Quicklist: Oven options
- Gas-Powered
- Electric
- Steam-Powered
- Wood-Burning (Pizza)
- Conventional
- Convection
- Microwave
- Double
- Single
- Miniature (microwave/convection hybrid)
- Wall
- Slide-In
- Drop-In
- Freestanding
- Warming Drawer
- Storage Drawer
- Self-Cleaning
- Proof Mode
- Wi-Fi
- Delay Bake
When was the oven invented?
The first wood-burning oven ever built was in 1490 in Alsace, France. In 1728, the Germans introduced the five-plate iron oven which was further developed in the early 1800s by Benjamin Thompson for use in kitchens. The invention of the kerosene oven and the baseburner soon followed.
The 20th century saw the invention of gas-operated ovens and electric ovens. The latest innovation, a microwave oven, was invented in 1945 by American physicist Percy Spencer during a lab test after he noticed microwaves from a magnetron melted a chocolate bar in his shirt pocket.
Related: Stove Alternatives | Oven vs Air Fryer | Oven vs Slow Cooker | How Does a Toaster Work | Can You Bake Cakes and Cookies with a Toaster Oven| Oven vs Grill
Below we break down the different types of ovens available and their most important features.
Parts of an Oven (Anatomy Diagram)
Types of Ovens by Power Source
Gas-Powered Oven
Major advantage of a gas-powered oven: Heats up fast
Main disadvantage: Uneven heat
If you want a lot of control over your baking then you will want to opt for a gas oven. These have long been used in restaurants and are recently becoming popular in home kitchens as well as homeowners learn about the myriad benefits they will enjoy.
Using gas ovens will give you a lot of control over your cooking and allows you to precisely set the temperature at which you want to cook. Additionally, you will experience a shorter preheat time with a gas oven than you will with one that is heated by electricity.
This means that you can heat your oven faster and it will cost less, as well. Gas ovens also cook down very quickly when you turn them off and are well known for heating and cooking food incredibly evenly so you don’t have hot spots in the oven that will burn part of your food.
Cooking with gas creates a moist environment in the oven and you are less likely to accidentally dry out the meal you are making. Using gas to power your oven means that you won’t have monthly bills that are as high as if you were using electricity, as this fuel is not only less expensive, but you won’t need to run your oven as long to heat and cook your meal.
In general, gas ovens are lower maintenance than electric ones, which tend to have faulty parts that need to be replaced much more often. Some of the problems that you may experience with a gas oven include a gas smell due to the valves opening up too early when turning on your oven, and delayed ignition.
This occurs when you have blocked ports and you will need an expert to come and clean them out for you.
Source: Houzz
Electric Ovens
Advantages of electric ovens:
- Higher maximum heat
- More finesse at lower heat (better control)
- More even heat throughout the oven
If you want a reliable oven without having to pay exorbitant prices that are traditionally associated with gas ovens then you will want to consider electric for your home kitchen. These are not only less expensive than gas ovens, but they are easy to use and don’t experience problems with blocked ports and pilot lights that go out.
You can easily press a button or turn a knob and begin heating up your electric oven instantly. Of course, they do tend to take longer to heat and often have uneven heating spots in the oven, but they are very reliable and easy for any home cook to use.
If you like to roast a lot in your oven then you will love that electric ovens produce dry heat. This means that you have a dry environment in your oven and don’t have to deal with extra moisture.
If you do want to add extra moisture and make the inside of your oven a little more humid you can easily do this by adding a pan of water or spritzing the food that you are going to bake with a little bit of water. This gives you a lot of control over the cooking conditions of your food.
Source: Wayfair
Steam-Powered Ovens
Steam ovens are slowly growing in popularity and are a great alternative for homeowners who want to be able to cook food that is full of nutrients and good for you. These ovens operate by injecting water in the oven into a boiler. This water can pass through a water line to the boiler or be stored in a separate canister until needed.
Once there, the boiler will create steam which heats up the oven. Not only does this create a moist cooking environment inside your oven, but greatly reduces the need to use oil when baking which makes it a healthy alternative to other types of cooking and baking.
If you want your baked food to be crispy then this may not be the best choice for you, as the amount of steam inside the oven can keep things moist. However, when you bake with a steam oven you will notice that your cooking times are reduced, your food is more flavorful and your food has more nutrients.
