016 by introducing a groundbreaking triple oven, which was essentially a double oven that had been innovatively transformed to accommodate three cooking spaces. The top section is ideal for cooking flat foods, leaving ample space at the bottom for roasting larger items such as whole chickens or even baking cakes.

If you’re interested in acquiring this versatile appliance, simply head to Amazon and make a purchase. As testament to its durability, many families have already had the pleasure of utilizing this high-quality product over the years.

Oven Types Based on Installation Method

As space constraints can be a challenge in many kitchens, it’s essential to understand the different oven installation methods that can help optimize usage. There are several options to consider:

Freestanding Oven

When it comes to versatile ovens, this particular model stands out due to its ability to be installed in a variety of settings – from open areas to underground spaces. This feature not only offers flexibility but also frees up valuable kitchen counter space, making it an attractive option for those seeking to optimize their cooking environment. Additionally, the oven’s user-friendly design features knobs located on both sides of the unit, ensuring effortless operation.

For those interested in acquiring this type of oven, Amazon is a great resource to start your search.

Wall Mounted Oven

One type of oven that’s popular for its ease of installation is the wall-mounted variety. Simply mount it to the wall and you’re good to go – making it a great option if you don’t plan to use it in one fixed spot. Its compact design requires minimal floor space, making it perfect for kitchens with limited real estate. What sets this oven apart is its dual functionality: it can be both corded and cordless, allowing you to wire or unplug the entire unit depending on your needs.

However, it’s worth noting that wall-mounted ovens tend to be pricier due to their installation-based design.

Slide-in Ovens

Installing an electric slide-in oven is a relatively straightforward process that requires minimal disruption to your kitchen layout. The old oven can be simply removed and replaced with the new model, making it an ideal solution for those who don’t plan to undertake a full-scale kitchen renovation. Unlike some more advanced ovens, this model doesn’t boast a flashy display, but its practical design makes it easy to clean.

Additionally, its compact size makes it well-suited to smaller kitchens where space is at a premium. While it may be slightly pricier than a freestanding oven, the slide-in option is still more affordable than a wall-mounted model. Perhaps most notably, it eliminates the gap between the oven and cabinets that can collect crumbs and debris, making for a neater and more convenient cooking experience.

Drop-in Oven

The pièce de résistance of ovens, the drop-in electric oven is both the most expensive and challenging to install. Its unique installation process requires a custom panel cutout, followed by precise placement within a specially designed cabinet. To successfully install this high-end appliance, you’ll need to lift and lower it into position, a task that demands precision and care.

Despite the challenges involved, the end result is well worth the effort, as it seamlessly integrates with your kitchen’s design, elevating its aesthetic appeal and creating a truly luxurious ambiance.

Types of Ovens Based on their Features

The advent of improved technology has led to the development of ovens that boast an array of innovative features, enabling them to transcend their traditional role of mere cooking and roasting. Today’s modern ovens have evolved to offer a diverse range of functions, thanks to the integration of cutting-edge technologies.

These advancements have endowed ovens with the ability to perform tasks beyond just heating and cooking, resulting in a more versatile and efficient appliance that can cater to various culinary needs.

Self-cleaning Ovens

The Amazon kitchen appliance is a multi-talented cooking companion that excels in various cooking techniques. Its versatility allows you to bake, broil, and toast food to perfection, while also heating liquids with ease. You can customize the temperature and cooking time according to your desired outcome, making it suitable for a wide range of culinary creations. Additionally, its adjustable size ensures a comfortable fit in any kitchen setting.

One of its standout features is the self-cleaning mechanism that streamlines maintenance. This innovative feature eliminates the need for manual scrubbing, preventing smoke and fire risks, thereby creating a healthier cooking environment. The appliance’s convection technology further enhances its performance by promoting optimal airflow, which helps retain moisture in cooked foods and prevents drying out.

With its top and bottom baking capabilities, you can choose the most suitable method for your specific needs.

Oven with Wi-Fi

Experience the convenience of cooking with Best Buy’s Wi-Fi enabled ovens. These innovative devices allow you to remotely control temperature and cooking features using your iPhone or Android phone, making it easy to cook without having to lift a finger. The integration with other home appliances such as rice cookers, steamers, and microwaves takes your cooking experience to the next level, providing unparalleled convenience.

With this oven, you can easily manage multiple tasks simultaneously, allowing you to multitask while still preparing your favorite dishes from any room in your home.

Multifunction Oven

When it comes to cooking, versatility is key. If you’re someone who likes to prepare multiple dishes in a single day, a multifunction oven is an excellent choice. These appliances are designed to perform various functions simultaneously, seamlessly transitioning between tasks like baking, roasting, grilling, and defrosting. Some models even offer specialized features for tasks such as proofing dough to perfection.

With its range of capabilities, a multifunction oven can elevate your cooking experience and make it more enjoyable.

Oven with Delay Feature

With AJ Madison’s versatile cooking options, you can effortlessly manage your meal preparation from start to finish. One notable feature is the delay timer, which allows you to set your cooking time up to 24 hours in advance. This thoughtful consideration is particularly useful for those who often find themselves absorbed in other activities while cooking, as it eliminates the need to constantly monitor your dish’s progress.

By programming your cook time ahead of schedule, you can continue with your daily routine without worrying about overcooking or burning your meal.

Delayed Feature Oven

The delayed feature oven boasts cutting-edge roasting and baking controls that enable users to pre-program the cooking time. As the set timer approaches, the oven automatically adjusts the cooking level to ensure a perfectly cooked meal. Once the predetermined time and level of doneness are reached, the oven seamlessly shuts off. This innovative technology is particularly useful when you’re multitasking in the kitchen or need to step away for a moment.

