Professional advice from:
Matt Hall of Clover Kitchens
Neil Pooley of Miele
Clinton Patey of In-toto Kitchens Bristol
bulthaup by Kitchen Architecture
What are built-in and built-under ovens?
A built-in oven is integrated into your kitchen cabinets, generally at eye level, which is a convenient height for getting hot dishes in and out.
A built-under oven is similar, but installed under the kitchen worktop, and it also typically will have a hob fitted on top, although it doesn’t have to.
Both single ovens (one cavity) and double ovens (two cavities) are available as built-in or built-under, and this guide will cover all four variations.
Pros
Choice is what sets these ovens apart from freestanding or range cookers: choice of cooking methods, choice of price points and the freedom to position the oven at a convenient height for you. But how to discover which features to choose for your built-in or built-under oven? Read on…
Let the experts help you decide whether a range cooker is more your thing
A built-in oven is integrated into your kitchen cabinets, generally at eye level, which is a convenient height for getting hot dishes in and out.
A built-under oven is similar, but installed under the kitchen worktop, and it also typically will have a hob fitted on top, although it doesn’t have to.
Both single ovens (one cavity) and double ovens (two cavities) are available as built-in or built-under, and this guide will cover all four variations.
Pros
Choice is what sets these ovens apart from freestanding or range cookers: choice of cooking methods, choice of price points and the freedom to position the oven at a convenient height for you. But how to discover which features to choose for your built-in or built-under oven? Read on…
Let the experts help you decide whether a range cooker is more your thing
Martyn Clarke Architecture
Conventional cooking
A conventional oven has two static heating elements, either in the roof and floor of the oven or in the walls on either side. Conventional ovens take time to reach their cooking temperature, so always remember to pre-heat. And having reached the desired temperature, remember that the cavity in a conventional oven is hotter at the top than it is at the bottom because hot air rises.
Pros
Although this is the most basic form of oven, there are advantages. ‘When batch baking, a conventional oven with roof and floor elements is better than a fan oven,’ says Matt Hall of Clover Kitchens. ‘If you are baking three trays of biscuits, for example, then a decent conventional oven will provide an even temperature across a shelf, so there will be no need to turn the trays around to ensure all of the biscuits are cooked at the same time.’
You may, however, need to swap the top tray with the bottom tray halfway through the cooking process, because of the temperature difference between the top and bottom of the oven.
A conventional oven has two static heating elements, either in the roof and floor of the oven or in the walls on either side. Conventional ovens take time to reach their cooking temperature, so always remember to pre-heat. And having reached the desired temperature, remember that the cavity in a conventional oven is hotter at the top than it is at the bottom because hot air rises.
Pros
Although this is the most basic form of oven, there are advantages. ‘When batch baking, a conventional oven with roof and floor elements is better than a fan oven,’ says Matt Hall of Clover Kitchens. ‘If you are baking three trays of biscuits, for example, then a decent conventional oven will provide an even temperature across a shelf, so there will be no need to turn the trays around to ensure all of the biscuits are cooked at the same time.’
You may, however, need to swap the top tray with the bottom tray halfway through the cooking process, because of the temperature difference between the top and bottom of the oven.
Mitchell Berry Architects
Fan ovens
Unlike a conventional oven, a fan oven does not have heating elements in the side walls or roof and base. Instead, it features a fan, generally seen behind a perforated wall at the back of the oven. ‘What you don’t see,’ explains Matt, ‘is a circular heating element wrapped around the fan. What happens is the fan draws air in through the perforations, then pushes it over the heating element and out through ducts around the side of the rear wall.’ This creates an even heat throughout the oven cavity.
Pros
Fan ovens heat up faster than conventional ovens, therefore saving time and energy. What’s more, fan ovens allow you to cook sweet and savoury foods at the same time without their flavours intermingling. ‘This is because the heating element burns off airborne flavours as they pass over it,’ says Matt.
