Oven Buyer’s Guide – How to Find Your Perfect Oven

Are you in the process of buying a new oven, but feel overwhelmed by all the options?

That’s totally normal! In fact, whenever the time to replace home appliances comes around, a lot of people tend to feel stressed and confused. Especially when it comes to something that will last for a decade or two.

Ovens are not the cheapest appliances out there, so I can understand how you might be afraid to make the wrong purchase. After all, who wants to spend their hard-earned money on something that will burn your cupcakes or ruin a beef stew by undercooking it?

It’s estimated that the retail sales of major kitchen appliances in America amount to more than $90B every year, so you’re likely to be bombarded with a ton of information by the hundreds of companies that manufacture them.

This can easily become overwhelming and might even cause you to make the wrong choice, leaving you with hundreds of dollars worth of repairs over time.

But don’t worry, you came to the right place for answers. With over 7 years of experience in covering all things appliances, I’ve seen it all, and now want to share what I’ve learned with you. This way, you’ll be able to go to bed every night knowing that your new oven won’t ruin Thanksgiving or a nice chat with friends over dinner.

Keep reading to buy the perfect oven!

Oven Types

Just as it happens with many other major appliances, there are several types of ovens out there. Each one serves a different purpose and might be better suited for a person’s individual needs. Before going into the specific considerations when buying a new oven, let’s talk about what each model has to offer.

Range Ovens

Range ovens are ideal for homes that require versatility, as they combine an oven compartment and a cooktop. This all-in-one configuration offers two separate cooking solutions under a single appliance, which can be very useful, especially considering that you can use them both at the same time.

Within the category of range ovens, there are 3 main subdivisions:

• Freestanding: Freestanding variants can be placed as a standalone piece in your kitchen, or as part of your cabinetry.
• Slide-In: Slide-ins are designed to be placed between cabinets to offer a seamless look.
• Double Oven: Double ovens are great for cooking multiple meals at the same time, as they feature 2 separate oven compartments that can be controlled individually.

Range ovens are ideal for smaller homes with reduced kitchen spaces, as the integrated design of the appliance provides convenience. If you live with 1–2 more people, an average unit like this will do the job just fine.

Depending on the size and model you go for, you can typically find range ovens that cost anywhere between $400-2,000.

Wall Ovens

Wall ovens are typically mounted into a special cabinetry or section within your kitchen. This design is not only meant to save space and contribute to the aesthetic of your home, but also to make baking much easier, as they can be placed nearly anywhere – often at eye level.

Moreover, wall ovens tend to have larger compartments than their range counterparts, which is great if you’re used to baking in big batches.

Not unlike range ovens, this oven type can also be subdivided into a couple of variants:

• Single: A wall oven with one compartment to place and cook meals.
• Double: A variant that offers two different cooking compartments for preparing multiple dishes at the same time.

Most wall ovens will meet your needs as well as any range unit; however, if you have a specific idea for your kitchen, this model might be the one for you.

Normally, these oven types are a bit more expensive, as you won’t only be paying for the appliance, but also for the installation into your cabinetry, and all the wiring that comes with it. You should expect to pay anywhere between $600-3,500 or more, depending on how sophisticated you want it to be.

Gas Ovens

Gas ovens were the most common for decades, as they were the most popular option before their electric substitutes came along. Depending on the make and model, almost any oven type can be either electric or gas-powered.

These types of ovens are great for people who don’t want their baking to add up to their electricity bill month after month. That being said, it should be mentioned that gas ovens typically require more maintenance than their electric counterparts, as you need to be constantly aware of possible leaks.

Since all oven types can be gas-fueled, the price tag on them can vary greatly depending on your particular choice. A range gas oven might cost you as “little” as $500, or as much as +$3,000 if it’s a Smart variant.

Electric Ovens

Electric ovens are much more modern and eliminate the fire hazard that gas alternatives represent. Not to mention that they’re typically less demanding in terms of maintenance. That being said, like any other appliance, they also have their fair share of Cons.

