The hot list: 8 questions about ovens, answered

Choosing an oven is an important decision – one that the John Lewis cooking appliances buying guide can certainly help you make. But, before you get down to the business of choosing this essential piece of kitchen tech, it’s good to get clear on how you will be using it in your home. 

For instance, will you mainly be cooking for two people, or do you need something that works for a big family? Are you a keen baker or a roast potato super-fan? Before you make your selection, here are eight important questions to consider.

Value for money depends on your price point. ‘Set a budget and work within it,’ says John Lewis Partner and Large Electrical Buyer Heather Andrews. ‘For a model under £400 the Bosch Series 4 Built-In Single Oven is excellent option; under £700, I would recommend the Neff N50 Slide & Hide Built-In Single Oven; and the Miele Self Cleaning Oven is great for those looking for a premium model (for less than £1,000).’

‘If you have a big family or love hosting, a double oven gives you the ability to cook a wide variety of dishes at the same time – perfect for roast dinners,’ says Heather. ‘Single ovens take up less space and offer more choice in terms of price, design and innovation.’

‘Your oven is essentially like the fireplace of the kitchen,’ says Heather. ‘It’s your chance to make a real style statement. Freestanding range cookers, for example, can add a striking pop of colour.’ A great example is the eye-catching Bertazzoni Professional Series Dual Fuel Range Cooker, which comes in vibrant orange, yellow, white and red – along with classic black and stainless steel options.

If you need an over that can come to the rescue when you’ve literally or metaphorically got your hands full, hi-tech smart ovens can be a great option. Connected to your phone or voice assistant, they can be controlled remotely in order to save you time and take some of the stress out of cooking. Heather recommends the popular Neff N50 Slide And Hide model, which features a full-colour touch display and CircoTherm® technology to keep the heat on each level of the oven separate and consistent, enabling you to roast and bake simultaneously. Clever.

Keen bread bakers should consider plumping for an oven with a steam cooking function. As Heather explains: ‘Steam cooking keeps the crust soft during the first few minutes so the loaf gets that final expansion, but also helps achieve a glossy, crisp crust at the end of the baking process. Beyond breadmaking, this mode also helps retain minerals and nutrients when you’re cooking vegetables.’

An oven that cleans itself can be the most important factor when it comes to deciding on a new model. Saving you hours of elbow grease, pyrolytic ovens incinerate any cooking residue leaving just ash to wipe away. Heather recommends these popular models. 

Dual-fuel (meaning an electric oven with a gas hob) provides the speed of gas cooking on the hob combined with the consistency of an electric fan-assisted oven. Other ovens require a separate hob, which then poses an additional question: which type is best for you? ‘Gas hobs heat up quickly, whereas electric hobs look sleeker and are easier to clean,’ says Heather. ‘Induction hobs are increasingly popular, offering instant, precise heat with high safety levels because they warm the pan, not the hob surface. Induction is also used in the latest venting hobs, which are a great option for contemporary kitchen islands.’

For total peace of mind, you can opt for the John Lewis installation service when buying your new oven. If you’re upgrading your oven or switching from a gas to electric induction hob, it’s always worth asking an electrician whether your existing circuitry is suitable before you hit that ‘buy’ button.