Unlike a conventional oven, a fan oven does not have heating elements in the side walls or roof and base. Instead, it features a fan, generally seen behind a perforated wall at the back of the oven. ‘What you don’t see,’ explains Matt, ‘is a circular heating element wrapped around the fan. What happens is the fan draws air in through the perforations, then pushes it over the heating element and out through ducts around the side of the rear wall.’ This creates an even heat throughout the oven cavity.
Pros
Fan ovens heat up faster than conventional ovens, therefore saving time and energy. What’s more, fan ovens allow you to cook sweet and savoury foods at the same time without their flavours intermingling. ‘This is because the heating element burns off airborne flavours as they pass over it,’ says Matt.
Morph Interior Ltd
Multiple functions
Multi-functional ovens offer a flexible approach that allows you to select the best function for the food you are cooking. ‘It will do conventional and fan cooking, but often has many other functions as well,’ says Matt. ‘In essence, it will have a fan at the back with a circular element, conventional elements in the roof and base of the oven, and an open grill element at the top of the cavity.’ Additional functions may include bottom heat only – perfect for crisping pizza bases and pastry cases – or top heat only that’s ideal for browning.
‘Another popular function is fan grilling,’ continues Matt. ‘This allows you to grill sausages, bacon and fish without the need to turn the food over, and also minimises splattering, as you grill with the door closed.’
Pros
If your kitchen is on the small side, you can reduce the amount of space taken up by appliances with a multi-functional oven featuring an additional steam or microwave function. While the microwave setting is great for warming up meals instantly, steam is one of the healthiest ways of cooking, because food retains more flavour and texture, as well as the nutrients and vitamins lost during boiling or microwaving.
Multi-functional ovens offer a flexible approach that allows you to select the best function for the food you are cooking. ‘It will do conventional and fan cooking, but often has many other functions as well,’ says Matt. ‘In essence, it will have a fan at the back with a circular element, conventional elements in the roof and base of the oven, and an open grill element at the top of the cavity.’ Additional functions may include bottom heat only – perfect for crisping pizza bases and pastry cases – or top heat only that’s ideal for browning.
‘Another popular function is fan grilling,’ continues Matt. ‘This allows you to grill sausages, bacon and fish without the need to turn the food over, and also minimises splattering, as you grill with the door closed.’
Pros
If your kitchen is on the small side, you can reduce the amount of space taken up by appliances with a multi-functional oven featuring an additional steam or microwave function. While the microwave setting is great for warming up meals instantly, steam is one of the healthiest ways of cooking, because food retains more flavour and texture, as well as the nutrients and vitamins lost during boiling or microwaving.
TLA Studio
Cooking with steam
Having now read about the health and taste benefits of steam cooking, you may be considering a dedicated steam oven. These tend to have a smaller cavity than conventional ovens – about 29 litres – and will either need to be plumbed in or have their own water tank, which simply needs refilling when necessary. Tanks vary in size up to 1.5 litres, so check dimensions before you buy. The larger the tank, the less likely it will be that you’ll have to refill it while cooking.
Pros
While electric ovens produce a dry heat, which is why we use fats and oils to keep food moist, a steam oven solves the problem by cooking with hot, pressurised steam, making meals more succulent, not to mention healthy, as it locks in nutrients and vitamins.
Love this herringbone floor? Discover the best underfoot solutions for your kitchen
Having now read about the health and taste benefits of steam cooking, you may be considering a dedicated steam oven. These tend to have a smaller cavity than conventional ovens – about 29 litres – and will either need to be plumbed in or have their own water tank, which simply needs refilling when necessary. Tanks vary in size up to 1.5 litres, so check dimensions before you buy. The larger the tank, the less likely it will be that you’ll have to refill it while cooking.
Pros
While electric ovens produce a dry heat, which is why we use fats and oils to keep food moist, a steam oven solves the problem by cooking with hot, pressurised steam, making meals more succulent, not to mention healthy, as it locks in nutrients and vitamins.
Love this herringbone floor? Discover the best underfoot solutions for your kitchen
Blakes London
Single ovens
A typical built-in or built-under single oven measures about 60cm high, 60cm wide and between 55cm to 57cm deep. If space is at a premium, many of the leading appliance brands offer compact models that are about 45cm high x 60cm wide x 55cm deep.
A typical built-in or built-under single oven measures about 60cm high, 60cm wide and between 55cm to 57cm deep. If space is at a premium, many of the leading appliance brands offer compact models that are about 45cm high x 60cm wide x 55cm deep.
In-toto Kitchens Bristol
Double ovens
A built-in double oven generally measures about 90cm high and 60cm wide and slots into cabinets at eye level, allowing you to get hot dishes in and out of the oven with ease.
Built-under double ovens are slightly smaller at 72cm high and 60cm wide, simply because there is less space under the worktop.
The majority of built-in and built-under double ovens feature an oven with a separate grill cavity above, or two ovens with a grill function incorporated into the top oven.
Get expert advice on choosing the best extractor fan for your kitchen
A built-in double oven generally measures about 90cm high and 60cm wide and slots into cabinets at eye level, allowing you to get hot dishes in and out of the oven with ease.
Built-under double ovens are slightly smaller at 72cm high and 60cm wide, simply because there is less space under the worktop.
The majority of built-in and built-under double ovens feature an oven with a separate grill cavity above, or two ovens with a grill function incorporated into the top oven.
Get expert advice on choosing the best extractor fan for your kitchen
Diane Berry Kitchens
Sizing up
A standard 60cm x 60cm oven will vary in capacity, so always double check dimensions. ‘Be sure you find out whether the capacity is measured as a gross volume or a net useable space,’ advises Matt. ‘You will find many manufacturers give a total volume, but this doesn’t really give you a true representation of what you can fit in.’
Capacity ranges from about 50 litres to a maximum of 76 litres. Increasing the cavity size without increasing the external dimensions of the oven is made possible by advances in design and manufacturing. ‘Improved insulation and heat management, plus more efficient use of space behind the fascia panels, create room that can be taken by the cavity,’ explains Neil Pooley of Miele.
A standard 60cm x 60cm oven will vary in capacity, so always double check dimensions. ‘Be sure you find out whether the capacity is measured as a gross volume or a net useable space,’ advises Matt. ‘You will find many manufacturers give a total volume, but this doesn’t really give you a true representation of what you can fit in.’
Capacity ranges from about 50 litres to a maximum of 76 litres. Increasing the cavity size without increasing the external dimensions of the oven is made possible by advances in design and manufacturing. ‘Improved insulation and heat management, plus more efficient use of space behind the fascia panels, create room that can be taken by the cavity,’ explains Neil Pooley of Miele.
Justin Smith Architects
Appliance bank
Why stop at a single built-in oven when you can create a bank of appliances, lending a seamless look to your kitchen? Always choose appliances from the same manufacturer to ensure a cohesive look. Also, choose ones that suit your cooking style.
A popular combination is a single multi-functional oven and steam oven with a couple of warming drawers underneath, perfect for keeping vegetables warm until the meat is cooked, or taking the chill off plates and serving dishes.
Banks of appliances are generally seen in one of four popular configurations: column, horizontal, T-shape and cube. To find out more, read on…
Why stop at a single built-in oven when you can create a bank of appliances, lending a seamless look to your kitchen? Always choose appliances from the same manufacturer to ensure a cohesive look. Also, choose ones that suit your cooking style.
A popular combination is a single multi-functional oven and steam oven with a couple of warming drawers underneath, perfect for keeping vegetables warm until the meat is cooked, or taking the chill off plates and serving dishes.
Banks of appliances are generally seen in one of four popular configurations: column, horizontal, T-shape and cube. To find out more, read on…
Cream & Black Interior Design
Column and horizontal configurations
Where space is at a premium, Clinton Patey of In-toto Kitchens Bristol suggests a column format, whereby appliances are stacked one on top of the other.
‘Where space allows, it’s also possible to align appliances in a horizontal format, either two or three units across,’ he adds. ‘In this formation, you can house various combinations of oven, microwave, microwave oven, steam oven and so on.’
By installing a warming drawer underneath shorter appliances, you can create a balanced look.
Where space is at a premium, Clinton Patey of In-toto Kitchens Bristol suggests a column format, whereby appliances are stacked one on top of the other.
‘Where space allows, it’s also possible to align appliances in a horizontal format, either two or three units across,’ he adds. ‘In this formation, you can house various combinations of oven, microwave, microwave oven, steam oven and so on.’
By installing a warming drawer underneath shorter appliances, you can create a balanced look.
Alexander James Interiors
Cube and T-shape configurations
There is a definite trend for T-shape and cube installations, according to Neil Pooley of Miele. To create a cube, Neil suggests a coffee machine and steam oven with the option of a pair of warming drawers fitted under two ovens at the bottom.
A T-shape configuration can be created by a row of three appliances, with a fourth placed under the middle one. ‘As an alternative, a warming drawer can be fitted under a 60cm oven, completing the “T” configuration and keeping the overall look clean and sleek,’ suggests Neil.
Browse more stylish kitchen bar stools
There is a definite trend for T-shape and cube installations, according to Neil Pooley of Miele. To create a cube, Neil suggests a coffee machine and steam oven with the option of a pair of warming drawers fitted under two ovens at the bottom.
A T-shape configuration can be created by a row of three appliances, with a fourth placed under the middle one. ‘As an alternative, a warming drawer can be fitted under a 60cm oven, completing the “T” configuration and keeping the overall look clean and sleek,’ suggests Neil.
Browse more stylish kitchen bar stools
Clover Kitchens
Intelligent thinking
For less confident cooks, a growing number of ovens feature intelligent functions designed to take the hassle out of cooking. A pre-set recipe option, for example, allows you to pick from any number of dishes for which the oven will set the optimum temperature and cooking time required. Some models even tell you on which shelf the dish should be cooked. This can be particularly useful for ensuring perfectly cooked Sunday roasts.
For less confident cooks, a growing number of ovens feature intelligent functions designed to take the hassle out of cooking. A pre-set recipe option, for example, allows you to pick from any number of dishes for which the oven will set the optimum temperature and cooking time required. Some models even tell you on which shelf the dish should be cooked. This can be particularly useful for ensuring perfectly cooked Sunday roasts.
Podesta
Clever self-cleaning ovens
‘Many ovens have liners designed to keep your oven’s interior remarkably clean with minimal maintenance,’ says Clinton Patey. Pyrolytic ovens offer an even easier way to keep your oven clean. During a cycle, the door is locked and the oven is heated up to 500ºC, which burns off any deposits from baking, roasting and grilling. ‘Once the cycle has finished and the oven is cool, you’re left with a residue of fine ash that’s easily removed with a damp cloth,’ adds Clinton.
‘Think about how you intend using the appliance, as this will dictate the type of product you select, as well as how many appliances you need,’ says Neil. ‘A keen cook will always look for a product or feature that enhances their ability, allowing them to do more and get better results.’
TELL US…
Have you joined the steam-cooking revolution? Share your experiences in the Comments below.
‘Many ovens have liners designed to keep your oven’s interior remarkably clean with minimal maintenance,’ says Clinton Patey. Pyrolytic ovens offer an even easier way to keep your oven clean. During a cycle, the door is locked and the oven is heated up to 500ºC, which burns off any deposits from baking, roasting and grilling. ‘Once the cycle has finished and the oven is cool, you’re left with a residue of fine ash that’s easily removed with a damp cloth,’ adds Clinton.
‘Think about how you intend using the appliance, as this will dictate the type of product you select, as well as how many appliances you need,’ says Neil. ‘A keen cook will always look for a product or feature that enhances their ability, allowing them to do more and get better results.’
TELL US…
Have you joined the steam-cooking revolution? Share your experiences in the Comments below.
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