With this feature, you can rest assured that your dish will be cooked to perfection without constant monitoring.

Top Oven Brands

Bosch Oven

Bosch, a reputable brand in the home appliances market, boasts a range of products including their Bosch oven offerings. For those seeking an oven with cutting-edge features, this might be an attractive option. Although it comes with a hefty price tag and tends to consume more expensive electricity compared to other types of ovens, it may still be worth considering for its advanced capabilities.

KitchenAid Oven

When it comes to purchasing an oven, Amazon is just the beginning. Another brand worth considering is KitchenAid, which focuses on providing high-quality kitchen appliances for households. Their latest ovens are designed to meet the needs of any home cook, but it’s worth noting that their products tend to be larger and more bulky compared to other brands.

However, if you have a spacious kitchen with ample room to accommodate these appliances, KitchenAid could be an excellent choice for your cooking needs.

General Electric Ovens [GE]

If you’re in the market for a new oven, GE is a well-established brand worth considering. While they may not be the cheapest option available, their products are known for being both affordable and energy-efficient compared to other brands on the market. One of their top models is the GE JGBP76-JPSO Wall Pro Range, which boasts a sleek stainless steel design and a reversible glass-ceramic top.

Although this model is slightly pricier than many others in its class, its advanced features make it a worthwhile investment for those seeking a high-quality oven experience.

Whirlpool Ovens

Whirlpool, a renowned brand under the Whirlpool Corporation umbrella, has been crafting ovens since its inception in 1911. One of their most impressive products is the WFGTD7100S Range, boasting a sleek stainless steel design. This high-performance appliance features four burners that heat up rapidly and efficiently, making it an ideal choice for home cooks.

LG Ovens

LG Corporation, a leading electronics giant, has expanded its product portfolio to include innovative kitchen appliances like ovens. Their LHS30670WD Range (Stainless Steel) offers a perfect blend of affordability and functionality, making it an attractive option for home cooks. This versatile oven features convection mode cooking, which ensures that dishes are cooked evenly and consistently.

The temperature range can be adjusted between 100 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing you to achieve the perfect doneness. Additionally, the variable broil setting enables you to cook meat dishes to your liking.

Frigidaire Ovens

The Frigidaire FGHB2866PF Range, with its sleek stainless steel finish, boasts an impressive array of features. The appliance boasts two convection ovens, including a microwave-equipped upper oven, allowing for simultaneous cooking of multiple dishes. Four high-performing burners on the main cooktop provide ample heat control options. The range’s three shelves enable flexible meal preparation and plating.

Digital controls situated at the back of the cooktop allow for precise temperature adjustments using intuitive dials. As an electric oven, Frigidaire is renowned for its ease of cleaning. Additionally, a dedicated warming cook burner ensures that cooked food remains fresh and hot.

Features To Consider When Buying an Oven

When it comes to purchasing a gas oven, affordability is just one aspect to consider. This particular appliance offers an impressive array of features that can simplify your cooking experience. Although it cooks quickly, it maintains a relatively low temperature. To ensure you find the perfect gas oven for your needs, there are several key factors to keep in mind. First and foremost, think about the type of gas it uses.

Additionally, consider the lifespan of the burners and how far apart they are positioned. The design of the cooktop is also crucial – some models feature traditional knobs that allow you to adjust the flame, while others utilize digital controls for greater precision.

FAQS on the Types of Ovens

What type of oven do professional chefs use?

For professionals, convection ovens represent a gold standard in cooking, particularly when it comes to baking. The even heat distribution and precise air circulation within these appliances enable consistent cooking results throughout the entire baking process.

What type of oven is best for baking and grilling?

When selecting an oven for baking or grilling, consider opting for a digital conventional model. Not only do these ovens provide exceptional temperature control, but they also ensure consistent and even cooking results, making them ideal for achieving perfectly cooked dishes.

What is a class 2 or 4 oven?

Both Class 2 and Class 4 certifications from Underwriters Laboratory (UL) serve as indicators of an oven’s ability to effectively reheat food at low temperatures. Notably, these classifications determine the level of modern efficiency that a particular oven can achieve. In terms of features, a Class 2 oven is designed with basic components that meet contemporary standards for efficiency.

In contrast, a Class 4 oven stands out as it boasts added features and enhanced energy ratings, ultimately saving users time and money through its improved performance.

Conclusion

When it comes to modern ovens, it’s clear that they’re not just about cooking and roasting anymore. With an array of features, installation models, heat sources, and brands to choose from, selecting the right oven ultimately depends on your unique cooking needs and frequency. Before making a purchase, take the time to consider what you want to achieve with your new appliance. This might mean opting for an economic model if budget is a concern, or being willing to invest in better performance.

Additionally, don’t be afraid to shop around and explore different brands before settling on the one that best fits your lifestyle and preferences.

To embark on a fulfilling career as a kitchen and bath designer, one must first understand the necessary steps to get there. A kitchen and bath designer is responsible for creating functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces that cater to their clients’ needs. This can be achieved by studying the fundamental principles of design, understanding color theory, and developing an eye for detail.

To become a successful kitchen and bath designer, one should consider earning a degree in interior design or a related field. Additionally, gaining hands-on experience through internships or entry-level positions is crucial for building a strong foundation. It’s also essential to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in the industry by attending workshops, seminars, and conferences.

Furthermore, developing strong communication skills is vital for effective collaboration with clients and other professionals involved in the design process.