You can buy steam ovens in a variety of sizes to meet the needs of your family, but it is important to note that these ovens are going to be much more expensive than electric or gas ovens.
Source: Amazon
Wood-Burning Oven
Most folks buy a wood burning (or pellet burning) oven for pizza — aka a pizza oven.
If your family loves to make homemade pizza then you probably already know that your regular oven isn’t able to get temperatures that are high enough to produce a crisp crust. Pizza ovens are specifically designed to handle the high temperatures needed. Commercial pizza ovens can cook at temperatures over 800 degrees Fahrenheit.
Different Ovens by Heat Type
Conventional
Conventional ovens have a stationary heat source that radiates heat in the oven. This heat source is usually at the bottom of the oven, and then the heat is allowed to rise and heat up the oven.
The main problem with conventional ovens is that they tend to have pockets of hot air, and this will cause food to cook unevenly and even to burn. Since hot air rises you may find that the top of your food in your oven burns while the underside doesn’t cook all of the way.
Source: Wayfair
Convection
Convection ovens have a distinct advantage over conventional ovens, and that’s that they use a fan to help to distribute the hot air evenly throughout the oven. This means that your food will be evenly baked as the hot air will flow around it and you won’t experience as many cold or hot spots.
While you have to worry about where you place your food in a conventional oven, convection ovens are so powerful that they can easily and evenly heat food that is located anywhere inside. Additionally, these ovens tend to run a little cooler since the heating element doesn’t have to be as hot to heat up the inside of the oven.
This cooler temperature means that your oven will last longer, as it won’t wear itself out heating up your food. Cooking with a convection oven means that your food will cook more evenly and will brown better.
There are a few problems with convection ovens, the main one being that the fan requires a motor to work and if this part fails then your oven won’t work properly. They aren’t as reliable as conventional ovens. Another issue occurs when the fan is the wrong size for the oven.
If the fan isn’t large enough to evenly distribute the hot air then you will run into hot spots. Fans that are too large can cause force heat out of the chamber and make your food cook less efficiently.
Cooking with a convection oven takes a little practice, as the cooking times are often shorter and temperatures will be different than what you are used to with a conventional oven.
Source: Houzz
Microwave Technology
How do microwave ovens work?
Microwaves are produced inside the oven by an electron tube called a magnetron. The microwaves are reflected within the metal interior of the oven where they are absorbed by food. Microwaves cause water molecules in food to vibrate, producing heat that cooks the food.
Other heat technologies used for cooking but usually doesn’t come in the form of an oven but instead small appliances. These additional heat types include:
- Steam (i.e. rice steamer)
- Pressurized steam (i.e. pressure cooker)
- Heated water (boiling, sous vide)
- Oil (frying)
- Smoking
- Charcoal / propane / natural gas.
Oven Types by Size
Double
If you like to host large parties or want to make sure that you can cook two types of food at different temperatures at the same time then you will want to opt for a double oven. These are usually stacked on top of each other to help you save room in your home.
You can choose from double ovens where the two ovens are the same size or buy one that has a second, smaller oven. Make sure when you are buying a double oven that you buy one that has controls that are clearly marked as you do not want to struggle with figuring out which oven you are preheating or changing the temperature.
Additionally, some double ovens come with a convection and a conventional oven, and knowing which is which will ensure that your baking and cooking goes smoothly.
Source: Houzz
Single
This is the most common type of oven that is available and allows the user to cook foods at one temperature. They are great in even smaller kitchens, as they don’t take up as much room as a double oven, and are reliable, with fewer parts to worry about breaking or failing.
Unless you entertain a lot or have a very large family, you will usually be able to get away with having just a single oven in your home and will find that it offers plenty of cooking space for your needs.
Source: Wayfair
Miniature (microwave/convection hybrid)
Many kitchens these days come with a wall-mounted microwave that doubles as a convection oven. We have one and it’s very handy. It’s another oven to cook dishes when putting together a big meal.
Mounting
Wall Mounted Oven
Wall ovens typically offer more cooking space and are easy to get food in and out of. Since you do not have to bend down to use a wall oven, it’s easy for anyone to cook, even if you have problems kneeling or bending. This is especially important and helpful when you are transferring and moving hot food through the kitchen.
