Best Ovens for Energy Efficient Cooking
The GE JB735 has a fan that circulates heat, making baked goods more evenly baked and creating more crisp, juicy roasted food. It also has bake and roast settings, an air-fry mode, 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, contemporary design, with useful extra features.
Energy efficiency
You should ensure that your oven is energy efficient since it is among the most frequently used appliances in the kitchen. There are many options that can help you reduce your energy bills, but without losing the quality of your meals.
Consider how you intend to use the oven and the features you'd like to see. If you roast chickens or make cakes often an oven with a fan-assisted feature is a great option. It will blow dry, hot air around the meat so that it cooks evenly.
Also, look for an oven that has a self-cleaning function. They will automatically wash away grime and grease after each use, meaning you don't have to waste the time cleaning your oven. They're usually more expensive than self-cleaning ovens that do not however they could be an investment worth it when you frequently use your oven.
Energy-efficient ovens usually have a lower power consumption and use less energy to heat up than standard models. They may also run on a 120-volt standard circuit or a 240-volt circuit, depending on the model. You could also search for an oven that makes use of a combination of convection and radiant heating. This can give more balanced results while reducing the energy consumption.
Other features that are energy efficient to think about include an auto-preheat feature that starts the oven when you're cooking to make it ready for when you need it. There are ovens that have smart technology that connects to your smartphone or tablet via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth that allows you to use apps for control and monitoring of your oven.
Space
If you're confined to space, it's worth choosing a compact oven that'll fit in your kitchen with minimal fuss. These ovens are typically constructed with a flat fascia and can be stacked neatly alongside other appliances to make your kitchen look more spacious. Some models also have an ultra-slim display and the ability to retract the dial for easy cleaning, while others feature the pyrolytic feature that's great for those who cook regularly.
You can also opt for an oven with a smart control for maximum convenience. They come with an app that you can use from the comfort of your home to control your appliance. This is especially helpful if you're busy and want dinner ready for after returning from work, or if you have children who might accidentally press the buttons on an older model.
Larger ovens have greater capacity inside and are more suitable for those who cook often or entertain guests. However, they will require more countertop space than smaller models. You'll need to consider how much space you have and whether it's enough to accommodate a larger appliance.
If you're looking for a budget-friendly option that won't sacrifice functionality this model from Beko is worth a look. It's simple in its design however it has six different functions including a defrosting feature that heats up the oven quickly and an AeroPerfect function that circulates hot air throughout the cavity for even cooking. It also comes with an A rating for energy efficiency and uses recycled fishing nets and industrial thread waste to lessen its environmental impact.
Convenience
In a kitchen that is limited in space, you'll want your oven to serve multiple functions and be easy to use. Choose a straightforward control interface with clear buttons and a large, bright display as well as sturdy handles and racks that slide into and out easily. You also want your oven to heat up quickly and be able to adjust the temperature during cooking.
CHOICE tests reveal that while the majority of ovens cook well, ease of use separates the ordinary from the exceptional. This is why CHOICE kitchen expert Fiona Mair suggests checking the controls, shelf layout and internal surfaces instore before making your purchase.
You can also find models with smart features to help you cook more easily. Certain models can be controlled remotely via an app on your smartphone and tablet. Many of these ovens can scan barcodes of food items and send recipes to the oven to prepare, which is convenient when you're running short of time or want to try something new.
You should also look for an oven that has a slow-cook setting as well as a pizza setting and a grilling function. These functions can help you prepare tasty and nutritious recipes by making your own food in a short amount of time. Some ovens also come with a baking pan as well as a nonstick baking sheets that make them more practical to use.
For added convenience, consider an oven with a built-in convection fan as well as multi-rack capability. The fan circulates warm air which helps hobs to cook food more evenly and decreases the time required for the oven to heat up. The multi-rack feature lets you get different cooking results by placing dishes in different rack positions inside the oven. This can be helpful for recipes that require several layers of batter or dough. Some ovens have self-cleaning features which uses high temperatures to destroy crusted on food. These are typically more effective than traditional self-cleaning methods which make use of water to wash off baked-on food. A quality oven that has self-cleaning features will save you much time in cleaning up after preparing and baking meals.
Safety
If you're looking to purchase an expensive oven, you might prefer one that has a few additional features that will save you time and effort. Some of these features are based on safety while others are ways to cook faster and more efficiently.
Sabbath Mode, for example can help keep food warm for longer so that you don't need to keep heating and cooling the oven when cooking to feed people who are likely to be late for dinner. Most top-end models have steam cleaning to help you clean your oven quickly and easily.
A high-speed cooktop can be a useful feature that makes it easier to cook leftovers or make an pasta dish or omelet. This feature uses short, rapid bursts to cook food quickly. Some models employ glass-ceramic cook surface and have built-in sensors that warn you when the burners remain hot (as as opposed to simply turning on).
Other oven features that come with the price of a premium include trivection ovens, which incorporate convection, microwaves and thermal heating to allow for faster and more even baking. Some ovens also have a function for air-frying that lets you fry crispy food without having to invest in a separate countertop fryer.
Another oven safety feature is an auto shut off that can stop burns if the oven is accidentally activated while it's still hot. This feature is included in a variety of electric ovens however gas ovens are typically available as separate items.
You should also select an oven that is quiet when it is in use.
It is recommended to regularly clean the inside of your oven using a damp sponge or cloth to keep it clean and prevent the accumulation of food debris. Make sure the grates of your oven are removable to make cleaning them easier. You can also periodically soak them in soapy water to remove any stuck-on food.