For a renovated kitchen, first choose an oven whose installation dimensions and fitting requirements suit the cabinet. Check that there’s enough room to open the door, too. Then compare models based on the dishes you usually cook: a function designed for cooking on several levels is most useful if you often cook multiple batches at once, while the choice between pyrolytic and catalytic cleaning depends on the kind of mess you make and how much cleaning you’re happy to do.
If the cabinet is already in place, its height, width and depth will limit your options. The recess dimensions published by Electrolux and Bosch for their respective models show why it’s more important to check the installation diagram for your chosen oven than to rely on the dimensions of its front alone.
If you cook trays of food, bakes or other dishes at the same time, look for a function explicitly designed for use on several levels on the specific model you’re considering. Bosch, Electrolux and Siemens describe this feature on some of their ovens, but that alone doesn’t guarantee identical results from one model to another.
If your dishes often splatter, choose a cleaning system based on the type of residue and how often you want to clean. Pyrolytic cleaning, catalytic panels and cleaning-assistance functions all work differently.
When fitting out a renovated kitchen, first rule out any ovens that aren’t compatible with the cabinet and its opening. Then compare the cooking modes, cleaning systems and energy-use figures based on what you’ll actually use.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Fitting and installation | Measure the recess height, width and depth; check these against the installation diagram and the clearance requirements for the exact model. | I’m replacing an oven without altering the cabinet: the appliance needs to fit the recess and its door must be able to open. Around 33% of consumers put this compatibility at the top of their list. |
| Cooking on several levels | Check whether the model’s specifications state that it can be used this way. If there’s an independent test, also look at how well it maintains the temperature. | When I’m cooking several trays or dishes at once, I look for a mode designed for this rather than programmes I’ll rarely use. This is a priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Cleaning | Find out which system the oven has, which surfaces it covers and what you need to do after a cleaning cycle, if applicable. | My dishes regularly leave splatters behind, so I want to choose a cleaning method that suits the residue, without assuming it will eliminate all wiping. Around 27% of consumers prioritise ease of cleaning. |
| Energy use and ease of use | Compare energy use per cycle for the same cooking mode, and check which controls and functions you’re likely to use. | I mostly cook everyday dishes and want to understand the settings while keeping an eye on energy figures. For around 13% of consumers, simplicity and energy use come before other criteria. |
Two ovens with similar-sized fronts may need different recesses: Electrolux specifies 590 × 560 × 550 mm for the EOF3C40TH, while the Bosch HBG578ES7 specifications give 585–595 × 560–568 × 550 mm.
Measure the inside of the cabinet, then check the dimensions, clearances and airflow requirements in the installation diagram for your chosen model.
Some models advertise this function, but that alone doesn’t tell you about preheating, temperature stability or ease of use. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol assesses these aspects separately.
First confirm that the exact model has the function, then look for an independent test of that model, if one is available.
Whirlpool describes pyrolytic cleaning as a cycle that turns residue into ash. You still need to remove the ash after the cycle.
Choose a system that suits the mess you usually make, and read the cleaning instructions for the oven you’re considering.
The Bosch HBG578ES7 specifications distinguish, among other things, between energy use per cycle with conventional heat and with fan-assisted heat. The cooking mode therefore affects which figures you should compare.
Where these figures are available, compare cycles using the same cooking mode and consider which modes you’ll actually use.
These brands offer models that are useful for comparing sizes, cooking modes and cleaning systems. Always check the specifications for the exact model you’re considering.
The range includes built-in ovens in different sizes and with different cleaning systems.
The EOF3C40TH and EOF4P46H let you compare two cleaning systems, both paired with a fan-assisted cooking function.
Some models combine assisted programmes, a function designed for cooking on several levels and different cleaning options.
Some multifunction models combine several cooking modes with two different approaches to cleaning.
No. The dimensions of the oven front don’t guarantee that the fitting dimensions will be the same. Electrolux specifies a recess of 590 × 560 × 550 mm for the EOF3C40TH, compared with 585–595 × 560–568 × 550 mm in the Bosch HBG578ES7 specifications. Compare all three dimensions of your cabinet with the diagram for your chosen model, and check its installation requirements, too.
If you often cook several dishes at once, look for a model that explicitly states it can cook on several levels. Manufacturers describe some fan ovens from Bosch, Electrolux and Siemens this way. To assess the results from a specific model, also look for an independent test, if one is available.
Pyrolytic cleaning is a good choice if you want to use a dedicated cycle to tackle heavy residue and are happy to wipe away the ash afterwards. Catalytic cleaning uses panels that absorb grease, according to Electrolux’s information for the EOF3C40TH. Check which surfaces are covered and follow the cleaning instructions for the model you’re considering.