Wall ovens do not offer the space for a cooktop, so you will need two dedicated cooking areas in your kitchen. If you have a smaller kitchen then this can take up too much space and make it difficult to locate other appliances and items in your kitchen.
Additionally, wall ovens tend to be more expensive in the long run since you will have to, at some time, buy a cooktop to cook on, as well.
Source: Houzz
Slide-In Oven
If you have a designated spot in your kitchen for an oven then you will need to consider a slide-in oven. These can fit in between other appliances and countertops and, when measured correctly, won’t have any problems fitting into the space.
Source: Wayfair
Drop-In Oven
Depending on the design of your kitchen you may want to buy a drop-in oven. These look great when flush and even with the countertop and the cabinets in your kitchen and can easily create a seamless look that is modern and updated.
Source: Wayfair
Freestanding Oven
Freestanding ovens are popular and easy to find for good reason. They can be located anywhere in the kitchen, are easy to move if you have the correct hook-ups and outlets and are less expensive than wall ovens. They generally have a cooktop on top of the appliance, and this means that you don’t have to find additional space in your kitchen.
Source: Wayfair
Oven Features
While features don’t define an oven, they do distinguish them and are definitely part of the oven-buying process. Here are several oven features to keep in mind when picking out an oven.
Oven Warming Drawer
Keeping items warm before a meal is important and a warming drawer makes it easy to do this. After you have baked an item you can place it into the warming drawer where it will be held at a set temperature. This frees up your oven for baking additional items and allows you to adjust the temperature of the oven, if needed.
Source: Lowes
Oven Storage Drawer
While some people use their warming drawers to store pots, pans, and lids, this is not a good idea. If you want extra storage in your oven then you need to make sure that you buy one that has an actual storage drawer.
This drawer will be better protected from the heat of the oven and you won’t have to worry about the items that you have in storage being heated to high temperatures.
While you do want to be cautious about what you place in a storage drawer as it still will be near the heat of the oven, this is a great way to keep pots and pans close to where you will be using them.
Source: Houzz
Self-Cleaning Oven
Due to the nature of how they’re used, ovens tend to get dirty, especially if you have had a spill or the food is baked onto the floor or walls of the oven. In the past it would take harsh chemicals and a lot of elbow grease to clean dirty ovens, but newer models are self-cleaning.
Self-cleaning ovens have extra insulation so that the oven can safely reach the high temperatures that are needed to self-clean, which also means that they will be able to reach and hold high temperatures reliably when you are baking.
The problem with using the self-cleaning feature on an oven is that it tends to produce a lot of smoke due to burning off the left over food. This smoke can sometimes set off a fire alarm or cause eye irritation.
Source: Wayfair
Proof Mode
If you love to bake bread then you know how important it is to allow it to proof before baking it and how difficult it can be to get your bread to sufficiently proof if it is really cold in your kitchen.
A dedicated proofing drawer ensures that the correct temperature is maintained while the yeast rises during the proofing process.
Source: Lowes
Multiple-Cooking Functions
If you want a lot of options and control over your oven, you will want to look for one that offers multiple-cooking functions. In addition to regular baking, many ovens offer features such as defrosting mode, fast cooking, delicate cooking, “top” oven and grilling.
What you decide to use is up to you, but if you opt for an oven with all of these cooking functions then the best way to get the most for your money is to spend some time learning about these functions and seeing how they can help to improve your cooking.
Source: Amazon
Wi-Fi Oven
If controlling your oven from your phone sounds appealing to you then you will want to look for an oven that has integrated Wi-Fi technology.
This will allow you to control your oven via an app on your phone or on your tablet, allowing you to monitor cooking and also to make adjustments to the temperature or the time remaining on the timer.
Some Wi-Fi apps also enable ovens to respond to voice commands so you can talk to your oven while your hands are dirty or busy and adjust the temperature, turn the oven on and turn it off.
Source: Lowes
Delay Bake
Have fresh cookies ready immediately after dinner or a breakfast casserole hot and ready when you opt for an oven that has a delay bake feature. This will let you set the time and temperature that you want your oven to bake and it will turn on at the preset time.
Source: Lowes
Large Window
Each time that you open the door of your oven you let out a lot of heat which can upset the baking process. To ensure that you can see what’s going on in the oven without opening the door you will want to buy an oven that comes with a large window.
Combined with a strong interior light, this will let you see all areas of the oven so that you can check on your food without opening the door and dropping the temperature.
