How to Choose the Right Oven for Your Kitchen: A Complete Guide
Choosing an oven is one of the most important appliance decisions for your kitchen. The right oven transforms the cooking experience; the wrong one frustrates you every time you use it. This guide covers every type, key features and how to decide what is right for your home.
Types of Ovens Available in Australia
Freestanding Oven with Cooktop
Also called a freestanding range or stove. The oven and cooktop are one integrated unit on legs. It sits between your benchtops. The simplest option for most kitchens — install it and you are done. Available in 60 cm and 90 cm widths.
Underbench (Slide-in) Oven
A built-in oven designed to sit in a floor-level cavity between kitchen cabinets. Usually paired with a separate cooktop mounted into the bench above. Gives a cleaner, built-in look.
Wall Oven
Installed at eye level in a cabinet. Much easier to load and unload without bending. Many kitchens have both a wall oven (for baking and roasting) and a separate steam oven or microwave combination unit above or below it. Premium option for renovations and new kitchen builds.
Microwave Combination Oven
Combines a conventional oven with a microwave in one unit. Space-saving and versatile. Good for smaller kitchens where counter space is limited.
Fuel Type: Gas, Electric or Induction
Gas Oven
Preferred by many professional cooks for the cooktop, but gas ovens can produce uneven heat compared to electric. Modern gas ovens with fan-forced settings have improved significantly.
Electric (Conventional and Fan-Forced)
Electric ovens produce very even, consistent heat. Fan-forced (convection) ovens circulate hot air for even faster, more even cooking across multiple shelves. The most popular type in Australian homes.
Induction Cooktop + Electric Oven
Many buyers now choose an induction cooktop (precise, fast, safe) with an electric fan-forced oven. This combination offers the best of both worlds for modern cooking.
Key Features to Look For
- Fan-forced / convection: Essential for even cooking across multiple shelves. Almost all new electric ovens include this.
- Pyrolytic self-cleaning: Heats to 500 degrees to incinerate grease and food residue, turning it to ash you wipe away. Worth paying for — makes oven cleaning effortless.
- Cavity size: Measured in litres. Standard 60 cm ovens range from 60 to 80 litres. For families who cook large roasts or multiple dishes, aim for 70 litres or more.
- Multi-function cooking modes: Good ovens offer 8 or more functions including conventional, fan-forced, grill, fan grill, bottom heat, pizza mode and more.
- Touch control or knobs: Touch controls look sleek but can be less intuitive. Knobs with a digital display are often more practical for everyday use.
- Timer and auto-cook: Allows you to set the oven to start and stop automatically — very useful for time-based cooking.
60 cm vs 90 cm Oven
60 cm ovens are the standard for most kitchens. 90 cm ovens are significantly larger and suit large families, frequent entertainers and serious home cooks. 90 cm units are also more expensive and require a wider cabinet or floor space.
How Much Should You Spend?
- Under $600: Entry-level electric ovens. Solid basics, fewer functions.
- $600 to $1200: Mid-range with fan-forced, timer, digital display. Excellent everyday performers.
- $1200 to $2500: Premium with pyrolytic cleaning, 8+ functions, touch controls. Worth it for frequent cooks.
- $2500+: High-end European brands (Miele, AEG, Smeg). Exceptional build quality and features for serious cooks.
Shop Ovens at Oceania Appliances
We carry a full range of ovens from leading brands including Westinghouse, Fisher & Paykel, Smeg, Bosch, Miele and AEG. Many models are available as graded units at prices well below RRP. Free delivery across Sydney on every order. Visit our Wetherill Park showroom or shop online.