Best Ovens for Energy Efficient Cooking
The GE JB735 has a fan that circulates heat, making baked goods more evenly baked and creating fresher, more flavorful roasted foods. It also has bake and roast settings and an air-fry setting, and two oven racks that can be adjusted to six levels.
It has a large interior capacity, which is ideal to host family gatherings. It features a sleek, modern design with convenient extra features.
Energy efficiency
An oven is one of the most frequently used appliances in the kitchen, so you want to be sure that it is energy efficient. Thankfully, there are some great options out there to assist you in saving on your energy bills, without having to sacrifice the quality of your food.
Consider how you intend to use the oven and what features you'd like to see. For instance, if often roast chicken or bake cakes, an oven that has a fan-assisted roasting feature is a good option. It will blow dry, hot air around the meat so that it cooks evenly.
Also, select an oven that has a self-cleaning feature. These models will automatically clean your oven after every use. You won't need to spend time cleaning it. They're usually more expensive than ovens uk that don't self-clean, but they are a worthwhile investment when you use your oven often.
Energy-efficient ovens typically have a lower power consumption and consume less energy to heat than conventional models. Some models can to operate on a 120-volt, or 240-volt circuit, based on their design. You can also opt for an oven that incorporates convection and radiative heating to achieve more balanced results while saving energy.
Other energy-efficient features to consider include the auto-preheat feature which starts the oven while you're cooking to make it ready when you need it. There are also smart ovens that can connect to your smartphone or tablet via WiFi or Bluetooth. This allows you to monitor and control the oven using an app.
Space
If you're short on space, it's worth choosing an oven that is compact enough to fit in your kitchen without much effort. These models feature flat surfaces and can be neatly stacked with other appliances to give your kitchen a more spacious appearance. Some models also have an ultra-slim display and the ability to retract the dial for easy cleaning, while others have an exclusive pyrolytic function that is ideal for those who cook often.
Select a smart oven to increase your convenience. These models typically come with an app that allows you to control your appliance from your home. This can be particularly useful if you're busy and want dinner ready when you return from work or if you have kids who might accidentally press the buttons on a model that is older.
Larger ovens have larger interior capacities and are better suited to people who cook frequently or host guests. However, they'll require more counter space than smaller models. You'll need to think about how much surface space you have and whether it's enough for a larger appliance.
This model from Beko offers a budget-friendly alternative that isn't compromising on performance. It's simple in design, but still boasts six different functions that include a defrosting option which heats up the oven quickly and an AeroPerfect function that circulates hot air through the cavity to ensure even cooking. It also comes with an A rating for energy efficiency and uses recycled fishing nets and industrial thread waste to minimize its environmental impact.
Convenience
You need an oven that is easy to use and has multiple functions for an apartment kitchen. Look for a simple control interface with clear buttons and a bright display, along with sturdy handles and racks that can slide in and out easily. You also need your oven to warm up quickly and be able to regulate the temperature during cooking.
CHOICE tests have shown that, while the majority of ovens are well-performing, the user-friendliness is what differentiates the average from exceptional. This is why CHOICE kitchen expert Fiona Mair recommends looking over the controls, shelf layout and internal surfaces instore before making your purchase.
There are also models with intelligent features that can help you cook more easily. Certain models can be controlled remotely using an app for your smartphone and tablet. The ovens can scan barcodes and transmit recipes directly to the oven. This is a great option if you're not able to cook in time or want to try out something new.
Other useful functions to look for in an oven are grilling, pizza setting and slow-cook feature. These functions can help you prepare tasty and nutritious recipes from scratch in a brief amount of time. Some ovens have a nonstick baking sheet as well as baking tray. This makes them even more practical to use.
Consider an oven that has a convection fan built in and can accommodate several racks. The fan circulates hot air which allows food cook more evenly and also reduces the time it takes for the oven to heat up. The multi-rack feature lets you achieve different cooking outcomes by placing your dishes in different rack positions inside the oven. This can be helpful for recipes that require multiple layers of dough or batter. Some ovens have a self cleaning option that uses high temperatures to destroy the crusts that have formed on food. They are generally more efficient than the traditional self-cleaning techniques, which employ water to wash away baked-on food. Self-cleaning ovens are a great way to save time after you've cooked and baked meals.
Safety
You might want to think about an oven that has additional features that can save you time and effort. Some of these features are related to safety while others are ways to cook faster and more efficiently.
For instance the Sabbath Mode can help keep foods warm for longer, so you don't have to keep heating up and cooling down the oven when you're cooking for guests who are coming late to dinner. The top models usually have steam cleaning features to help you clean your oven quickly and easily.
A high-speed cooker is a useful feature that allows you to reheat leftovers, or make an omelet or pasta. This feature uses rapid, short bursts of heat to quickly bring food back to temperature. Some models employ glass-ceramic, smooth cooking surface and have built-in sensors that will alert you when the burners are hot (as instead of simply turning on).
Other oven features that are included in the price of a premium include trivection ovens that combine convection, microwaves and thermal heating for faster and more even baking. Some ovens also have a dedicated function for air-frying that allows you to get crispy food without the need to purchase an additional countertop fryer.
Another safety-related oven feature is an auto shut-off that can stop burns if the oven is accidentally activated when it's hot. A lot of electric ovens have this feature, while gas ovens can usually be bought with it separately.
An oven can also generate quite a bit of noise when it's operating, so you should try to choose an oven that has a low operating volume or one with a built-in fan that can help to reduce the noise.
You should regularly wipe down the interior of your oven using a damp sponge or cloth to keep it clean and to avoid the accumulation of food residue. Make sure the grates of your oven are removable to make cleaning them much easier. You can also periodically soak them in hot soapy water to get rid of any food particles that have accumulated on them.