The kitchen is the heart of any home. Whether it’s entertaining for your closest friends and loved ones, or whipping up an all-star meal for one, the kitchen is a connective and harmonizing space.
After all, many homeowners might have already noticed how much time they spend in their kitchens. With the kitchen often being the focal point of a home for dining and entertaining, it’s essential that cooking appliances match the room’s style, swagger, and function. With more and more savvy and on-trend oven ranges popping up in the latest magazines, influencer collaborations, social media ads, and home renovation programs, a top-notch oven range is certainly the star of your home’s show.
A sturdy oven can elevate any kitchen for years to come. The type of oven you choose will influence the way you dine at home. From meal prep to cuisine variety, the kind of range that best fits your space will impact each and every meal you craft in the home.
Considering your kitchen’s size and shape, and your discretionary budget, homeowners have a large selection of ovens varying by price, size, function, and personal needs. And, when it comes to selecting the oh-so-right appliance for your kitchen, personal taste and trends are another factor to consider. With a wide assortment of color schemes, finishes, and tech features to mix in, there’s a lot to keep in mind during the selection process. Whether your style leans towards sleek and modern with aluminum finishes, or pops of bright yellow colored appliances in your retro-themed kitchen, there’s an oven range for every kind of chef.
Remember, aesthetics are just as important as function and longevity. While an appliance may look like the cream of the crop, if it doesn’t have the tech features you need or a warranty that suits your lifestyle, you’ll be spending much more money in the long run.
If you’re looking to level up your cooking skills or upgrading a current unit, consider these appliances that will elevate your kitchen. Below are the best picks for serving up a savory meal in your abode.
Before You Browse
Start with the basics: kitchen size, budget, must-have features, colors, and product styles. Once you compile a short list of price points, styles, and oven functions that suit your daily usage, you’re ready to roll.
Before diving headfirst into products on the market, don’t forget to consider additional costs for installation, warranties, and maintenance. By outlining all possible costs and repairs, any homeowner will be able to choose a wallet-friendly appliance without hidden fees down the road.
Piping Hot Stand Alone Oven or Wall Oven?
When considering a new oven for your kitchen, it’s also important to note if you’re looking for a stand alone oven or a wall oven. A stand alone unit features a cooktop range on top with the oven below in one appliance. A wall oven is commonly found installed alongside other appliances, such as microwaves, and the cooktop range is placed elsewhere in the kitchen. Landing on which type of appliance best suits your cooking flow and day-to-day use will make a world of difference for any homeowner.
Make it a Single or a Double Oven
Moving on from the two oven types above, many homeowners might opt for a single or double oven. If you’re an entertaining maven, a double oven will provide excellent double duty for large parties and family-style dining. Single ovens are superb selections for cozier homes low on kitchen space, but also are excellent choices for casual cookers, smaller families, and vacation homes.
Power up with Gas or Electric
Your home’s energy source will ultimately be the deciding factor in choosing a gas or electric powered appliance. However, some homeowners might also opt for a “dual fuel” device. What is a dual fuel device? It’s a stand alone oven that contains a gas-powered cooktop but an electric powered oven.
Not sure which appliance is the best for you and your home? First, review your gas and electric bills, your overall time spent cooking, and your power preference, and move from there.
Smart Ovens
Technology is making great strides in the kitchen. In general, a smart home product has Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi capabilities that allow a person to control a device from a smartphone or tablet. Therefore, the homeowner can input an action or make changes from another part of the house, or not in the home at all!
So, what does smart tech mean for ovens and your kitchen? It means that on a basic level, you can set and deploy cooking settings before you even enter the kitchen. For example, homeowners can save time by preheating an oven from a smart device while working on another task. Smart oven features can also extend to cooking controls and temperature settings for various dishes. Plus, these tech functions can also encompass daily maintenance with self-cleaning controls. Talk about multi-tasking and saving time!
Finishing Culinary Touches
Before you nail down the totally-you oven for your totally-you home, don’t forget to lock in a few other small but mindful details.
If you’re looking to make a new oven the gem of the kitchen, keep in mind accessories that can elevate your cooking experience. From add-ons like baking trays, thermometers, and cooking racks, these products are small but mighty. When choosing the right oven brand, consider other tools of the trade directly from the manufacturer, as they will be made to scale and size and function seamlessly in your new oven.
Stephanie Valente is a Content Director and Editor in Brooklyn, NY. She’s previously held writing and social media positions at Barkbox, Men’s Journal, and currently works at a full-service advertising agency. She’s a self-confessed home and design enthusiast. Stephanie is an award-winning poet and fiction writer. When she’s offline, you can find her taking a yoga class, running, hanging out with her rescue dog Pepper. Find her on stephanievalente.com.
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