Various types of ovens worth knowing about

For your home kitchen you can choose from a variety of modern ovens that suit your tastes in terms of features and that fit perfectly into your layout plans. Some of the types that you can consider include single ovens, double ovens, built-under double ovens, microwave ovens, steam ovens and self cleaning ovens. For all these varieties there are price, functionality, energy efficiency and style issues to consider and you are best advised to do some prior research on whatever model that appeals to you.

Steam ovens make use of hot, moist air to enable you steam, bake and/or roast your food. These ovens can be installed pretty quickly and easily. They feature removable water tanks that have enough volume to allow you steam cook your food at full power for approximately 70 minutes. The water that has been supplied to the oven capacity is heated courtesy of a powerful element located at the appliance’s base.

Steam ovens are therefore capable of achieving maximum efficiency in use since the element only heats the volume of water sufficient for the cooking process. Further, more efficiency is achieved by means of a thermostatic control which ensures that steam temperatures fall between 35°C and 100°C; these temperatures are ideal for cooking virtually all types of vegetables, poultry, meat and fish. In terms of maintenance, it is easy to clean these ovens since they have stainless steel interiors. The ovens also have cleaning and de-scaling programmes.

Microwave ovens are modern kitchen accessories that are most ideal for situations when you need to prepare your meals quickly. These ovens operate via the principle of microwave radiation – this radiation, which has an estimated frequency of 2500 MHz, is passed through any food that has been placed in the cooking chamber and subsequently cooks or heats it. The basic components of these ovens are the humidity sensor, control keypad, digital clock, rotating turntable, and of course the cooking chamber. In using microwave ovens it is ill-advised to have the food placed in metal containers as these materials absorb microwaves and their use will damage the oven. The best containers to use therefore are those that don’t absorb these waves, including most ceramics, glass and plastic.

Single ovens, double ovens and built-under double ovens vary in terms of size, internal capacity, and kitchen design application.In terms of practicality, single ovens are perhaps the most flexible option available, because of their 600mm wide X 600mm high dimensions, ‘standard size’ to fit with most kitchen designs. As such these ovens can either be fitted in tall oven housings or beneath worktops. Their capacity is between 53lt and 58lt although this can go as high as 70lt.

Double ovens, like their name, feature two ovens, and they have dimensions of 600mm wide X 900mm high. The top oven is a grill cum conventional type oven with a 33-36lts capacity while the bottom one is mostly a fan oven with a capacity of 53-60lts. Double ovens can only be fitted into tall housings or studio height units but not under worktops as their height dimensions well exceed this position’s height.

Built-under double ovens are the perfect solution for you if you really need to have a double oven that can fit under the worktop. As their height, typically 720mm, is well below double ovens’ 900mm height it follows that total oven volume is considerably reduced. The top oven retains the 33-36lts capacity but the bottom one is reduced to a 49-53lts capacity.

Self-cleaning ovens cleanly burn off any spills left behind after baking using high temperature cycles reaching as high as 482°C. These ovens feature a mechanical interlock door that remains locked during and after these cleaning cycles therefore preventing possible burn injuries. Such ovens facilitate energy costs savings as they are designed to have more insulation thus making for energy-efficient baking processes.