Households serving several dishes at the same meal
If you need to cook gratins, vegetables or bakes at the same time, look for a setting designed for multiple shelves. The oven’s capacity alone doesn’t tell you how many dishes you can cook at once.
Who is this type of oven for?
Households preparing meals in advance
If you regularly cook several batches, look at the usable shelf positions and accessories, preheating time and temperature stability. UFC-Que Choisir assesses these aspects in its built-in oven tests.
Cooks interested in steam
If you plan to use steam regularly for dishes where moisture matters, compare the combination oven’s settings and cleaning requirements. Electrolux presents steam as a way to help retain moisture; on its own, this doesn’t tell you whether you can cook several dishes at once.
What should you check?
Start with how many dishes you want to cook at once, then compare the advertised features with your kitchen dimensions and cleaning habits.
| Criterion | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking on multiple shelves | Check that the fan-assisted setting is advertised for use on multiple shelves, then look at the number of shelf positions and usable accessories. For the exact model, look for tests on even cooking and temperature stability: UFC-Que Choisir measures these factors. | I want to cook several dishes at once, as long as their temperatures and cooking settings are compatible. |
| Oven cavity and built-in space | Compare the height, width and depth of the built-in space with the installation diagram for the exact model. Also check that the stated capacity suits the size of your dishes, racks and trays. | My dishes need to fit in the oven, and the appliance needs to fit in my kitchen’s built-in space. |
| Cooking settings | UFC-Que Choisir describes conventional heat as cooking on one shelf, and fan-assisted cooking as an option for cooking on multiple shelves. For a steam oven, check which settings are actually available and what maintenance they require. | I mainly cook several dishes at once; or I’ll use steam regularly for dishes where moisture matters. |
| Regular use and cleaning | Compare the capacity and energy use per cycle for equivalent settings on the energy label, following the European Commission’s guidance. Also check the preheating time and how the model’s cleaning system works. | If I’m cooking several batches in a row, I want to compare how they can be organised, the stated energy use and the cleaning required. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based on capacity alone
A large oven cavity doesn’t guarantee there’s enough room for several large dishes, or that they’ll cook evenly on different shelves.
Check the size of the trays and racks, the usable shelf positions and whether the oven has a setting designed for cooking on multiple shelves.
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Assuming fan assistance means the same results on every shelf
A setting’s name doesn’t prove that a particular model cooks evenly. UFC-Que Choisir measures factors including how accurately the oven reaches the selected temperature and how stable it is.
Check the exact model’s manual for multi-shelf use and, if possible, look for independent tests of its cooking performance.
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Confusing oven dimensions with the built-in space dimensions
Two standard-size appliances may need different-sized openings. The Bosch HBA4720B3 and Electrolux EOA9S3XH product specifications each state the built-in dimensions for that particular model.
Measure the height, width and depth of your built-in space, along with the required clearances, and compare them with the installation diagram for your chosen oven.
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Prioritising extra features over the cooking setting
Steam is for different uses from cooking on multiple shelves, while a cleaning system doesn’t tell you whether dishes will cook evenly either.
First decide which dishes you’ll cook together, then choose the steam and cleaning features you expect to use.
A guide to the ranges
These manufacturer examples show why it’s important to compare the features and dimensions of the specific model, rather than those of a brand as a whole.
Bosch
The HBA4720B3 is an example of a multifunction built-in oven with Hotair 3D.
- Bosch states that this model has a 71 L capacity and distributes heat across three levels; its product information also gives the built-in dimensions.
- The telescopic rails are designed for use on just one level on this model. The manufacturer’s claims aren’t a substitute for an independent cooking test.
Electrolux
The range includes fan-assisted ovens and steam combination ovens, which meet different needs.
- Electrolux states that the EOF6P76X has a 72 L capacity, fan-assisted cooking and a multi-level cooking function.
- According to Electrolux, steam helps retain moisture in some dishes. This description doesn’t prove that you can cook several dishes at once, or guarantee the results of every steam oven model.
Whirlpool
Some multifunction ovens in the range combine fan-assisted cooking with several cleaning settings.
- Whirlpool states that the OWR551RR0B has a 71 L oven cavity, five shelf positions and can cook three dishes at once.
- This information relates to this particular model and comes from the manufacturer; it isn’t an independent assessment of cooking consistency.
Built-in ovens available on Joybuy
These two 71 L built-in ovens may be worth considering if you want to cook several dishes. Before choosing, check the usable shelf positions, cooking settings and whether each one will fit your built-in space.
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Bosch HBA514BB3, 71 L built-in oven
If you’re considering cooking several dishes at once, check which shelf positions are intended for simultaneous cooking on this model and look for any available test results on cooking consistency.
The product title mentions the 3D hot air function. The title and description differ on the number of compartments and the finish, so check the exact configuration and installation dimensions in the manual.
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Hotpoint FI4485PIX, 71 L pyrolytic built-in oven
If you plan to cook several dishes at once, check which settings are designed for this, how many shelf positions can be used and how evenly this model cooks.
The product title states a 71 L capacity, pyrolytic cleaning and an A+ energy rating. Compare the dimensions of your built-in space and the installation instructions in the manual with your kitchen.
Frequently asked questions
Is conventional heat suitable for cooking several dishes on different shelves?
It’s not the setting to choose for this purpose: UFC-Que Choisir describes conventional heat as cooking on a single shelf. To cook on multiple shelves, look for a fan-assisted setting explicitly designed for this and check the model’s specifications.
What should you measure before ordering a built-in oven?
Measure the height, width and depth of the built-in space, then compare them with the installation diagram for the exact model. Don’t confuse these measurements with the appliance’s external dimensions. The product specifications for the Bosch HBA4720B3 and Electrolux EOA9S3XH each give the built-in dimensions for that model.
How can you compare the energy use of two ovens?
Compare their capacity and energy use per cycle for the same setting shown on the energy label. The European Commission lists separate figures for conventional mode and fan-forced convection; don’t treat them as interchangeable measurements.
When should you consider a steam combination oven?
Consider one if you’ll use its steam functions regularly. According to Electrolux, these can help retain moisture in some dishes. If your priority is cooking several dishes at once, check the fan-assisted setting, usable shelf positions and built-in dimensions separately.
Can you plan the electrical connection based on the type of oven alone?
No: check the installation manual for the model and confirm the required connection before installation. The Bosch HBA4720.3 manual, for example, states that appliances without a plug must be connected by a qualified professional; this instruction applies to the appliances covered by that manual.