Depending on the cost of energy sources in different living areas, some people might be better off purchasing this oven type over a gas model if savings are a significant concern. Generally, electric ovens are right for people who don’t know their way around DIY appliance repairs and don’t wish to get involved in constant maintenance efforts.

An average electric oven for a household of 2–3 people should go for anywhere between $500-2,200. However, as it happens with gas models, all oven types can be electric, so depending on your choice, you might end up paying more than $3,000.

Convection Ovens

Convection ovens run on electricity, gas, or sometimes even steam. However, there’s a big difference between this variant of the appliance and others – the way it cooks meals. While “regular” ovens simply produce sweltering temperatures inside their compartment, convection alternatives also use a fan to circulate the hot air trapped inside in order to deliver a more consistent and even result.

These ovens are great for perfectionists. Convection ovens can be found in all sizes, so, regardless of the number of family members you have, you’ll certainly be able to pick one that meets your needs.

On average, you should expect to pay anywhere between $1,000-2,000 for a unit like this. However, if you want the best of the best, the sky’s the limit in terms of pricing.

Smart Ovens

Smart ovens offer their owners all sorts of possibilities, automatic configurations, and even remote control features via their smartphones. Technology is constantly advancing, making tasks simpler, and automating nearly anything, so who knows what will be the next big thing?

Maybe your next oven will even prepare your meals from scratch!

Tech like this does not come cheap, so if you’re interested in getting a high-end model to show your friends, you’ll have to take a considerable amount of money from your piggy bank. On average, Smart ovens are in the $600-3,500, and they’re ideal for people who want to bake while being able to move freely around their home while doing any adjustments necessary.

Air Frying Ovens

Air fryers have a fan that circulates the hot air within them to ensure even cooking and the mouth-watering Maillard reaction on your meals. Typically, these ovens offer air frying as a feature rather than being based entirely on this particular cooking method.

This oven type is perfect for people who like to eat healthier recipes and have complete control over the cooking process of their food. More often than not, ovens with air frying capabilities are designed to offer alternative cooking methods as well, so if you like versatility and a friendly price tag, this might be for you.

Depending on the model you choose, you might end up paying anywhere between $100-300 dollars for a unit like this. However, if you want a full-sized oven that offers this feature, you’ll end up many times that amount.

Steam Ovens

Steam ovens cook your meals and deliver results that are not entirely possible through heat alone by using… you guessed it – steam.

These are great for ensuring that typically dry white meats retain as much moisture as possible. Moreover, they’re also very good at baking bread, and even reheating leftovers, as they don’t dry them out as other ovens would. Not to mention that, since they use lower temperatures, they tend to be more energy-efficient than electric or gas models.

This oven type is great for people who want to save on utilities while also getting faster cooking times. The only disadvantage is that you’ll have to pay anywhere between $600-5,000 for a unit like this, depending on the features you want to be included.

What to Consider When Buying

Now that you know all the different oven types available on the market, we can go deeper into the main factors you should take into account when looking to buy one for your home.

Price

Price is probably the first thing that comes into most people’s minds when looking into buying a new oven, and for good reason. Appliances these days are very expensive, and since ovens, as opposed to toasters or blenders, tend to last for at least a decade, making sure you get the biggest bang for your buck is key.

The larger and more complex an oven type is, the more expensive it will be. We touched on this a little earlier when discussing Smart ovens, which are the most sophisticated options currently available.

To give you a clearer perspective on what you can expect to pay for different oven types, here’s a detailed table for your consideration:

Capacity

Capacity is yet another essential element that you must consider before buying a new oven, as it will determine whether you spend countless hours baking, or a little under an hour every day.

Ideally, you want to have as much space as possible to place your food inside your appliance; however, this comes at a price, so the higher the storage capacity of an oven, the more it will cost.

Now, don’t worry. If you live alone or have a small family, an average-sized oven compartment should cover most of your needs with room to spare.

Fuel Type

Fuel type is also a critical element to consider, as it will determine how much you’ll be paying month after month to run your oven. Oftentimes, people only look at the price tag on the appliance they’re purchasing, without ever stopping to think about the associated cost it entails.

