Buying guide for Best wall ovens
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From foodies, to home bakers, to interior design enthusiasts, many people dream of a kitchen with wall ovens. Whether you're doing a full remodel, or just updating your appliances, a wall oven can add efficiency and style.
Choosing the right wall oven is key. Which size is right for your kitchen? Which type of wall oven would suit you best? And which features would make the appliance most useful for you? We've written this handy buying guide to help you find the right wall oven for your kitchen and cooking style. We also include our favorite models to help you get started with your shopping.
Benefits of a wall oven
Perhaps you’re toying with the idea of buying a wall oven but aren’t completely sure it’s right for you. Check out these benefits to see how owning a wall oven might impact your cooking experience.
Easy access
Are you tired of bending and kneeling to take items in and out of your range? If you choose, you can install your wall oven at a higher level than your range. Easy access makes a wall oven ideal for older people or anyone with joint or back issues.
Increased capacity
A single wall oven might hold slightly less food than a range, but a double wall oven can significantly increase your cooking space. With two full-sized wall ovens, you can cook nearly twice as much food.
Saved space
Because it’s built into the wall or a cabinet, a wall oven can save floor space in your kitchen.
Flexible layout
With a separate oven and cooktop, a wall oven affords you greater flexibility in how you configure your kitchen layout.
Expert tip
Double ovens are a gorgeous addition to your kitchen, but make sure you actually need two ovens more than five times a year.
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We note the size of each wall oven we consider. Standard sizes are 24 inches, 27 inches, and 30 inches, with 30-inch wall ovens the most common options.
Although we consider both electric and gas wall ovens, in general, consumers should know that there are more electric options than gas.
We take note of wall ovens that have a control lockout feature. This allows you to disable the oven’s control panel when you’re not using it. It can help prevent accidents, especially with small children in the home.
Many of the top wall ovens include a built-in temperature probe that allows users to check the internal temperature of whatever they may be cooking. We note this feature in our research.
We look at wall ovens that are single ovens, double ovens, and also some that are considered to be an “oven and a half.” Double ovens usually feature two vertically stacked ovens. An oven-and-a-half has a regular oven and an extra space for warming, reheating, or grilling.
We appreciate wall ovens that connect to WiFi for control via a smartphone app. This is convenient if you’re looking to preheat the oven or turn it off when you’re not in close proximity.
We appreciate a wall oven with a sleek design that is resistant to fingerprints.
Some wall ovens have a convection cooking feature with an internal fan that circulates hot air. This feature promotes even cooking. When it is offered, we note it in our research.
We investigate each wall oven to see if it has a self-cleaning mode. Often, we are drawn to those that offer steam cleaning because it’s the fastest method and doesn’t produce the same toxic fumes as other cleaning cycles.
We consider how long it takes an oven to preheat and cool down when determining which ovens are the top wall ovens.
Factors to consider when choosing a wall oven
Fuel type
Both electric and gas wall ovens are available, but you’ll find a lot more electric wall ovens on the market than gas wall ovens. If you’ve got your heart set on a gas wall oven, be advised that you may not have a very large selection to choose from.
Size and capacity
You’ll need to decide whether you want a 24-inch, 27-inch, or 30-inch wall oven. Measure your kitchen space to determine what you can accommodate; 30-inch wall ovens are most common.
In terms of interior capacity, wall ovens are slightly smaller than range ovens. A range typically offers about five cubic feet of interior space, whereas a wall oven offers roughly 3.5 cubic feet of space. If you’re concerned about capacity, look for a wall oven that provides maximum interior space.
Single or double
Wall ovens are available in both single and double varieties. A double wall oven features two ovens, one on top of the other. The second oven can make up for the limited capacity of a single model. However, double wall ovens cost considerably more than single wall ovens.
You can also find wall ovens that provide an oven and a half. The “half” oven isn’t a complete oven, but it provides a space for warming, reheating, and grilling food. This can help free up some space in the other oven.
If you want your food cooked evenly on all sides, choose a wall oven with a convection feature.
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Convection cooking
A convection oven has an internal fan that circulates hot air, allowing food to cook evenly. Some wall ovens are equipped with a convection cooking feature.
If you want a true convection oven, make sure the model you choose has an additional heating element surrounding the fan.
Self-cleaning
Many wall ovens include a self-cleaning feature. If your food bubbles over and burns onto the interior, this is an appreciated feature indeed.
For the most effective self-cleaning mode, look for a wall oven that offers steam cleaning. This method works fast and doesn’t produce the same toxic fumes as other cleaning cycles.
Extra features
In addition to the features mentioned above, there are some nice “extras” that you’ll find in some wall ovens. Here is a partial list.
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Built-in temperature probe: This feature allows you to easily check the internal temperature of the meat you’re cooking.
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Control lockout feature: If you have young children, you may prefer a wall oven with a control lockout feature. This allows you to disable the oven’s control panel so kids can’t turn the appliance on and burn themselves.
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Sabbath mode: For observant Jewish families, Sabbath mode can be an important feature. It allows you to preheat the oven so you can still warm foods during the Sabbath without worrying about the oven turning itself off.
- WiFi: Some wall ovens are equipped with WiFi, which allows you to control the oven via a smartphone app. You can use WiFi to preheat the oven or turn it off remotely.
Expert tip
When choosing your oven, consider getting one with a fan in the back (convection setting) to reduce the uneven hot spots that crop up in all ovens.
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Wall oven prices
Wall ovens vary in price based on size, type, number of ovens, and manufacturer. You could spend as little as $600 or as much as $5,500 on one.
Inexpensive
Single wall ovens generally cost between $600 and $3,500.
Mid-range
Some single wall ovens come paired with a microwave. Prices for this combo range from $1,900 to $3,600.
Expensive
Double wall ovens generally cost between $1,400 and $5,500.
"Bending to insert or remove food isn’t necessary if you install your wall oven high enough. Because of this, wall ovens are often ideal for people with back issues or joint pain."
STAFF
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Tips
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Professional installation is probably the way to go. Installing a wall oven is fairly complicated. It’s best to have it done by a licensed electrician or other professional.
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Choose the location for your wall oven carefully. When you’re deciding where to place it, consider where your main work area is. For the best layout, choose a spot that won’t require you to repeatedly walk through your main work area to access the oven.
- Install the oven at a convenient level. Most people appreciate not having to bend down to put food in and take it out of their wall oven.
FAQ
Q. Would I appreciate having a wall oven?
A. A wall oven works well for individuals who entertain frequently and often have a crowded kitchen. If you host lots of gatherings that require multiple dishes, a wall oven definitely comes in handy.
A wall oven also works well for kitchens in which more than one person tends to cook at the same time. One person can handle the cooktop while the other works at the oven.
Expert tip
If you’re installing your wall oven at torso height, consider getting a French door, or two-door oven that’s split down the middle of the oven and opens up to the right and left. This feature makes putting in and removing heavy items much easier since there isn't a large drop-down door in the way.
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Q. What type of wall oven is best for bakers?
A. An electric wall oven typically works best for baking because it provides more accurate temperatures, which helps keep baked goods from burning.
Q. Is it necessary to have a wall oven and a cooktop from the same manufacturer?
A. Because they’re not connected, it is not necessary to choose a wall oven and a cooktop from the same manufacturer. In fact, a wall oven/cooktop setup allows for more versatility because you can choose the oven and cooktop models that best fit your particular cooking needs.
