First, choose an oven that fits the housing, meets the clearances specified in its instructions and is compatible with your kitchen’s electrical supply. If you often cook on several shelves at once, look at fan ovens; if you mainly cook on one shelf, conventional cooking may suit your needs. Consider a compact model or a steam or AirFry function only if it makes sense for the dishes you usually cook and the space you have available.
You regularly prepare several dishes or batches of baking at the same time. In that case, usable capacity, the number of shelf positions and consistent cooking matter more than simply having a fan setting. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol looks at factors including temperature and how evenly it is maintained.
You’re designing the kitchen unit or replacing an oven in an existing housing. Before deciding on cooking programmes, compare the installation dimensions, required ventilation, door clearance and electrical connection.
You’re considering steam or AirFry for dishes you often make. Check how the feature works on the model you’re considering, without overlooking its capacity, cleaning requirements and everyday cooking performance.
When fitting out a kitchen, first check the available space and installation requirements. Then compare the cooking modes and capacity with the dishes you make, followed by the extra features and cleaning requirements.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fitting and electrical connection | Measure the finished housing and check the installation diagram for ventilation, door clearance and the model’s electrical connection. | If the unit is already planned, I want to be sure the oven will fit without obstructing the door or compromising the connection. Around 36% of consumers would put this compatibility first. |
| Cooking modes and consistency | Compare capacity, usable shelf positions and cooking modes. For more demanding cooking, look for test results on the model’s temperature control and performance. | When I prepare several dishes at once, I want a suitable cooking mode without assuming that a fan oven alone guarantees consistent results. This would be a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Cleaning and energy use | Check the cleaning system and compare the kWh per cycle for the same cooking mode on the energy label. | If I clean the oven often, I want to know what’s involved with the chosen system and be able to compare its energy use on a like-for-like basis. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise cleaning and energy use. |
| Compact size and specialist features | Check that the capacity suits your dishes and that steam or AirFry works for the recipes you usually make. | If I have a low housing or specific recipes in mind, I may be happy with a different capacity or a specialist feature, but only if I’ll actually use it. Saving space or having this feature would come first for around 14% of consumers. |
This label doesn’t tell you all the housing dimensions or the clearances required. Installation dimensions vary depending on the size and model.
Ask for the installation diagram for your chosen oven and check the finished unit, ventilation and door swing before ordering.
Modifying the unit could delay installation.
The presence of a fan alone doesn’t tell you how well a model performs. In its tests, UFC-Que Choisir assesses factors such as preheating and temperature stability separately.
If you often use several shelves, look for tests of the model you’re considering and the types of cooking you’re interested in.
An extra feature doesn’t remove the need to check basic cooking performance, capacity and cleaning requirements. Its usefulness depends on the dishes you make and how often you’ll use it.
Start with the dishes you usually cook, then check exactly what the feature does on the model you’re considering.
The oven’s size or stated power alone won’t tell you whether the electrical installation and planned connection are suitable.
Check the model’s instructions against the existing circuit, and have a qualified person inspect the installation before fitting the oven.
Electrical work may need to be carried out before the oven can be installed.
These brands offer models that illustrate different choices of size and features. The details below apply to the models mentioned, not to their entire ranges.
The range includes built-in ovens that let you compare multifunction cooking with the addition of steam.
Several built-in models from the brand let you compare capacity, cooking modes and cleaning options.
The range includes a compact model that’s worth considering if the height of your housing limits your options.
This multifunction built-in oven may suit a range of cooking needs. Before making your final choice, check its installation dimensions and electrical connection against your kitchen.
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Worth considering if you want a built-in oven for a variety of cooking, provided it suits your housing and installation.
The product title lists a capacity of 71 L and 3D fan cooking. Check the instructions for the housing dimensions, ventilation and electrical connection. This cooking mode alone doesn’t guarantee even results.
Not as a final decision. Compare the finished housing dimensions with the installation diagram for the model you’re considering. Also check the required clearances and the space needed to open the door.
Before installation, compare the oven’s instructions with the circuit planned for your kitchen. For an oven circuit, Legrand specifies a dedicated circuit with conductors of at least 2.5 mm² and a circuit breaker rated at no more than 20 A. Ask a qualified person to check the requirements for your installation.
Compare the kWh per cycle shown for the same cooking mode, rather than comparing different modes. The European Commission explains that the energy label for domestic ovens includes information such as capacity and energy use per cycle in conventional and fan-assisted modes.
Not if it doesn’t suit recipes you make regularly. Check how it works on the model you’re considering, then assess its capacity, installation requirements and everyday cooking performance separately.