All About Built-in Electric Ovens

When choosing furniture and appliances for the kitchen, you need to think very carefully. The design of the entire room and the improvement and comfort depend on the choice. Professionals advise taking into account all the subtleties and nuances before making a final decision.

Popular with experienced chefs is the electric built-in oven. It is also appreciated by fans of cooking experiments. No wonder: such a solution allows you to better maintain a given thermal regime. In addition, built-in mechanisms are located more conveniently than when using stand-alone models. The most advanced devices allow you to adjust the heating with a deviation of 1 degree or less.

Modern, advanced kitchen ovens are equipped with cooking timers. They often have a first-class cooking compartment illumination. But there is also no need to constantly bend over and take other uncomfortable positions. Conventional technology calls for just this kind of handling when checking the readiness of food or when cleaning the work area. In most cases, built-in baking cabinets are installed at a height of more than 1 m above the floor surface.

A number of companies supply exactly built-in electrical devices. The difference between the individual models is related to the number of options and additional parameters. But it is important to understand that even economy class appliances can be valuable helpers in the kitchen. In some cases, this is due to the limited requests of some of the owners. But many consumers prioritize design issues - and manufacturers are responding adequately to this demand.

The main technical the properties of electric ovens are:

• weight (mass);
• functionality;
• efficiency.

It is natural that the larger the unit, the more it weighs. The greatest heating of air and food can be 300 degrees. Typical models in most cases have a size of 0.65x0.65x0.6 m. Products from leading manufacturers can have different levels of energy consumption. As for the controls, the mixed composition of components (mechanics plus sensor parts) is very convenient. However, it must be borne in mind that the cost of such a variety is very high.

The next point in assessing the characteristics of the oven is the number of auxiliary options. In the simplest devices there are 2, 3 or 4. But there are also multifunctional devices that have dozens of different functions. It is also worth remembering that the capabilities of the oven depend largely on the range of accessories included in the kit. Any modern oven simply must have a special self-cleaning system. Only extremely bad devices of dubious origin have to be manually cleaned. The security system implies an emergency shutdown of the cabinet in case of an emergency. It is also required to provide grounding of the device.And of course, an indispensable requirement is high-quality insulation of all internal wires and those parts that users will touch.

But one must understand that such an option is questionable in its usefulness. Even very experienced chefs rarely use it. However, for novice cooks, this device can be useful. Some ovens have an additional microwave emitter. It allows one device to be used instead of two devices and thus saves space in the room. The timer is of great help in cooking. Depending on the intention of the designers, the timer can give a special sound signal or automatically turn off the cabinet. Almost all people may be faced with a situation when it is necessary to postpone serving a dish for a while. Then the option of keeping a stable temperature comes in handy. Advanced products can program the cooking mode according to the parameters of a particular dish.

But in most budget models, you will either have to choose the required program from a ready-made list, or form your own according to certain parameters. If the oven is equipped with a steamer function, you can prepare many delicious meals. And the illumination of the working chamber will allow you to refuse to open the door. It will help you to see how your food is being prepared anyway. The fast warm-up option gives decent results. It allows you to start cooking within 5-7 minutes after starting. But after finishing cooking, the oven must be cleaned. For this purpose, a catalytic method is often used. When the temperature fluctuates between 140 and 200 degrees, the fats themselves break down into water and into soot. After the end of cooking, it is enough to clean this soot with a simple rag.

The electric oven is designed for non-contact heat treatment of food. The heating force ranges from 30 to 300 degrees. The main working chamber is divided into two bodies. They are separated by a layer of heat-insulating material, which prevents excessive heating of the outer shell. Additionally, a heating element with a special insulating sheath is wound on the inner part of the housing.

Of course, it must withstand both the passage of a strong current and significant heating. The inner chamber can be wrapped both from above and from below, and even in a combined way. However, the thermal performance of the product does not depend on this. Some of the structures do not have burners, this is especially typical for industrial kitchen equipment. Modern electric ovens are equipped with a convection fan to make the heat distribution as even as possible.

