#Cooking Appliances

Size Capacity

Built-in Ovens

Generally speaking, the standard width of a built-in oven is 60cm. Most kitchen cavities are able to accommodate an oven of this size - but you should always remember to measure before you buy.

It's also possible to buy extra-large wall ovens with a width of up to 90cm. These ovens are great because you can fit larger trays inside - perfect for catering.

You can also buy a double oven, giving you two separate oven cavities to use. Usually, one oven is placed on top of the other, but sometimes they are side by side. The configuration you choose will depend on the layout of your kitchen, and your own preferences.

Freestanding Ovens

Freestanding ovens start at a standard width of 60cm, and go up to widths of around 120cm. The wider the unit, the larger the oven capacity.

Many freestanding ovens have a capacity of approximately 80L, while the larger models offer 100L or more.

A freestanding oven is a great investment if you entertain frequently. The larger capacity means you can cook greater quantities of food, and the extra width on the stovetop means you can fit a variety of pots and pans on top.

Self-cleaning ovens

If you're after a self-cleaning oven, there are two broad types to choose from - pyrolytic and catalytic.

Pyrolytic ovens run a special cleaning cycle that heats the oven to 500°, reducing any food splashes inside to a fine ash that's easy to wipe away with a damp cloth once the cleaning cycle is over.

Catalytic ovens are slightly different. These are normal ovens, except with removable catalytic panels affixed to the walls. The catalytic panels will absorb grease and food residues, and then when the oven reaches temperatures above 200°, these residues will be converted into ash. Then when the oven has cooled down, you can simply wipe the ash away with a damp cloth.

Energy Efficiency

At this stage, ovens that are sold in Australia do not come with an energy star rating. However, there are some ways to tell if an oven is energy efficient:

• Oven door glazing - the more layers of glass in the door, the better insulated your oven will be
• Size - the larger the oven, the more energy it will use
• Fuel type - a gas oven will obviously use less electricity than an electric oven
• European energy ratings - some oven brands provide this information