One of the most crucial elements of today’s contemporary kitchen is the oven. However, there are many different types of ovens in India. And it can be really difficult to choose the best amongst the many available in the market.
To know what would be the best pick for you, choose the item based on a number of factors like heat sources, types of installations, size as well as functionality. This article deals with all the different types of ovens available in the market to help you find the perfect one for your kitchen!
Types Of Oven: Choosing The Right One
Here are some of the most frequent characteristics to look for before you zero down on the best oven for your kitchen:
- Auto cook menu (preset power wattage and cooking time for beginners for some common recipes)
- Available accessories (microwave-safe bowls, vessels, and other utensils)
- Child lock (for the safety of your child)
- Defrosting (if you’re a frozen food fan, this is a MUST)
- Power consumption (saves your electricity bills)
- Preheat
- Timer display (knob or LCD display)
- Type of panel (feather touch, mechanical panel, and tactile panel)
Here are the types of ovens in India that are a staple in most kitchens. For convenience, these 20 ovens have been categorized into various categories. Let’s take a look!
Choosing the Perfect Oven for Your Kitchen
These considerations will help ensure that your choice aligns with your needs and preferences:
- Price Range: Ovens are available across a wide price spectrum. Double and combination ovens, as well as those equipped with convection cooking features, typically come with a higher price tag. If you’re considering range ovens, keep in mind that gas and slide-in models tend to be on the more expensive side.
- Cooking Preferences: Think about your predominant cooking style. For those who frequently prepare pastries, casseroles, or multiple dishes simultaneously, convection ovens offer an excellent choice. They provide even cooking results and versatile baking options. If you often host large gatherings and prepare multiple dishes at once, double ovens with increased capacity can be highly beneficial. Additionally, if you prefer hassle-free cleaning or have a tendency to make messes while cooking, consider an oven with a self-cleaning cycle or an electric range featuring a smooth, easy-to-clean cooktop.
- Power Connections: The existing power setup in your kitchen is a significant factor. Most kitchens are already equipped with electric ovens, requiring only a standard electrical outlet. However, if you’re considering a gas oven, you’ll need a dedicated gas line, which may entail an additional installation cost if not already in place. Another option to explore is dual fuel ranges, which combine an electric oven with a gas cooktop, providing flexibility in your cooking choices.
Here are the types of ovens in India that are a staple in most kitchens. For convenience, these 20 ovens have been categorized into various categories. Let’s take a look!
General Types Of Ovens
1. Convection Oven
Convection ovens prepare food in a unique way. A fan at the back circulates air all through the oven, ensuring that food is cooked uniformly. This also leads to faster heating and is supposed to use less energy. In comparison to a standard oven, the cooking time will be longer.
2. Conventional Oven
For cooking, traditional ovens use an electric element or a gas burner. Heat flows up and brings cold air down in this sort of oven, resulting in unbalanced cooking or baking. This style of the oven, on the other hand, is fairly widespread and generally comes built-in or as part of your kitchen essentials.
Types Of Ovens Based On Heat Energy Sources
3. Electric Oven
Households frequently utilize an electric oven. It is practical, inexpensive, and simple to use. Homeowners will not be burdened by hefty electricity expenses if they use an electric oven. Since this creates dry heat, it’s ideal for roasting.
4. Gas Oven
The gas oven is the most common and appropriate type of oven for baking. The gas oven provides “wet” heat that prevents foods from drying out. Even though it costs a bit more compared to other types of ovens, it is quicker and easier to clean.
5. Microwave Ovens
These are the ‘ovens’ that the majority of you have. They’re most commonly used for heating and defrosting, and they work by using radio waves. There are certain microwave-oven-specific recipes that are ideal for baking in a microwave. If you try to cook a regular recipe in the microwave, it may not turn out properly, so don’t do it.
6. Microwave cum Convection Ovens
These are the most in-trend type of oven nowadays – not only because it’s easy to use but because it is one of the best types of ovens for baking!
It’s a microwave oven with a convection oven option, which means that by turning a knob, your microwave transforms into a regular oven (convection type) and you can bake your cakes, cookies, and other baked goods, as usual, using the same recipes. Many of these ovens also have a grilling function, which you may utilize as well.
7. Steam Oven
After people adopted slow cooking, the steam oven rose in popularity. A water container and boiler area are used in the steam oven to produce heated steam, which cooks the food. Using steam ovens has two advantages: it doesn’t let the food dry up and at the same time requires you to use less oil.
This oven, on the other hand, is generally rather costly.
8. Traditional Oven
The term “traditional oven” refers to the stone or brick ovens seen in pizza parlors. These ovens are generally huge and run on wood heat. They aren’t the most practical to keep around the house, but they are ideal for making a crispy pizza or wonderful bread.