Some manufacturers equip their products with a wide range of functions. Most often, they use a grill (placed on top) and a skewer (mounted diagonally). For the grill mode, an incandescent lamp or a more economical and more practical halogen lamp is used. With a removable tray, the oven will be reliably protected from excess fat. Stand-alone oven versions have a separate control panel. Most often it has dedicated buttons.Dependent ovens have different types of switches: recessed, rotary or touch type. The energy efficiency class is indicated by a special label. Telescopic guides are often used to make it easy to slide in and out the baking sheets.

Differences between oven designs can be related to how they are opened. First of all, there were solutions in which the door swings down. Wall-mounted instances predominantly open to the side. And in models with a sliding door, when it is opened, grates and trays are immediately rolled out. The level of insulation is determined by the thickness of the door (directly related to the number of panes). Very thick doors prevent burns, which is very important in homes where small children live. A significant difference can be associated with the external dimensions of the ovens and with the internal volume of the working chamber. External dimensions are determined by the area allotted in the kitchen for household appliances. Built-in products are mainly painted in the following colors:

• White;
• black;
• silver.

There are certainly more original stylistic solutions. But you will have to pay much more for them than usual. It is also customary to divide ovens:

• by energy consumption;
• overall functionality;
• by suitability for cooking exotic dishes

To make the right choice, you need to clearly separate the main functions from the secondary additions. With a serious lack of money, you can refuse from the timer, and from the spit, and from temperature probes. All the same, many chefs cook without them, getting a brilliant result. But it is worth considering the purpose for which the electric oven is bought. So, models specializing in baking and sweet dishes are simply required to have a convection fan. It provides the characteristic golden crust that gourmets value so much. Additionally, such devices have:

• different baking modes;
• dough mixing option;
• mode of the accelerated rise of the dough mass.

Important: you should pay attention to the presence of illumination when buying an electric oven for baking. The fact is that even a slightly ajar door allows cold air to pass through. And this has a bad effect on the state of the dough being prepared. But only a few consumers prefer baked dishes. Universal products are in much greater demand, with the help of which you can:

• bake;
• extinguish;
• fry;
• bake.

Such cooking modes assume that fruits, fish, berries, meat and vegetables will be loaded into the oven. Therefore, a timer and a thermostat will help to properly prepare a variety of dishes. This is just the case when it is extremely inconvenient to work without them. Setting the exact cooking time helps to avoid mistakes. Strict maintenance of temperature will allow you to achieve perfectly adjusted taste, smell and consistency of food.

Ovens for the kitchen in the country or in a country house should also be universal. However, it is even better if they are also complemented with skewers and grills. Then you can safely prepare for a holiday, a picnic or just a romantic lunch on a weekend. Roasters (frying cabinets) are chosen if they want to dry berries, fruits and vegetables, mushrooms. They will also allow you to enjoy homemade crackers. And such models do well with baking.

Industrial electric ovens deserve special attention. They are used only in food production and public catering, and not at home, but it is still worth knowing about their features. Such products can:

• fry food;
• bake bread, rolls, pies;
• bake something.

Such equipment can be used both on its own and as part of a production line. It usually performs well. In the shortest possible time, it will be possible to prepare a lot of delicious dishes and preparations.Typically industrial ovens are made from stainless steel grades. The number of working sections is from 1 to 3, and in all sections 2 or 3 levels of gratings are provided.

Returning to household ovens, it should be noted that the best of them cook food quite quickly. However, this is not achieved through large volumes, but through the use of convection. It is created artificially, and therefore the cooking time for each portion is reduced. For full-fledged everyday use, models with external burners are perfect. They allow you to replace both a free-standing oven and a hob or a full-fledged hob.

An appliance with a glass-ceramic hob can give very good results. However, the cost of such products is very high. A more economical option involves the use of simple electric burners. It is recommended that some of them be designed for forced heating. As for the power, it reaches 4 kW in some models. But don't chase excessive power. The fact is that it can overload the electrical network. It is better to focus on products with increased energy efficiency: they consume relatively little current and, moreover, achieve excellent results.