Source: Houzz
Best Type of Oven for Various Needs
Do you have a favorite dish that you’ve perfected? Have you ever tried to make it in a friend’s oven? Did it turn out right?
Chances are, something was different, and you couldn’t quite put your finger on it.
That’s because there are a few different types of ovens, each with its own strengths and weaknesses for making specific items.
In this article, we’ll go over the four most common types of ovens so that you can make an informed decision about which one is right for you.
What are the different types of ovens available on the market today?
There are four major types of ovens on the market today. These include:
1. Gas Ovens
2. Electric Ovens
3. Microwave Ovens
4. Convection Ovens
Let’s take a closer look at each type of oven.
Gas Ovens:
Gas ovens are one of the most popular types of ovens on the market. They use either natural gas or propane to heat the food inside.
One of the benefits of a gas oven is that they tend to heat up faster than electric ovens. They also provide more even heating, which is ideal for baking.
However, gas ovens can be more expensive to operate than electric ovens. They also require proper ventilation, as the gas can be dangerous if it builds up in an enclosed space.
Electric Ovens:
Electric ovens are the second most popular type of oven on the market. They use electricity to heat coils inside the oven, which then cook the food.
One of the benefits of electric ovens is that they are generally less expensive to operate than gas ovens. They also don’t require ventilation, as there is no gas used in electric ovens.
However, electric ovens can take longer to heat up than gas ovens. They also tend to have hot spots, which can make baking more difficult.
Microwave Ovens:
Microwave ovens are the third most popular type of oven on the market.
One of the benefits of microwave ovens is that they are very fast and can be used to cook food in a matter of minutes. They are also very convenient as they can be used to reheat leftovers or cook frozen food.
However, microwave ovens can’t be used for everything as they can’t evenly distribute heat.
Convection Ovens:
Convection ovens are the fourth and final type of oven on the market. They use a fan to circulate hot air, which cooks the food more evenly.
Another benefit of convection ovens is that they often have a built-in self-cleaning feature.
How do I decide which type of oven is best for my needs?
If you’re looking for an oven that can do everything, a gas or electric oven might be the best choice. If you’re looking for an oven that’s fast and convenient, a microwave oven might be the better option. And if you’re looking for an oven that’s great for baking, a convection oven is the best choice.
Which type of oven is best for baking in general?
The best kind of oven for general baking is a convection oven.
One of the reasons why convection ovens are the best general baking ovens is because they cook food more evenly than other types of ovens. This means that your food will come out more evenly cooked. Convection ovens also have a built-in self-cleaning feature.
Which type of oven is best for baking cakes?
The best kind of oven for baking cakes is a convection oven.
Cakes require precise cooking times and temperatures, so it’s important to have an oven that can cook food evenly. Convection ovens are the best type of oven for this, as they circulate hot air around the cake, ensuring that it cooks evenly.
Which type of oven is best for baking bread?
The best kind of oven for baking bread is a gas oven.
Gas ovens reach high temperatures very quickly, which is ideal for bread. Bread needs to be cooked at a high temperature in order to rise properly, so a gas oven is the best choice.
Which type of oven is best for making pizza?
The best kind of oven for pizzas is either a gas oven or wood-burning stove.
One of the reasons why gas ovens beat out electric is because they heat up faster.
For the absolute best pizza experience you will want to go that extra mile and use a wood-burning pizza oven. They are specifically designed to handle the high temperatures that pizza needs.
Which type of oven is best for baking macaroons?
The best type of oven for baking macaroons is a convection oven.
Macaroons need to be cooked at precise temperatures in order to be crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside. Convection ovens circulate hot air around the food, which helps to cook it more evenly.
The best type of oven for baking cookies is a convection oven.
Cookies need to be baked evenly in order to be crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside. The fan feature in both a gas or electric convection oven will help to circulate the hot air around the cookies.
Which type of oven is best for making chicken?
This question depends on what type of chicken dinner you are making in your oven. If you are making roasted chicken, the best type of oven would be a convection oven. If you are making barbecue chicken, the best type of oven would be a gas oven.
A convection oven is the best for roasted chicken because it cooks the chicken evenly, which will help the chicken retain its moisture. The even distribution means that a properly made chicken will come out crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
For barbecue chicken, you need slightly different conditions. Gas ovens can reach high temperatures quickly, which is ideal for searing the chicken and getting that perfect char. You also want an oven that can maintain a consistent temperature so your chicken doesn’t end up overcooked or burnt.