In America, gas tends to be cheaper than electricity, so you might be inclined to think that going for that specific fuel type is the way to go and save a fortune. And while this might be true in theory, there are many other factors you must take into consideration.

As I mentioned earlier, gas ovens often require more maintenance and due diligence when used, as they have valves, capillary tubes, gas lines, and many other elements that must be observed closely at all times. Not only to prevent dangerous leaks and fires, but also to ensure that the unit has a long lifespan.

Electric ovens, on the other hand, tend to be more forgiving when it comes to maintaining them, which means that you’ll likely spend less on spare parts and technician visits than you would with a gas variant.

On average, gas ovens use around .65 gallons (0.25 m³) of LP gas per hour, whereas electric ovens use about 2,500 watts in that same period.

So, barring any unfortunate gas leaks or component failures, running a gas oven is significantly cheaper.

Features

Features are also key when looking into purchasing a new oven for your home. Now that we’ve covered estimates for the price, recommended compartment capacity, and different fuel types, let’s touch on what your money will be buying.

Depending on the oven type you choose, you’ll enjoy more or fewer features, and the price will rise or drop according to this.

I understand how tempting it can be to go all out and buy the nicest oven with all the buttons. But prior to making a purchase, I always recommend asking yourself, “Do I really need this?”.

Unless you’re a professional chef or a passionate hobbyist baker, you can achieve most of your goals with an average unit.

Here are some of the most significant features of each oven type to help drive your decision:

Efficiency

Efficiency is often overshadowed by other, more seemingly important elements when looking for the perfect new oven. But this is a grave mistake.

Considering the price tag of an appliance you’re interested in and comparing it to the features it offers in order to determine its value is wise. However, if you fail to also consider the amount of money you’ll be paying to actually use it every month, you might end up with an unpleasant surprise.

That being said, this doesn’t mean that all ovens are inefficient. There are great options out there that can save you hundreds of dollars every year.

If you want a lower cost increase on your monthly bills, a gas-fueled model should be your go-to. However, if you’re convinced that you want an electric unit for easier maintenance, just make sure that you look for a model that uses no more than 2500 watts per hour.

Higher-end models will consume more than that, as they tend to be larger and significantly more equipped in terms of features and options. But I’m guessing that, if you’re willing to pay +$5,000 for a state-of-the-art oven, you’re likely ok with the elevated costs using it entails.

Manufacturer & Warranty

Manufacturer & warranty should also be at the top of your listing during this purchasing process, as they will greatly determine how much you’ll be paying for repairs and other services over the years.

Good habits while using the oven also matter, but they’re just one piece of a larger puzzle.

Buying an oven, or any other major appliance from a reputable vendor and brand is always recommended. Most popular companies have been around for decades, and their survival is a clear indicator of the quality they offer in their products.

I know sometimes it can be tempting to get a cheaper model from an off-brand supplier, but more often than not, when you buy cheap, you buy twice.

Now, this is not to say that famous manufacturers are perfect. Even high-quality appliances can fail now and then or have factory defects, which is why looking for an oven that offers a good, long warranty is essential.

Here’s a table including 5 of the most popular oven brands in America:

Choosing Your Oven

So, now that you have all the information you might need around making a decision on what oven to buy, which type is best for you?

Well, there’s no cookie-cutter answer, as every person has different needs. However, taking into account the number of people you live with, your baking habits, and your monthly budget for utilities can go a long way in making the right choice.

Most people who only want an oven to cook for their family without overcomplicating things with hundreds of features should be pleased with a standard range or wall unit.

Honorable Mentions

As a bonus, I also wanted to include some top-notch models to give you a wider view of just how expensive premium ovens can be. While you’ll be extremely hard-pressed to see units in the +$15,000 range in homes, many Michelin Star restaurants use them, and maybe even some millionaire chefs have them in their kitchens.

One of the most famous custom-built cooking station manufacturers in the world is La Cornue. They are well known for offering an oven station worth a whopping $500,000!

That’s right, there are ovens that are worth almost two times more than the average home in Texas.

Frequently Asked Questions