Self-cleaning, built-in air fryers and interior cameras so you can watch your salmon bake from your smartphone?! The only thing ovens can’t do these days is order your groceries for you (stay tuned for that). So, it feels like a lot when trying to decide what oven is right for you. Do you just go for the basics or is it worth the splurge for the fancy, techy extras? Which comes first when designing a kitchen: the oven or the cabinetry? And what does self-cleaning even mean? We asked the experts, all of your most burning questions so you don’t have to blow a brain fuse when you start perusing all the oven options.
I’m a basic cook, what do I need in an oven?
“Even if you’re not planning on entering fan-forced (or convection) cooking functionality is non-negotiable when shopping for a new electric oven. Faster and more energy efficient, fan-forced cooking will also set you up for power savings,” says cooking buyer at The Good Guys, Tania Grillinzoni. “Some other must-have features for home cooks are pizza mode and grill settings for easy eats,