Attention should also be paid to the size of the built-in oven. Sometimes the product seems to fit in all respects, but there is not enough space for it. Less often, the opposite situation happens: the technique is delivered, but ugly gaps are formed. In some cases, it is good to use compact models (0.45 m high). Despite the increased cost in comparison with full-size counterparts, their purchase is fully justified. In terms of functionality, they are very good and, in addition, they save the place. In small apartments with low ceilings, these considerations are extremely important. The Vario grill is useful if you have to cook food with different portions. Highly specialized programs are also useful:

• defrosting cold food;
• warming up the delivered dishes;
• temperature retention.

Unconditional leadership in any rating is occupied by electric built-in ovens of firms Bosch and Siemens... Their products cover all price ranges: the simplest equipment, and the "golden mean", and the premium class. These manufacturers constantly conduct technical research and add the latest developments to their products. Ovens of companies occupy attractive positions in the middle price segment Gorenje and Electrolux... But among cheap models it is useful to pay attention to products Candy and Hotpoint-Ariston.

Among the decent inexpensive ovens I got Bosch HBN539S5... The product is manufactured in Turkish, and not in German factories, which is why it is cheaper. But this does not affect the modernity of the appearance and external attractiveness. HBN539S5 can offer the consumer 8 heating schemes, including three-dimensional airflow and variable grill sizes. The working chamber volume reaches 67 liters, and the enamel coating is applied inside. A special pizza cooking mode is provided.

Another inexpensive and very high quality oven is Gorenje BO 635E11XK... It was not without reason that the designers chose the vaulted configuration. This imitation of old-fashioned wood-burning stoves guarantees an even distribution of heat even without the use of fans. The capacity is the same as the previous model - 67 liters. The total current consumption reaches 2.7 kW. There are 9 operating modes, including convection. The oven walls are coated with a smooth and mechanically strong pyrolytic enamel.

The oven is cleaned with steam. A pair of glasses in the door are separated by a reliable thermal layer. A high-quality digital screen and a touch module are provided. However, there are no telescopic rails and the handles are not recessed.Such management is frankly inconvenient. Consumers note that the appearance of the Slovenian oven is pleasant. The modes are selected competently and allow satisfying the bulk of requests. As for the recessed handles, they write in the reviews that the products of comparable prices equipped with them are definitely worse.

It is worth taking a closer look at the electric oven. Candy FPE 209/6 X... The time-tested Italian brand is not the only advantage of this model. Despite its cheapness, the oven looks clearly more expensive than its cost. The decoration is made of stainless steel and tempered glass with a matte sheen. To compensate for the unpleasant effects of its use, a special coating is applied. It prevents fingerprints and makes it easier to deal with other types of blockages. The control system is simple: a pair of rotary knobs and a touch panel screen.

The oven can show the time. You can also set the timer settings, which is automatically turned off. But in terms of the number of modes, this product is inferior to the previous versions. The volume of the cabinet's working chamber is 65 liters; its walls are coated with a smooth and easy-to-clean coating. The total power reaches 2.1 kW, and the highest heating temperature is 245 degrees. Problems can be associated with missing tray guides and overheating of the double glass.

But in the middle price group there is Siemens HB634GBW1... The renowned German quality is emphasized by the exceptionally stylish design. Important: the described product looks best in light-colored kitchen sets. It does not match well with dark-toned items. The oven is remarkable not only for its technical perfection. Its internal volume (71 l) allows meeting the needs of even a large family that often invites guests. Hot air on four levels ensures that as much food is cooked as possible. Consumers note that the cold start option is useful. Thanks to it, you can cook frozen food without defrosting it and wasting no time. The designers have provided 13 working modes. These include:

• making homemade canned food;
• warming up the dishes;
• gentle extinguishing;
• drying products;
• preparation of the test for work.

