Best Ovens for Energy Efficient Cooking
The GE JB735 comes with a fan which circulates heat. This ensures baked goods are evenly cooked and roasts crisper and more delicious. It also comes with bake and roast settings as well as an air-fry mode and two oven racks that can be adjusted to six levels.
It has a large interior capacity, which is ideal for hosting family gatherings. It features a sleek, modern design with convenient extra features.
Energy efficiency
You want to make sure that your oven is energy-efficient, as it is among the most used appliances in the kitchen. There are a lot of great options out there to aid you in reducing your energy bills, without having to sacrifice the quality of your food.
Consider how you intend to use the oven and what features you want. If you roast chickens or bake cakes frequently, an oven that has the ability to run a fan is a great option. It will blow hot air over the meat to ensure that it cooks evenly, ensuring there aren't any cold spots or overcooked areas.
Also, make sure you 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 are usually more expensive than ovens that don't self-clean however, they could be an investment worth it in the event that you use your oven often.
Energy-efficient ovens usually have a lower power consumption and consume less energy to heat up than standard models. They may also be able to run from a standard 120-volt circuit or a 240-volt circuit, dependent on the model. You could also search for an oven that utilizes convection in combination with radiant heating. This can give more balanced results while reducing your energy bill.
Other energy-efficient features to consider include an auto-preheat feature that will start the oven while you're cooking so that it's ready 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 appliance.
Space
If you're short on space, it's worth choosing a compact oven that'll fit into your kitchen with little effort. These ovens are typically constructed with a flat fascia, and they can be stacked neatly alongside other appliances to make your kitchen look more spacious. Some models also feature a slimline display and retractable dial controls for easy cleaning, while others feature the pyrolytic feature that's great for those who cook regularly.
You can also opt for a smart oven to maximize convenience. These models have an app that you can access from your home to control your appliance. This can be particularly useful when you're working and need dinner ready when you get back from work or if you have kids who accidentally press buttons on an older model.
Larger ovens have greater capacities inside, and are better suited for people who cook frequently or entertain guests. They also may require more counter space than smaller models. You'll need to figure out the amount of counter space you have, and whether it's sufficient for a larger appliance.
If you're looking for a budget-friendly option that doesn't sacrifice quality the model from Beko is worth a look. It's minimalist in design, but still boasts six different functions that include a defrosting option which heats up the oven quickly, as well as an AeroPerfect function which circulates hot air throughout the cavity to ensure even cooking. It has an energy rating of A and makes use of recycled fishing nets and industrial thread waste to lessen its environmental impact.
Convenience
In a kitchen that is limited in space, you want your oven to serve multiple functions and be easy to use. You should look for a user-friendly control panel, with buttons clearly marked and with a bright display. Also, look for handles and racks that are easy to insert and removed. You want your oven to heat quickly and be able to alter the temperature as you cook.
The tests conducted by CHOICE show that, while the majority of ovens cook well, their ease of use is what separates the ordinary from the exceptional. Fiona Mair, CHOICE's kitchen expert, recommends that you check the controls, shelf designs and internal surfaces before purchasing.
You can also find models with smart features to help you cook more easily. Some models can be controlled remotely via an app for your tablet or smartphone. A lot of these ovens also scan barcodes of food items and then send recipes to the oven for you to cook, which is convenient when you're running short of time or want to try something new.
Other functions you should look for in an oven are grilling functions as well as a pizza setting and slow-cook function. All of these functions can assist you in creating healthy and delicious meals in a short amount of time. Some ovens come with a baking pan and nonstick baking sheets that make them more convenient to use.
For additional convenience, consider an oven with a built-in convection fan and multi-rack capabilities. The fan circulates warm air, which helps cook your food more evenly and decreases the time required for the oven to warm up. Similarly, the multi-rack feature lets you achieve different cooking outcomes by placing dishes on different rack positions in the oven. This is particularly useful in recipes that require several layers of batter or dough. There are also ovens that have self-cleaning features that makes use of high temperatures to destroy crusted-on food. These methods are generally more efficient than the traditional self-cleaning method that uses water to wash off baked-on food. A good quality oven with self-cleaning features will save you lots of time cleaning up after cooking and baking meals.
Safety
If you're investing in an top of the line oven, you may prefer one that has a few additional features that can save you time and effort. Some of these features are safety-related while others are ways to cook faster and more efficiently.
For instance, a Sabbath Mode can help keep food warm for longer, so you don't need to keep heating and cooling down the oven while cooking for those who are coming late to dinner. A majority of top-end models also come with a steam clean feature to make cleaning quick and easy.
A high-speed cooker is an excellent feature that makes it easier to heat leftovers, or even make an omelet or pasta. This feature uses quick, short bursts of heat to speedily bring food back to temperature. Certain models utilize glass-ceramic, smooth cooking surface and have built-in sensors that warn you when the burners are hot (as opposed to just turning it on).
Trivection ovens are yet another feature that is accompanied by higher prices. They combine convection, microwaving, and thermal heating to bake faster and more evenly. Some ovens also have a dedicated function for air-frying that allows you to get crispy food without the need to purchase an additional fryer for your countertop.
Another oven safety feature is an auto shut off that can stop burns in the event that the oven is accidentally turned on while it's hot. This feature is found in a variety of electric ovens however gas ovens are typically sold separately.
It is also important to select an oven that is quiet when in use.
Ovens can be a fire hazard if they're not properly maintained, so you must clean the interior of your oven regularly using a sponge or damp cloth to keep it looking clean and to avoid the accumulation of food residues that have hardened. It is also important to ensure the grates of your oven are movable so that you can clean them easily and regularly soak them in best oven hot, soapy water to get rid of food residues that have accumulated.