Choosing a wall oven

Wall ovens (also known as built-in ovens) get recessed into a wall in the kitchen; they lend a custom or built-in look to even budget kitchens. Use a single or double wall oven in combination with a separate cooktop to create a functional kitchen with different zones for food prep and cooking. Wall installation allows more room for a double oven and can be more convenient for use since it can be installed at a height that doesn't require bending. The big drawback of a cooktop/wall oven combination is price. Shoppers can buy a standard, no-frills range for less than $500, while even the cheapest oven/cooktop combo will cost at least $1,000. ConsumerSearch has separate reports on ranges and cooktops.

The vast majority of today's wall ovens are electric but gas models do still exist. According to experts, electric ovens generally heat faster and more evenly than gas ovens. Gas ovens are naturally hotter at the top and cooler at the bottom, so food cooked on multiple racks must be rotated regularly for even browning. On the plus side, gas ovens are less likely to dry out food than electric ovens without convection (discussed below).

Most wall ovens are 30 inches wide but smaller versions are out there as well. Single ovens are the most common, but manufacturers also offer single-double and double ovens, which can considerably expand a user's cooking options. Single-double ovens have the capacity of a single oven, but divide the space between two smaller ovens. Double models include at least one full-size oven. Both types allow home chefs to cook two items simultaneously at different temperatures.

Highly rated electric wall ovens generally cost $1,500 to $2,000. Budget models (under $1,000) are usually smaller and lack popular features like convection. Convection ovens use high-speed fans to circulate hot air, cutting cooking time and improving browning. Nearly every wall oven comes with a one-year warranty.

Additionally, keep in mind how and what you cook. If you don't do a lot of roasting or baking and you aren't concerned about cooking times, you can probably skip the convection feature -- and the several hundred dollars it adds to the overall price of the appliance. Here are some other tips to consider before you buy a wall oven:

  • Check wall oven dimensions. This is especially important to consider if you will be replacing an existing wall oven or working within your specific cabinet sizes. You should closely examine the exterior dimensions of a wall oven to be sure it will fit properly in the available space. Manufacturers are good about posting specific measurements online.
  • Consider styling. While not a functional consideration, styling is important to many homeowners. Keep in mind that you may pay more for a sleek design. Stainless steel often costs $250 to $500 more than a black or white finish, and it also tends to show fingerprints more.
  • Think twice about self-cleaning features. Self-cleaning is an incredibly popular feature, but it's also very trouble-prone. Numerous owners complain about their wall ovens breaking or blowing a fuse when they tried to use the self-cleaning feature. Problems with the self-cleaning mode are also the cause of most oven recalls.
  • Look at the number of rack positions. The more positions you have for your oven racks, the more flexibility you have for cooking large items and getting your food closer to or farther from the heat source. The editors of ConsumerReports.org recommend choosing an oven with at least five rack positions.
  • Go for covered heating elements, which save time at cleanup. This feature makes drips and spills easier to clean up. A self-cleaning surface (also known as a catalytic liner) aids cleanup as well.
  • Budget for your cooktop. At first glance, wall ovens are comparable in price to ranges, but once you add in the price of a cooktop, the total cost rises considerably.

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