The built-in electric oven also has attractive positions in the ratings. Vestfrost VFSM60OH... In the range of the Danish manufacturer, this is the only model related to this segment. However, it worked very well. The designers were able to achieve an outwardly strict and, moreover, stylishly looking design. The working chamber has a capacity of 69 liters. A spit and grill 1.4 kW are provided, as well as convection mode and cooling with a fan. To inform users, a 4.3-inch display is placed on the oven. The system can operate in 10 different modes. Danish developers have invested in the automation data on 150 interesting dishes, developed by experienced chefs. You can add ten favorite recipes yourself. The oven is illuminated from above and from the side, and, if necessary, is cleaned with jets of steam. There is also an optimal set of functions and shutdown in a critical situation. But you can only choose black colors.

The next model in our review is Bosch HBA43T360... It is also painted black by default. The design of the device looks strict and laconic; it is equipped with a full-fledged glass front. A combination of submersible handles and an advanced touchscreen is used for control.The oven of this model is distinguished by a well-thought-out catalytic self-cleaning system. It removes dirt from both the back wall and the sides.

The safety of this system is guaranteed for the entire period of operation of the oven. Among the 7 working modes there are static heating, grill, and convection program. Inside the working compartment with a capacity of 62 liters, the proprietary GranitEmail coating is applied. In the internal volume, the temperature can be 50-270 degrees. The triple-glazed door keeps the heat out. Telescopic guides are installed in 3 levels. Childproof protection is provided, and a highly functional clock is installed.

Now it is worth considering the premium category built-in electric ovens. In the first place among them is deservedly Gorenje + GP 979X... When creating this model, the designers opted for pyrolytic cleaning. The energy consumption is relatively low. But the design is very attractive, and control with modern displays and programmers is greatly simplified. The working chamber capacity reaches 73 liters. The Gorenje company applied in this case a very successful find - vaulted geometry. Thanks to the ventilation complex MultiFlow it is possible to achieve excellent baking of products. It is maintained even if cooking is taking place on all 5 levels at the same time. Grill format Vario and a heat probe in combination with telescopic rails make work more pleasant. The GP 979X has 16 heating modes, including yoghurt cooking, drying and several other options. The scope of delivery contains:

• lattice;
• deep baking sheet;
• a couple of small baking sheets with an enamel coating;
• glass baking sheet.

Most importantly, the door of this oven is made of 4 layers of glass and 2 heat-shielding layers. Proprietary cooling system Cooling + represents a "step forward" over conventional chillers in simpler models. Thanks to a special hinge, the door will lock smoothly. The inside of the working chamber is covered with very heat-resistant enamel. The only weakness of this model is that it is very expensive (but with such characteristics, this is just fine). Reviews noted the external beauty of the display, which shows cooking dishes in color. It is indicated that the sensor works quite quickly, and the available cooking modes are enough for the most daring idea. Food is baked for 5+. A virtuoso cooling system completely eliminates overheating of the headset. And cleaning after a pyrolytic cleaning session turns out to be very simple.

The elite group of built-in ovens also includes Bosch Serie 8... Its design is designed for a combination of classic heating and steam. As a result, you can prepare crispy dishes that retain their softness and juiciness from the inside. The process of working in the kitchen is quite simple. There are as many as three high quality displays. Each of them also has a text display option. A specially thought-out menu will automatically select the most suitable cooking modes for a wide variety of foods. The inside of the working compartment is covered with coal-colored enamel. Self-cleaning is done from the ceiling, sides and rear. There are a number of interesting modes:

• intensive heating;
• energy saving;
• gentle stewing of food;
• warming up dishes;
• raising the dough.

Another German oven from the "Major League" - Siemens HB675G0S1... The device is designed in a laconic design, traditional for the German industrial giant. A combination of black glass and unpainted stainless steel will look very good. The device consumes relatively little current. A color TFT text display is provided for control. The designers have provided 13 schemes of work. This allows you to immediately start baking frozen food, grilling pieces of various sizes. The heating force is from 30 to 300 degrees.

A special indicator shows how hot the oven is at a particular time. The working volume is 71 liters, and halogen lamps are used for its illumination. The cushioned door opens and closes softly. It is equipped with four layers of glass to prevent burns. Important: all production of this oven is concentrated in Germany itself. The functional characteristics of the product are quite decent. But telescopic guides are provided only on one level.

