First, rule out ovens whose housing dimensions or installation requirements are unsuitable for your kitchen unit. Then choose the cooking functions to suit the dishes you make: fan-assisted cooking is ideal for regular use across several shelves, while pyrolytic cleaning adds a maintenance cycle to plan for. A compact oven is only suitable if your housing is designed for that size.
The housing is already in place, so compare its measurements with the oven’s built-in dimensions. Check the ventilation requirements in the manual before choosing the capacity or programmes. UFC-Que Choisir recommends installing an oven in a suitable kitchen unit.
If you regularly use several shelves, check which fan-assisted functions are actually available and how much space there is inside the oven. When assessing how accurately a model cooks, temperature readings matter more than the number of functions alone.
If splashes make cleaning a chore, a model with pyrolytic cleaning could be a good choice, as long as you’re happy to prepare the oven, allow time for the cycle and follow the precautions in the manual.
For a fitted or renovated kitchen, first check that the oven can be installed in your unit. Then compare compatible models based on how you cook and your usual cleaning routine.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Measure the housing’s height, width and depth, then compare these with the built-in dimensions and ventilation requirements in the manual. | If I’m keeping my kitchen unit, I need to make sure the new oven will fit without assuming that the dimensions of its front tell me what I need to know. Around 36% of consumers put this compatibility first. |
| Cooking functions | Check that the oven has the functions you’ll use, including conventional and fan-assisted cooking. If precise cooking matters for your recipes, look at temperature test results. | When I prepare several dishes or use different shelves, I want functions suited to those batches, rather than a long list of programmes I’ll rarely use. Around 29% of consumers put this versatility first. |
| Cleaning | Check the model’s cleaning system and read the instructions on accessories, cycle duration and cooling. | If I cook often and splashes build up, I’d rather plan for a deep clean than scrub the whole oven by hand. Around 21% of consumers make cleaning their top priority. |
| Capacity and energy use | Match the usable capacity to the dishes you cook and compare the kWh per cycle figures for the same cooking mode. | For larger batches, I look for an oven cavity that’s big enough, while checking the energy use of the mode I’ll use. Capacity and energy use are the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
External dimensions and built-in dimensions are not the same. For example, Electrolux specifies a housing measuring 590 × 560 × 550 mm for the EOF4P46BK. These measurements don’t apply to other models.
Measure the finished kitchen unit and check the installation diagram for your chosen oven, including its ventilation requirements, before ordering.
If the oven doesn’t fit, you may need to modify the kitchen unit, delaying your kitchen installation.
Extra functions don’t tell you whether an oven is right for your dishes or how well it maintains the selected temperature. UFC-Que Choisir tests factors including preheating and temperature stability.
Start with the recipes you make regularly. If precision is essential, compare test results for the models you’re considering.
You’ll need to prepare the oven for this cleaning cycle, and it can’t be used again until it has cooled down. Electrolux says that its relevant programmes last between 1 and 3 hours, depending on the cycle selected.
Check your model’s manual to find out which accessories to remove and what precautions to follow during and after the cycle.
How you use two ovens can differ depending on the dishes you cook and the setting you choose. The European Commission lists energy use per cycle for both conventional and fan-assisted modes.
Compare the kWh per cycle figures for the same mode, then consider separately what capacity you need for your dishes.
The range includes standard-sized built-in ovens, including models with fan-assisted cooking and pyrolytic cleaning.
The range includes standard-sized built-in ovens, with features that vary by model.
The range includes multifunction ovens, some of which combine two cleaning systems.
The range includes compact ovens designed for kitchen layouts built to accommodate this size.
No. You need to compare the built-in dimensions with the finished housing and follow the manual’s instructions for the kitchen unit and its ventilation. For example, Electrolux specifies a housing measuring 590 × 560 × 550 mm for the EOF4P46BK. This measurement shouldn’t be applied to another oven.
A fan-assisted setting is useful if you regularly cook on several shelves. For a dish you usually cook on one shelf, conventional cooking may be enough. Check which settings the oven offers rather than assuming how it performs from the term ‘multifunction’.
Follow the steps in your model’s manual, including which accessories to remove and how long to let the oven cool before cleaning away any residue. Electrolux says its pyrolytic cleaning programmes can last between 1 and 3 hours, depending on the cycle selected.
Compare their kWh per cycle figures for the same cooking mode, whether conventional or fan-assisted, as well as the capacity you need. The European Commission distinguishes between these two modes in its energy-use information for domestic ovens. An energy rating on its own doesn’t reflect how you use your oven.