Which type of oven is best for roasting?
The best type of oven for roasting is a convection oven.
Convection ovens circulate hot air around the food, which helps to cook it evenly. This is especially important when roasting, as you want the meat to be cooked evenly so that it’s juicy and tender.
Which type of oven is best for broiling?
The best kind of oven for broiling is a gas oven.
Gas ovens can reach high temperatures quickly, which is excellent for searing food. Broiling is all about getting that perfect char on the outside of the food, so you want an oven that can reach high temperatures quickly.
Which type of oven is best for grilling?
When it comes to grilling, there are two types of ovens that you can use: a gas oven or an electric oven.
If you’re looking for the best type of oven for grilling, it really depends on your personal preference. Gas ovens will give you a more authentic grilled taste, as they can reach high temperatures quickly. Electric ovens, on the other hand, are more convenient as they’re typically easier to clean.
Which type of oven is best for smoking?
For avid fans of smoked meat and fish, an electric oven is the best type of oven.
Electric ovens can maintain a consistent temperature, which is key for smoking food. You want to be able to control the temperature so that your food doesn’t get overcooked or burnt.
Which type of oven is best for dehydrating?
What about dehydrated fruits?
The best type of oven for dehydrating is a gas oven.
Gas ovens can reach high temperatures quickly, which is ideal for dehydrating fruits. You want to be able to control the temperature so that your food doesn’t get overcooked or burnt.
What is the Best All-Around Oven Choice?
If you’re looking for an oven that can do it all, consider a convection oven.
Convection ovens circulate hot air around the food, which helps to cook it evenly. This is especially important when roasting, as you want the meat to be cooked evenly so that it’s juicy and tender.
Convection ovens also have the ability to reach high temperatures quickly, which is ideal for searing the food. Broiling is all about getting that perfect char on the outside of the food, so you want an oven that can reach high temperatures quickly.
In addition, convection ovens are typically easier to clean than other types of ovens.
Additional Tips for Choosing Your Oven
Now that you know the different types of ovens and what they’re best for, here are a few additional tips to help you choose the perfect oven for your kitchen.
1. Consider your budget.
When it comes to choosing an oven, it’s important to consider your budget. There are a variety of ovens on the market, and they range in price. So, be sure to shop around and find the best oven for your budget.
2. Choose an oven that will fit in your kitchen.
When selecting an oven, be sure to choose one that will fit in your kitchen. Ovens come in a variety of sizes, so it’s important to find one that will fit in the space you have available.
3. Consider the features that are important to you.
When choosing an oven, it’s important to consider the features that are important to you. Do you want an oven with a self-cleaning cycle? Do you want an oven that has a delay start feature? Be sure to consider the features that are important to you before making your final decision.
4. Read reviews before purchasing an oven.
When you’re ready to purchase an oven, be sure to read reviews before making your final decision. Read reviews from both experts and consumers to get a well-rounded perspective on the ovens you’re considering.
5. Ask family and friends for recommendations.
If you’re still not sure which oven to purchase, ask family and friends for recommendations. Chances are, someone you know has purchased an oven recently and can give you their opinion on the one they chose.
With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to find the perfect oven.
Where to buy ovens
Fortunately, there are many places you can buy an oven. You can shop locally. We have a couple of great regional appliance stores. You can also shop for ovens online at the following stores:
- Home Depot
- Lowes
- Wayfair
- Amazon
Top 10 brands of Ovens
1. GE Appliances
Source: GEAppliances
GE Appliances, founded in New York in 1905, now operates from headquarters in Louisville, KY. GE Appliances was owned by the conglomerate General Electric until 2016. Haier now has the right to use the brand name for the next several decades.
GE Appliances has maintained a long-honored history of innovation in cooking, having created the first oven that self-cleans and the first to use Wi-Fi. The GE brand includes several models, including GE, GE Profile, Monogram and Café.
2. LG
Source: LG
LG (Life’s Good) is a large conglomerate that was founded in the late 1940s. Headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, LG offers a variety of multi-functional ovens and ranges to meet most home and commercial-cooking needs.
