How to choose an oven

Selection criteria for choosing an oven

Oven dimensions and capacity

The dimensions of a conventional oven run from a small microwave-sized model (18 in., 45 cm) to a family-size model of 23.5 in. (60 cm), but if you cook a lot and cook different dishes at the same time, a 35.5 in. (90 cm) size would be a good solution if your kitchen can handle it.

Type of oven

As with the oven of a range, you have the choice between an easily connected electric oven model or a gas oven. Gas-fired cooking dries food less but installation is more complicated if your home is not already set up for gas.

Once you’ve made this first choice, several types of ovens are available, one of the most common being the natural convection model with several cooking modes. However, its preheating time is longer than for other types.

Next, you'll find the multifunction oven, found in many Quebec kitchens thanks to its affordable price and more even cooking. It offers different types of heat, such as fan-assisted and fan-forced.

Fan-assisted heat has more ventilation than natural convection, which allows for better air dispersion and therefore multi-level cooking. Fan-forced heat is created by an additional resistor on the fan side that raises the oven temperature faster and also bakes at multiple levels, while remaining more economical.

You can opt for the steam oven which preserves the nutrients in your food better but is not suitable for roasting or traditional cooking. Some oven models also include grill, au gratin or quick sear functions.

Type of door

Now it's time to decide which of the four available doors you prefer for your brand new oven:

Hinged door that opens from top to bottom as in most homes;
Foldable or retractable door that opens in the same way as the hinged door, but can be retracted under the oven for better access;
Side door, which opens to the right or left, as desired;
Drawer door, which slides the rack out, so you don’t have to reach into the heat of the oven.

Oven cleaning mode

No matter how hard we try to avoid spills and messes, they seem inevitable, don't they? Your oven’s cleaning method therefore plays a big role in your selection process.

Almost all ovens have a self-cleaning mode, but there are three different cleaning modes: pyrolysis, catalysis and hydrolysis.

Pyrolysis causes a rise in temperature that eliminates everything in the oven through carbonization, so it can be swept away at the end of the cycle.

Catalysis or EcoClean is activated automatically during cooking. It involves the destruction of grease by the enamel or the ceramic of the walls, but splashes other than grease are not absorbed, so an occasional manual cleaning is necessary. Note that catalysis becomes less efficient over time.

Hydrolysis softens the grease stuck to your oven’s walls with a steam bath. You can then easily wipe it off by hand.

Internal layout of the oven

The layout of an oven remains fairly traditional, with a large interior whose volume varies according to the size. If you like to cook multiple dishes at once, you may appreciate models with dual cavities or dividers for separate temperature control.

Colour and finish

As with all appliances, the colour and matte or glossy finish will depend on your environment and the look you want in your kitchen. The main colours are grey, black and stainless steel.

Energy consumption

When it comes to energy consumption, look for the Energy Star® logo on ovens to ensure they are energy efficient and will save you money. The differences in energy consumption between oven types are minimal, but be aware that pyrolysis consumes more energy than catalysis.

Other interesting features

In addition to the elements mentioned above, some features have been added to the appliances to make them more practical and attractive. For example, some doors close more smoothly thanks to a built-in retarder, and others stay cooler thanks to technology that prevents burns, especially for curious children.

Some ovens have rails so you can easily pull out the racks rather than putting your hands into the oven. Wi-Fi capabilities also connect your oven to your phone so you can receive a notification that cooking has ended, turn off the oven remotely or preheat it even if you're not home yet. A built-in temperature sensor also evaluates your meat to ensure the best results!

To start shopping for an oven, consult our specialized page or come and meet one of our advisers in store.

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