An oven in the kitchen is one of the important tools in conducting many culinary experiments. However, the modern range of household appliances often leads to confusion when you want to choose one thing. Everything becomes especially difficult when you need a built-in electric oven. It is important to know how to make the right choice, as well as what technical characteristics and functions this or that type of equipment is characterized by.
Features
The built-in electric oven is an excellent assistant to the housewife in the kitchen, so it is so important to know how to choose it correctly. As the first and important parameter, we can name the following: such devices are more powerful and functional in comparison with freestanding, as well as their internal dimensions. Of course, the cost of embedded models is an order of magnitude higher, but in the end they justify themselves. Most eminent manufacturers completely abandoned the release of freestanding models. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase this option only in cases where it is not possible to install a built-in oven or there are financial restrictions.
Power
This indicator is very important when choosing, since the efficiency and convenience of working with the device in the future depends on it. An electric built-in oven can be characterized by a power of 2-4 kilowatts, which is enough for most consumers. This indicator has a direct effect on the maximum temperature at which food will be cooked. The coolest models, with a capacity of 35 kilowatts and more, are, for example, Bosch HBG 76R560F, Pyramida F 120. The maximum temperature in them is 500 degrees Celsius. However, this fits the category of interesting opportunities, and not advantages, since cooking requires temperatures of no more than 220 degrees. Therefore, in the absence of the need to work in high temperatures, it is enough to have a model with a capacity of 2.503 kilowatts, issuing up to 250 degrees.
Chamber volume
A built-in electric oven, the price of which is from $ 350 and above, usually has a volume of more than 50 liters, which is considered normal for solving tasks, that is, cooking at home. However, there is a technique characterized by smaller dimensions, that is, 20-30 liters. The acquisition of such options is appropriate in the case where it is not possible to install the device with full dimensions. For comparison, it can be noted that freestanding ovens are characterized by a volume of not more than 30 liters.
The standard for ordinary cabinets is the parameters 60x60x55 cm. At the moment there are electric built-in ovens 45 cm, which are focused on the use of furniture in a special configuration. Today, models equipped with two independent cameras are also offered, but their width reaches 100 cm. The cost of such equipment can hardly be called average, so it should not be considered very carefully. The right option is to choose a model with standard dimensions, since most manufacturers produce them, which guarantees affordable prices.
Cleaning method
At the moment, there are ovens that can be cleaned using one of the methods: traditional, pyrolysis or catalytic. Each of them should be considered in more detail. The essence of the traditional method is that the inner walls of the oven are covered with special enamel. It turns out that to clean the internal surfaces you need to arm yourself with detergent and sponges and begin the complex washing process.
The catalytic method assumes that the inner walls of the oven are coated with a special enamel with pores that contribute to the decomposition of fat and its removal directly during cooking. If you liked just such an electric built-in oven, the instruction will contain information about this. However, most often in reality everything is not so rosy, so you will need to arm yourself again with a rag with detergent in order to deal with the remnants of pollution.
The pyrolysis method is considered the most effective and progressive. Built-in electric ovens (45 cm wide) with a similar function - this saves you time and effort. The essence of the method is as follows: when you turn on the appropriate mode, the device’s chamber heats up to 600 degrees Celsius for a short period of time, which is enough for the fat accumulated on the walls to burn. Then you just have to open the door, allow the walls to cool, and then remove the ashes with a rag. The equipment equipped with the possibility of pyrolysis treatment has only one significant drawback - it is much more expensive than conventional devices. There are several oven models with this function that are the most popular: Electrolux EOB 53410 AX, Bosch HBA 23B263E, Gorenje BO75SY2B. There are also more affordable ones: Electrolux EOC 3430 COX, Beko OIE 25500 X, Bosch HBA 63B265F, Siemens HB 63AS521.
Equipment and functionality
Modern built-in electric stoves and ovens are characterized by rather rich functionality, including the presence of a timer and convection. It is worth telling about the latter. In fact, convection is ensured by the presence of a fan in the oven chamber, which drives air and provides faster and more uniform cooking. Some models use double convection, but it does not provide any special advantages over simpler options. The grill function is another modern option that 99% of modern ovens have. It is with its help that you can get that very golden crust on food that many people like so much.
Skewer is an option that only some models can boast of. If you are a lover of grilled chicken cooked on a skewer, then you should look for such a device. You can name a few good options with this opportunity: Electrolux EOC 5951 AOX, Hotpoint-Ariston FH 1039 P IX.
New additions
Manufacturers do not stop there, so in some models you can find features such as a double boiler, microwave mode, extendable trolley, thermal probe, as well as other, even more exotic ones. Very often, people succumb to temptation and acquire the most sophisticated devices equipped with a mass of additional modes, and as a result they use only those functions that can be found in the cheapest options. And here you can give very valuable advice: try to decide before the final choice which of all this will really come in handy. It makes no sense to overpay for the presence of pizza stones or a double boiler, which you will never use.
Types of management
In this case, we can talk about the presence of a certain trend - the higher the cost of equipment, the more its control is more electrified. It turns out that if you have a device worth $ 300-400, then in 9 cases out of 10 it will be equipped with mechanical control knobs. Such electric built-in ovens - Ariston or another brand - do not have a display, and the indicators used in them are only mechanical. For an electronic screen to appear on the device, you will need to throw another 100-200 dollars. There are models whose cost exceeds 700-800 dollars, they have not only a large functional display, but also touch controls.
Manufacturers
If we talk about which company should be the oven, then the situation is similar to the choice of any other household appliances. The most high-quality models are recognized by Swedish, Austrian and German manufacturers, which are assembled directly at home. Most often referring to Bosch, Electrolux, Siemens. It is worth fearing little-known manufacturers, for example, DEX, Mirta, Saturn, Ariete, Vimar. There are representatives of the middle price category, which include Hotpoint-Ariston, Gorenje, Beko, Zanussi.
Security
There are certain safety rules that must be followed by an electric built-in oven. Testimonials about a particular model can demonstrate the features that users had to face. But there is a list of generally accepted precautions:
- Do not allow children to be near the oven and contact the control panel in the absence of adults;
- in the cold season, the oven should not be used as a heating device;
- before turning on the device, any excess objects should be removed from it;
- after each use of the device, all stains and splashes that have appeared on the internal panels should be wiped, and it is also necessary to constantly monitor the cleanliness of the racks and trays, periodically wash the device from the outside, especially if there is a touch control panel .
Some models have an automatic shutdown function that is activated in case of excessive use of the device or during overheating. The electric built-in oven "Bosch" is equipped with a self-locking system, which can be activated by pressing a special button, which will prevent children from opening the door while the appliance is in operation or putting the controls in action.
conclusions
As you can see, there are several simple recommendations for choosing a device so much needed in the kitchen. It doesn’t matter what you choose in the end - built-in electric ovens of 45 cm or standard size models, the main thing is that the appliance serves you for many years. Choosing the right equipment, you can count on the convenience of cooking for the whole family. With a new oven, you can safely master baking recipes that previously frightened you due to a mismatch with the capabilities of your existing device.