LG’s cutting-edge technology includes Wi-Fi-enabled features and easy-to-clean glass. These ovens from LG are available in gas or electric slide-in versions and come in a variety of styles and sizes, including a pro-bake convection version.
3. Electrolux
Source: Electrolux
Electrolux, a Swedish-based appliance manufacturer founded more than a century ago, sells a variety of appliances for consumer use.
Employing 50,000 workers across the globe, Electrolux sells more than 60 million household-type products annually. They offer wall ovens (single and double) as well as a variety of range/stove combinations and microwaves, at various price points.
4. Frigidaire
Source: Frigidaire
Frigidaire Appliance Company was first known as the Guardian Frigerator Company. It is now a subsidiary of Electrolux – the multinational company located in Stockholm, Sweden.
Maker of the first self-contained refrigerator, Frigidaire, for many decades, was the name used to describe the device even if it was made by another company. Today, Frigidaire manufactures single and double wall ovens (some with microwaves), as well as a large variety of styles and sizes of slide-in range/oven models.
5. Jenn-Air
Source: JennAir
Founded in the 1940s in Indianapolis, Jenn-Air is now (as of 2006) a subsidiary of Whirlpool Corporation, with headquarters in Benton Harbor, MI. The oven maker holds the distinction of creating the first self-ventilated downdraft range.
Jenn-Air offers cutting-edge technology with its versatile oven options — from slide-ins to double wall-mounted with a microwave, among others. The ovens are available in a variety of sizes, some with cinematic lighting and multi-modal convection systems, plus speed cook options and an LCD display.
6. Whirlpool Corporation
Source: Whirlpool
Whirlpool Corporation is a publicly-traded company founded in 1911 in Michigan. Their 2021 revenue neared $22 billion generated by 69,000 employees worldwide. The company maintains nine manufacturing plants throughout the U.S.
Whirlpool partnered with NASA in the 1960s, and again in 2021, when they developed a refrigerator that works in zero-gravity. The company offers everything from double wall ovens to smart electric or gas freestanding ovens.
7. Miele
Source: Mieleusa
Miele is a German manufacturing company specializing in higher-end residential and commercial appliances. Founded in 1899, Miele’s first products were a butter churn and a tub washer.
Miele offers modern-designed speed or convection ovens in a variety of styles and sizes, many of which are Wi-Fi enabled with wireless precision probes. Their appliances can be pricey but are stylish and built to last.
8. Kitchen Aid
Source: Kitchen Aid
Kitchen Aid, founded in 1919 as The Hobart Manufacturing Company, is now a subsidiary of Whirlpool Corporation. Kitchen Aid manufacturers various ovens, from freestanding (with a built-in backsplash) to slide-in and wall-mounted, among others.
Many of the ovens are offered in multiple colors (like black stainless steel), sizes, and with either gas or electric versions.
9. Viking Range Corporation
Source: Viking Range Corporation
Viking Range Corporation, a Middleby Corporation subsidiary, was originally an appliance maker in the professional cooking segment. Viking Range Corporation, founded in 1987, is headquartered in Greenwood on the Mississippi Delta.
The company offers a variety of cooking and refrigeration products for residential and commercial use that is among the finest in the industry.
10. Bosch (Robert Bosch GmbH)
Source: Bosch
Bosch, a home appliance manufacturer founded in 1886, began as a workshop that taught precision electrical and mechanical engineering in Stuttgart, Germany.
The new Bosch Series 8 accent line sensor oven comes with artificial intelligence (AI) built in — the sensors measure data such as inside temperatures, humidity and heat or air circulation to assist with the cooking process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Broil in Oven?
The ‘broil’ setting in your oven is meant for cooking delicate foods or searing the top of cooked foods to brown and crisp them. It utilizes top-down heat of the upper heating element in your oven to heat the food within the temperature range of 500 and 550° F.
It’s important to note that broiling differs from baking because it uses intense downward heat to cook delicate foods. Baking, on the other hand, uses the heating elements on the top and the bottom of the oven to heat the air inside the oven to cook foods at low temperatures (between 200 to 375° F).
Broiling is ideal for thinner foods that don’t need a high internal temperature like:
- Thin cuts of meat like chicken, steak, and salmon
- Quick-cooking vegetables like peppers, zucchini, and asparagus
- Cheesy dishes that need brown, crunchy layers like macaroni and cheese, etc
Why Is It Called an Oven?
