Wall Oven Information

Updated February 2009

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In this report

Wall Oven Links

With the built-in ovens covered in this report, you will need to have a separate cooktop with gas burners or electric heating coils somewhere else in your kitchen. See our report on cooktops for information on the latest electric, gas and induction cooktops.

The other way to arrange your cooking space is to buy a stand-alone range, with the oven below and the burners or coils on top. Many new ranges of this type look as stylish as pricier wall ovens and cooktops. (See our report on ranges.) Of course, if you're just looking to replace a worn-out appliance, the simplest and often the least expensive option is to buy a newer version of whatever broke and slide it into the same spot. However, if you're looking at options for a new home or remodeling your entire kitchen, you should consider your room layout, as well as the way you like to cook.

An oven-plus-cooktop arrangement allows for more flexibility. If your kitchen is spacious enough to incorporate an island or peninsula, the cooktop can be placed there. This is a nice arrangement for the social cook, because guests can sit across the counter while you cook. Wall oven and cooktop installations are often custom jobs, so be sure to get installation estimates and include those costs in your budget.

In June 2007, about 42,000 various Thermador wall ovens were recalled. There were reports that the insulation had gaps, which posed a fire hazard in self-cleaning mode that could heat nearby cabinets. In December 2007, about 92,000 GE, GE Profile and Kenmore microwave/oven combination wall units were recalled because a door switch in the microwave oven could overheat and ignite plastic components in the control area, posing a fire hazard. Another 244,000 GE and Kenmore wall ovens were recalled in November 2008. See the Consumer Products Safety Commission website for details.

The Oven Buying Guide at Choice.com contains general information about all kinds of ovens, including gas, electric and steam.

It's next to impossible for us to list the various model numbers, colors, sizes and configurations produced by each company. Each manufacturer can have dozens of variations on the same basic model. You'll find detailed product and sizing info on the manufacturers' websites listed here: