Whether you are refurbishing your kitchen, or simply looking to upgrade your old model, shopping for a new oven can be a challenge. Ovens are an essential part of our domestic lives. Choosing the right one will have you considering a range of factors such as the type, size, energy efficiency, and even its aesthetic. Let’s dig into some of the considerations for a new oven.
Size and Capacity
If you are replacing an old oven in an existing space, make sure you take the measurements and shop for a unit with the correct sizing. Consider your cooking habits, and how often you’ll be using the oven. Will you be cooking multiple dishes at once? Perhaps you’ll need a larger capacity or even a double oven to account for your usage.
Features
Consider the types of features that are important to you. Modern ovens can have a lot of features, so it’s good to know what’s important to you. Some ovens come with self-cleaning technology. Some have an air-fryer feature, or even a rotisserie function. Others have smart features, which can be great for a busy household.
Energy Consumption
Consider investing in an oven that has a high energy star rating. While this may come with a higher store price, it will save you a lot of money in the long run on your power bill. Energy efficient appliances use less energy to do their job, meaning they won’t gobble up electricity and hike your power bill. The more star the oven has, the more energy efficient. It’s a good idea to balance price vs the long term savings over the lifespan of the appliance.
Warranty
Make sure you carefully read the warranty terms and conditions. Make sure you have a warranty that ensures you have peace of mind that you won’t have to dig into your own pocket if something goes wrong with your oven.
Type of Oven
Free-Standing Oven
Free-standing ovens combine stovetops with an oven. They offer versatility of cooking options (electric ovens or convection ovens), and can be placed anywhere in the kitchen as they are not confined to particular cabinetry. You can also shop a range of styles to suit your aesthetic including farmhouse styles.
- Easy installation: Free-standing ovens are easy to install and move around. You don’t need built-in cabinetry, making them a great choice for a simple replacement of an older appliance. They can also come with you if you move house, or easily shift to a different spot in your kitchen.
- Cooktop and oven: Free-standing ovens offer the convenience of an all-in-one cooking unit. With the cooktop and oven blended into one unit, you can get all your meals whipped up in the same place. You can also browse different stovetop options such as electric, gas, or induction.
- Budget-friendly: Free-standing ovens are generally the more cost-effective option, and suit shoppers on a budget.
- Sizing choice: Free-standing ovens come in a range of sizes and capacities. Consider the type of cooking you like to do. For lovers of hosting dinner parties, or large families, a bigger capacity would be a good idea. You can also get smaller units if you are looking to squeeze one into your compact townhouse kitchen. Consider the floor space. The downside to free-standing ovens is that they take up more floor space than their built-in counterparts.
Built-In or Wall Ovens
Seamlessly integrating with your kitchen cabinetry, built-in ovens offer a seamless, floor-space saving design that fosters a sleek kitchen aesthetic. They also come in a range of styles and sizes, and cooking options—electric ovens, convection ovens, steam ovens, combination steam/ convection ovens. Built-in ovens are generally more complex and expensive to install than free-standing, and it requires a professional team to plan and execute.
- Aesthetic presentation: Built-in ovens seamlessly fit into your kitchen and cabinetry, blending in to offer a clean and polished appearance. You can also choose the design of the oven, and the placement to suit your vision, and your cooking needs.
- Installation flexibility: Built-in ovens give you the flexibility to choose where you install and place the unit. Opt for eye-level, under the counter, or side-by-side, under the stove. Wherever works for your convenience and your cooking needs. You have the choice!
- Optimise Floor Space: Compact, smaller living is becoming more common in New Zealand, especially in the bigger cities. Built-in ovens might better suit your smaller kitchen, or limited floor space. With the unit installed into the cabinetry, you can optimise space without compromising on your cooking needs.
Compare Ovens
If you are in the market for a new oven, be sure to take advantage of PriceMe. Your ultimate shopping tool, PriceMe makes it easy to compare different oven models and, of course, prices so that you can get the best deal possible. PriceMe helps you compare the prices of oven models across New Zealand retailers so you can get the cheapest price, and avoid paying more than you need to. Don’t skip this essential step in your oven buying experience. Compare ovens and find the best price in just minutes!