An oven is called oven because the word originates from ‘ofen’, a hollowed-out hot cooking chamber used in the 12th century.
Back then, an oven (ofen in old English) referred to a controlled cooking chamber made from clay that could be used to replace the open hearth/ open fire due to its cooking efficiency.
More specifically, the clay pots would be heated up using little firewood, and then the fire remains removed when the oven became red hot. The residual heat could then be used to bake bread and cook meat more evenly with the ‘ofen’ door closed.
Though it remains unclear how the word ‘oven’ came to be, It is believed that the innovators of the modern-day ovens borrowed the idea from the conventional clay ofens and branded it the dutch name oven.
What Is The Drawer Under The Oven For?
In most gas ovens, the drawer below the oven acts as a broiler. You can conclude that the drawer is meant for broiling if it features built-in racks for holding the broiler pan. You may also find the broiler pan included in some gas ovens too. Another way to confirm that the drawer is for broiling is to look for the broiler knob on the control panel.
In electric ovens, the drawer under the oven maintains the warmth of the cooked foods. The electric ovens feature a special warming element beneath the drawer, which is essential for keeping the food warm as you prepare other meals. You can tell that drawer is designated for warming if the oven features a ‘warming Drawer’ knob in the control panel.
If your oven features neither the broiler nor the ‘warming drawer knobs, then the drawer is probably a compartment for storing items like muffin tins, pans, pots, and baking sheets.
What Is Air Fryer Oven?
An air fryer oven is a type of convection oven designed to mimic deep frying without the need to submerge food in oil.
It utilizes a convection system to circulate hot air throughout your oven at high speed to create delicious and evenly-cooked food.
The air fryer oven works well when baking on a single rack and works within 170°F and 550°F.
The other functions you can perform with an air fryer oven include broiling, toasting, dehydrating, and rotisserie cooking, among others.
What Is the Difference Between a Convection and Conventional Oven?
The convection oven cooks by rotating hot air consistently to all corners of the oven, relieving you from the burden of turning the cooking fan from one rack to another like the case with a conventional oven.
On the other hand, a conventional oven features fixed heating elements, and the dish placed on the rack next to the active heating element cooks the fastest.
The other differences between the convection and conventional ovens can are noted in the following aspects:
Heat Distribution: A convection fan distributes an equal amount of hot air to all corners of the oven, heating the food evenly. On the other hand, the conventional oven uses a single heating element, meaning that you have to cook one side of the food at a time. This increases the chances of uneven cooking.
Energy Efficiency: A convection oven heats food from all sides, meaning that the food takes a shorter time to cook than the case with traditional ovens.
Why Is It Called Dutch Oven?
The name dutch oven was first introduced by English industrialist — Abraham darby. More specifically, Derby discovered a cast iron pot in the Netherlands for cooking. He named the pot the Dutch Oven to pay homage to the Dutch.
Later, oven manufacturers started use the name of their appliances, Dutch oven, to pay tribute to Darby’s original work.
Who Invented the Microwave Oven?
Percy Spencer, an American engineer, is credited with the invention of the microwave oven after World War II.
Percy realized that microwaves from a live radar set he was operating could melt a chocolate bar in his pocket.
To verify his new finding, he developed a high-density electromagnetic field by generating the microwave energy from a magnetron and sending it into a metal box, where it couldn’t escape. He then used this metal box to heat foods.
His first invention was submitted for testing at a Boston restaurant in 1945. And by 1947, spencer had already released the first commercial microwave, patented under his employer, Raytheon.
How Long Do Ovens Last?
According to the American Home Shield Corporation, an electric oven will last for approximately 13 years, while a gas oven will last for an average of 15 years, depending on your frequency of use and maintenance.
How Are Ovens Measured?
Measure the oven from the bottom to the top to obtain the height (exclude the backsplash height, if any).
Measure the oven from the front to back to get the depth (excluding handles and other attachments).
Measure the distance between the edges of the microwave to get the width.
Multiply the three resulting measurements (Depth x Width x Height) to get the size of your oven.
How Heavy Is an Oven?
The weight of your oven depends on the type and its construction materials. According to applianceanalyst.com, some ovens may weigh below 100 pounds, while others can go up to 500 pounds. So, you need to consider various oven types to pick the one that meets your preferences, including mobility preferences.