Types Of Ovens Based On Size
9. Single Oven
Range ovens provide the best of both worlds, combining a cooktop and an oven in a single appliance. They are particularly ideal for compact kitchens that lack space for two separate devices. Most ranges are available in three main configurations:
- Freestanding Ranges: These models include a built-in backsplash that typically houses the display and some temperature controls. Freestanding ranges offer versatility as they can be installed as stand-alone appliances or seamlessly integrated between cabinets, accommodating various kitchen layouts.
- Slide-In Ranges: Slide-in ranges are designed as built-in appliances, delivering a polished and integrated appearance. This design not only enhances aesthetics but also helps maintain cleanliness by preventing debris from accumulating between the appliance and surrounding cabinets.
- Double Oven Ranges: Ranges equipped with double ovens feature two separate oven spaces, enabling you to simultaneously prepare multiple dishes at different temperatures. This feature adds convenience and efficiency to your cooking endeavours.
10. Double Oven
If you find yourself constrained by countertop space or prefer the simplicity of a single appliance that can multitask, you might consider an oven equipped with cooking features such as air frying. These choices can handle the fundamental tasks of a conventional oven while also incorporating the capabilities of appliances like an air fryer.
Air frying is a technique that delivers the satisfying crispiness of deep-fried foods without the need for excessive cooking oil. Ovens with air frying functions use a circulation of hot air to achieve the desired fried texture, offering the benefit of lighter, less greasy fried foods, making it hassle-free to clean up after using a deep fryer.
11. Triple Oven
Looking for the best types of oven for baking or roasting a chicken? The triple oven can be your go-to oven.
Although not a very popular choice, Samsung introduced the first “three ovens,” in 2016. It was essentially a double oven with one of the chambers cleverly partitioned. The two areas at the top will be used to prepare two “flat” meals, leaving room at the bottom to roast a full chicken or bake a cake.
Types Of Ovens Based On Installation
12. Drop-in Oven
Lifting and lowering a drop-in oven into a custom-built cabinet is how it’s done. It requires more effort to set up than the slide-in model. However, the end effect is a seamless, integrated design that elevates the kitchen.
13. Freestanding Oven
Based on the installation, a freestanding oven is a common contemporary oven design. This kind offers the most alternatives on the market. It’s also the most affordable, simple to install, and adaptable to practically any kitchen design.
14. Slide-in Oven
A slide-in oven is created by sliding an oven into a cabinet that has been designed expressly for it. It is more costly than freestanding furniture, but not as much as wall-mounted furniture. The space between the oven and the cabinet, which allows crumbs to fall in, is reduced with a slide-in oven.
15. Wall-mounted Oven
In a tiny kitchen, a wall-mounted oven is generally placed. It’s also suitable for a small kitchen with limited floor space. A wall-mounted oven, on the other hand, is one of the most expensive versions in terms of installation.
Types Of Ovens Based On Features
16. Multifunction Oven
The cooking functions of a multifunction oven let you achieve the finest results for various cuisines and is one of the best types of ovens for baking. Some ovens, for instance, include grilling, fast-cooking, slow-cooking, and defrosting capabilities. There’s also a bread-making oven with a function that allows you to prove dough until it’s ready to bake.
17. Oven Toaster Grill (OTG) Oven
For heating and cooking, these rely on old-fashioned filament coils (much like a geyser). Although they are excellent for toasting and grilling, they do not bake as great as conventional ovens.
18. Oven with Delay Feature
This oven includes an automated baking/roasting control that allows you to set a timer for cooking, which is ideal if you want to reheat food. It may also turn itself off after the cooking level has been reached. If you frequently lose track of time or are too preoccupied to pay attention, the oven is ideal.
19. Oven with Wi-Fi
Can we actually think of a smart home without a smart kitchen? Impossible!
As we all know, Wi-Fi built-in is a characteristic that many smart home equipment currently have. Cooking-related operations are commonly connected to the built-in Wi-Fi. You may operate the oven function from another room. For example, if you are busy around the home but still need to bake anything, the oven with Wi-Fi has got your back!
20. Self-cleaning Oven
Self-cleaning ovens assist to decrease residues and avoid accumulation, making manual cleaning more challenging. This oven also has additional insulation that aids in the cleaning process. However, before using the cleaning feature, ensure there are no leftovers or huge crumbs. They will be burnt, resulting in smoke.
21. Single Ovens
The most frequent choice for families is a single oven. For the average cooking frequency of a small household, a basic oven is sufficient. The oven may be purchased separately or installed beneath a stove.
22. Double Ovens
For large families or people who party frequently at home, a double oven is offered. The double oven allows you to prepare two items at the same time, saving you a lot of time. Convection and conduction ovens are both available for double ovens. Regardless of the choice you choose, make sure the temperature controls are simple to use so you can utilize both spaces without becoming confused.
The Bottom Line
It all depends on what you want to accomplish with your oven: do you want to reheat meals or try your hands at baking? The purpose of getting an oven will help you decide which type of oven will be best suited for you!
