Wall Oven Brands and Links

Deciding between a wall oven and range

If you opt for a built-in oven, 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.

Another option is to buy a 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 for more information.) 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 what you already own. If you're looking at options for a new home or remodeling your kitchen, you should consider the room's layout, as well as the way you like to cook before making a final purchase decision.

Wall oven recalls

Numerous wall ovens have been recalled in the past few years. Thermador, in particular, is a trouble-prone brand. The company announced a recall of 37,000 wall ovens in January 2010 due to a fire hazard. According to reports, the insulation in the ovens was insufficient, and fires could occur when the self-cleaning mode was used. Thermador previously recalled 42,000 wall ovens in June 2007 for the same problem.

Kenmore and GE wall ovens have also been recalled due to safety issues. In December 2007, about 92,000 GE, GE Profile and Kenmore microwave/oven combination wall units were recalled. This recall was due to a door switch in the microwave oven that could overheat and ignite plastic components in the control area. Another 244,000 GE and Kenmore wall ovens were recalled in November 2008 for fire hazards related to the self-cleaning cycle. And, in May 2008 about 7,500 Kenmore wall ovens were recalled because of the risk of gas buildup in the oven during broiling, which created a fire and burn hazard. These recalls involve a number of models, so visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission's website for details.

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

The editors at ConsumerReports.org also offer a helpful wall oven buyer's guide.

Kitchens.com has an interesting video about the benefits of wall ovens versus stand-alone ranges.

Wall oven brands

You'll find detailed product and sizing info on the manufacturers' websites:

Amana

Bosch

Dacor

Electrolux

Frigidaire

GE

Jenn-Air

Kenmore

KitchenAid

Maytag

Miele

Thermador

Whirlpool

Wolf