Another option for premium built-in ovens is Electrolux EVY 97800 AX... The cost of such a product is even lower than that of the modifications just listed. However, its characteristics are not inferior to them. What is important, both the microwave mode and the operation of the device as a conventional oven are implemented at the same high level. Cheaper products are usually not capable of this. Sensors are used for control, as well as a multilingual display. You can rely on automatic temperature adjustment, because it is regulated by a reliable electronic device. There are a number of sophisticated automatic programs for preparing different dishes. Effective child protection and indication of the remaining heat have been implemented. The original option of the Electrolux EVY 97800 AX is convection using ring heating. In microwave mode, the power reaches 1 kW. Oven capacity - 43 liters. Users, thanks to the four-layer glass in the door, are 100% protected from burns. It should be noted, however, that the backlight sometimes does not work correctly, and the surface gets dirty very easily.

Regardless of the model you choose, you must use the built-in electric oven in accordance with the rules. And even in models with intuitive control, the number of modes and the nuances of their use can create problems. No experience with simpler designs helps. But there are guidelines to avoid problems. So, before starting work, you need to check that there are no food residues and other foreign objects inside.

Initially, the oven is heated to the required temperature. If it is cold, food will not cook evenly. If baking is being prepared, then after finishing work it is left to rise for 5-10 minutes. The combination of bottom and top heating should be used carefully. The fact is that the lower heating element is always more powerful than the upper one, and therefore the heat is distributed non-uniformly. It is not difficult to get a golden brown crust in this "standard" mode. However, the bottom of the dough can be baked well if the baking sheet is placed on the lowest level. A similar program is well suited for:

• muffins;
• shortbread;
• poultry meat;
• stuffed vegetables;
• pork ribs;
• biscuits, cakes;
• cookies of any composition;
• roast;
• fish and casseroles from it.

The most intense bottom heating in combination with the usual top heating is recommended for cooking in tins. You can avoid burning food in this mode by adding water to it. This program is very good for cooking dishes in pots. If the fan is running at the same time (convection), the cooking time is reduced by 30%.It is advised to set the baking sheet to a medium level, and in some cases, reduce the heating compared to the instructions in the recipe.

In this mode, you can cook cake and casserole, pudding and fried roll, roast and some other dishes. As for the bottom heating, everything is much more interesting here. It is this mode that is familiar to owners of old ovens. Its disadvantage is long cooking time. In addition, you will have to constantly monitor the food, turn it over to avoid burning. Bottom heating is used for cooking:

• baking;
• pies with wet filling;
• canned meals.

Heating only on the upper level is suitable for food to be fried from above. The air will warm up gradually, and relatively slowly. Casseroles, risqué grills, pudding, polenta, cakes are the main dishes that can be prepared this way. To quickly cook the same casserole, lasagna, you need to use an additional fan. To cook several meals at the same time, it is best to start the ring heater and the fan at the same time.

But this mode can also be used to cook one dish. In this case, it is placed on the lower tier. Experts recommend setting the temperature slightly below normal values. Then excessive heating due to the fan will not dry out the food and will not cause burning of “capricious” foods. Important: it is not advisable to put food on the upper tier in this mode. The advantage of this solution is that there is no need to pre-heat the oven. Therefore, a little time is saved. Drying the air avoids mixing food odors. Its taste characteristics will not change either. A positive feature of the described mode is the noticeable savings in electricity. Bottom heating with air blowing by a fan is recommended for:

• puff pastry processing;
• sterilization of canned food;
• drying fruits, herbs;
• baking dishes where the softness and juiciness of the core is important.

The grill deserves special attention. This option is not available in every electric oven. It is used when you need to prepare a main course or to cover food with an appetizing crust. Important: the grill almost always runs at its highest setting. Only a few devices allow you to adjust the consumption of electricity. If thick pieces are to be fried, place the dish on the upper level. If their thickness is relatively small, you can place the baking sheet on the tier below. Since grilling often involves the use of a grate, you will have to put a tray on the bottom or wash the oven thoroughly after finishing cooking. To avoid the appearance of smoke, fumes, you need to pour a little water into the pan.

