When planning a kitchen renovation, first check that your chosen oven is suitable for the cabinet niche, the unit’s ventilation, the door clearance and the planned electrical connection. Then choose the cooking modes to suit the dishes you make. Conventional heat may be enough if you mainly cook on one shelf, while a fan-assisted mode is worth closer consideration if you regularly use several shelves. A steam function also comes with maintenance tasks to consider before you decide.
If you prepare several trays or dishes in one cooking session, check how many shelves the model’s fan-assisted mode is designed for, then look at temperature and energy-use test results. UFC-Que Choisir measures both of these aspects in its built-in oven tests.
Whether you’re replacing an oven or finishing a kitchen unit, compare the inside dimensions of the niche with the installation diagram for the model you’ve chosen. The appliance’s external dimensions alone don’t confirm that it will fit or have adequate ventilation.
If steam suits recipes you make regularly, check which modes are available and how the appliance takes in water, as well as what maintenance is required after use.
First rule out any models that aren’t compatible with your cabinet and planned installation. Then compare the cooking modes and features that suit the way you cook.
| Priority | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fit and electrical connection | Compare the niche with the installation diagram for the exact model. Ask the relevant professionals to confirm the clearances, ventilation, door opening, power requirements and connection. | I need to be able to open the door without obstructing the walkway and fit the oven into the planned cabinet. |
| Cooking modes | Check which modes are actually available and how many shelves each is designed for. For steam cooking, check the water supply system and maintenance instructions. | Do I mainly cook on one shelf, or do I regularly prepare several dishes at once? Do I often make recipes that would benefit from steam? |
| Cooking performance and ease of use | Compare preheating times and temperature accuracy under like-for-like test conditions. Also look at the controls and test results for accessible surfaces. UFC-Que Choisir measures preheating and temperature stability in its tests. | Several people use the oven, and I want clear settings I can choose easily rather than relying on the number of functions alone. |
| Energy use | Check the energy rating and energy use per cycle for the exact model. Compare cycles using the same cooking mode, rather than assuming energy use from capacity alone. | If I use the oven often, I want to compare its energy-use figures under equivalent conditions. |
An appliance that looks like it will fit may need a different-sized niche or different clearances. Built-in dimensions vary by model.
Give your kitchen fitter or installer the fitting diagram for the model you’ve chosen. Before ordering, ask them to confirm the cabinet, ventilation, door opening and electrical connection.
If the cabinet or electrical connection needs adapting, additional work may be required or installation may have to be postponed.
The presence of a fan-assisted mode alone doesn’t tell you how accurately a model controls temperature or how much energy it uses. UFC-Que Choisir assesses these criteria separately in its tests.
To compare models, look at results obtained using a clearly defined test method, as well as the number of shelves specified for each mode in the instruction manuals.
The maintenance required depends on the steam system and cleaning function. It’s particularly important to consider if you plan to use these features often.
Check the instruction manual for information on water supply, drying and any descaling. Also check the conditions for using the cleaning function offered by the model.
The energy rating doesn’t replace the energy-use figures given for each cycle and comparable cooking mode.
Check the figures for the exact model on its energy label and compare like-for-like modes, alongside the cooking test results.
These range examples can help you identify features to check on a specific model; they don’t represent every oven from each brand.
Electrolux lists a capacity of 72 L, built-in dimensions of 590 × 560 × 550 mm and a total electrical power rating of 3 490 W for its LOF6P16Z built-in oven.
Bosch lists external dimensions of 595 × 594 × 548 mm for the HBF134EB2, along with a 3D Hotair mode designed for cooking on three shelves.
Whirlpool describes the WOI4S8CM0SBAF as a 73 L built-in oven with fan-assisted cooking and catalytic cleaning. For the OWR551RR0B, the brand lists pyrolytic cleaning and SmartClean hydrolytic cleaning modes.
This multifunction oven may suit a household considering a fan-assisted mode as part of a kitchen renovation. You’ll need to check that it fits your kitchen by referring to its installation manual and your cabinet plan.
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The 3D fan-assisted mode is worth considering if you cook on several shelves. The stated capacity is 71 L. Before choosing this model, compare its built-in dimensions and connection requirements with your kitchen plans.
Compare the cabinet’s internal dimensions with the built-in measurements for the exact model, then check the clearances and ventilation requirements in its installation diagram. For example, Electrolux lists a niche measuring 590 × 560 × 550 mm for the LOF6P16Z, while the 595 × 594 × 548 mm Bosch gives for the HBF134EB2 are external dimensions. These measurements aren’t interchangeable.
It’s most worth considering if you want to cook on several shelves regularly. If you only cook occasionally and mainly use one shelf, start by choosing modes that suit the dishes you make. UFC-Que Choisir recommends matching features to how you cook rather than simply opting for more functions.
Consider one if you expect to use the function regularly and are happy to carry out the maintenance associated with water. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between combination ovens, which retain conventional cooking modes with or without steam. Then check the instruction manual for your chosen model to see how it takes in water and what maintenance is required.
Ask a qualified professional to confirm that the planned connection is suitable for the power requirements and instructions for your chosen oven. In France, Promotelec states that a new or completely renovated electrical installation must comply with the NF C 15-100 standard. Also check who will be responsible for any changes to the cabinet or electrical installation.
Compare energy use per cycle for the same cooking modes, using figures for the exact models rather than relying on the energy rating alone. The European Commission states that domestic ovens are subject to energy labelling requirements. These figures don’t, however, replace an assessment of cooking performance.