But, in addition to the correct use of functions, there are a number of culinary subtleties in dealing with ovens. Often people get lost and cannot understand on which tier a particular dish should be prepared. Then you should put it on the middle level. This will avoid scorching and at the same time avoiding leaving raw, uncooked areas. To make a golden brown crust, you need to raise the baking sheet higher for a few minutes at the very end.

When you have already gained experience, you can try one of the latest trends in cooking. - many hours of processing at a minimum temperature. For this, the products are placed down, setting the mode with the lowest bottom heating. Important: the pizza can be heated even harder, which will even better affect its qualities. In any case, it is worth moving the baking sheet slightly away from the back wall. If he gets up close, air circulation will be disrupted.As for omelets and meringues, it is recommended to cook them without using convection. Such modes can ruin even a very good dish.

It is equally important to remember about the utensils used. Special molds made of glass, ceramics and cast iron will preserve the taste of food and will not contaminate it with foreign substances. And for baking, it is best to use those baking sheets that come with the oven. If they are not enough, you must first find out what options the manufacturer recommends, and then go shopping. If you are preparing a juicy, moisture-laden dish, deep containers are best.

Ceramic pots are handy, but they are placed in a cold oven and then gently reheated. Ceramics can burst from rapid heating. Therefore, its use imposes a number of restrictions on the preparation of dishes that require intense heat. Cast iron pans are ideal for casseroles. Silicone molds are recommended for baking. But there is no way more versatile than using foil. However, you cannot bake in aluminum foil and in a chef's sleeve:

• soft vegetables;
• any fruits;
• grains and cereals;
• mushrooms.

These types of food are easy to digest and lose their flavor. Regardless of what is packed in the bundle, the shiny edge should be turned inward. Then the required temperature will be maintained for a longer time. Pieces of fish and meat raw materials are placed as carefully as possible, because they have sharp parts that can easily break through thin aluminum. To avoid loss of juice, it is required to firmly connect the edges of the foil. Of course, you don't need to feel sorry for her when bookmarking. It is even advisable to use a double layer. Typically, the temperature when using foil wraps is 200 degrees (unless otherwise indicated by the authors of the recipe). The duration of cooking meat dishes varies from 40 to 60 minutes, fish dishes - from 20 to 45 minutes, and some types of poultry - up to 180 minutes.

Do not be afraid of using foil, even with very strong heating. In the course of a series of laboratory tests, it has been proven that it can withstand temperatures up to 600 degrees. As for plastic cooking bags and special sleeves, the limit is 230 degrees. The sleeve allows you to reduce the cooking time by 30-50% compared to baking in foil. However, you need to carefully choose these products so as not to buy toxic material.

You can also cook soup or porridge in the oven. For soups, dishes made of ceramics or other refractory materials are used. It is tightly closed with a lid and processed for 90 minutes at 200 degrees. It should turn out to be no less tasty than in a real Russian stove. After switching off, you will need to darken the dish for about 55-60 minutes. A water bath is used to work with soufflés, pâtés and whimsical casseroles.

The oven can be useful for stewing a variety of foods. At the same time, water is used a maximum of 1/3, but they are constantly monitored so that it does not boil away. You can stew both fresh and fried vegetables. Preheat the oven for about 20 minutes before simmering. It is allowed to use broth, milk or kefir instead of water. It is important to remember a few more recommendations to avoid problems when using electric ovens. For novice cooks, while there is no experience, it is better to follow the directions of the recipe, even in the smallest details. Or refuse it if something is impossible to do. To prevent the stir-fry sauce from burning, use the smallest suitable form. And it's even better if sauce is periodically poured into it.

You can prevent abnormal draining of meat by taking pieces weighing 1 kg or more. Red meat is kept at room temperature for 60 minutes before being sent to the oven. Salt is added in the middle of cooking, otherwise the dish will not cook well.If you need to fry small fish, you need to set a high temperature and keep it stable. Large fish are fried with medium heat (but this should also be stable).

For information on how to properly cook in an electric oven, see the next video.