A Guide to Choosing the Right Oven in Singapore
Whether it’s for baking up a delectable batch of chocolate chip cookies or preparing a scrumptious serving of balsamic chicken bake, your oven is the kitchen appliance that will play a pivotal role in determining whether your dish comes out as desired. While it may be easy to underestimate the importance of an oven, those who have had the unfortunate experience of using a subpar oven know that having a reliable one can make all the difference.
If you’re in the market for a new oven, there are several factors you should keep in mind to ensure you find the best possible option for your baking or cooking needs. Here are some of the more important things you should consider when shopping for a new oven in Singapore:
Size and Capacity
One of the first things you need to think about when searching for a new oven is the size and capacity required. Ovens come in a wide range of sizes, so it’s important to select one that will fit comfortably in your kitchen without taking up too much space.
If you have a large family or entertain guests often, opting for a larger capacity oven will give you the ability to cook multiple dishes at once, which can be a major time-saver. Conversely, if you live alone or have a small family, choosing a smaller oven may be more practical and cost-effective.
Another thing to keep in mind in this regard would be the dimensions of your current pans or most commonly used baking sheets. To save on possibly having to replace these items, make sure you get an oven that can accommodate them such that your purchase doesn’t necessitate additional purchases of other kitchen tools.
Heating Method
There are two primary types of heating methods used in ovens: convection and radiant.
Convection Heating
This type of heating is achieved through the use of a fan that circulates hot air around the oven cavity. This method is ideal for baking as it results in more even cooking. It also tends to cook food faster than other methods, so if you’re looking to save time in the kitchen, this may be the option for you.
Radiant Heating
More often referred to as toaster ovens, radiant heating ovens use heat lamps or emitters that are located either on the top or bottom (or both) of the oven. Radiant heat is best suited for dishes that require consistent low heat over an extended period of time, such as slow-cooked roasts.
While toaster ovens have been the traditional type of oven for many years, convection ovens are now becoming increasingly popular in many households, and for a good reason — convection ovens offer a number of advantages over their radiant heating counterparts.
First and foremost, convection ovens cook food more evenly. This is due to the fact that the hot air is circulated throughout the entire oven cavity, as opposed to being concentrated in one area. As aforementioned, this allows all sides of your dish to be cooked thoroughly and prevents any hotspots that can often occur with toaster ovens.
Additionally, convection cooking typically results in shorter cooking times, making it the better option to go for to save time in the kitchen. Many people also find that convection ovens are simply easier to use. The consistent heat and circulated air make it easier to achieve desired results, even for novice cooks. So, if you’re not confident in your cooking abilities just yet, this type of oven may give you the boost of confidence you need to try out new recipes.
Power Source
Another thing to consider when shopping for a new oven is the power source. The most common type of power source for ovens is electricity, as this offers a consistent and reliable heat source. Ovens that use gas as their primary power source are also available but not as common.
If you’re set on getting a gas oven, be aware that these models often require professional installation, which can end up being quite costly in Singapore. Additionally, gas ovens can be more difficult to operate than electric ovens, so if you’re not confident in your ability to use one properly, it may be best to stick with the latter.
Additional Features and Accessories
In addition to the basics, there are also a number of additional features that you may want to look for when purchasing a new oven. Some examples of these features include:
- Auto cut-off timers — these are great for not just making sure your bakes don’t get burnt but also ensuring safety and the prevention of accidental fires.
- Thermostat temperature — this lets you set and maintain a consistent temperature for the entire heating process, which can be essential for certain baking recipes.
- Crumb tray — a removable tray that helps to keep the oven clean by catching any food debris or crumbs that may fall during cooking.
- Grill rotisserie — a feature that allows you to roast meats and vegetables by cooking them on a rotating spit.
Glass Doors
Although seemingly inconsequential, having glass doors on your oven is an important aspect that must be prioritised. As any chef or baker knows all too well, it’s always best to avoid opening the door of your oven to check on your food whenever it can be avoided.
Following this rule helps you prevent heat from escaping and causing the internal temperature of your oven to drop temporarily, which can affect the rise of your bakes, overall cooking time, and the resultant quality of your finished dish. Having glass doors lets you abide by this rule more easily, as you won’t have to open your oven to check on the state of your bakes.
Colour and Design
Of course, all the functionality in the world doesn’t have to come at the expense of aesthetics. When shopping for an oven, be sure to consider your overall kitchen aesthetic and pick something with the right colours and design to complement your kitchen countertop.
At Kenwood Singapore, we keep things simple yet stylish with our electric ovens for baking and cooking, such that our customers can indulgently admire them as they do their magic while looking great sitting on kitchen countertops of any aesthetic.
Price and Budget
Finally, the price of the oven should match the budget you’re willing to allocate for the features you find the most useful and suitable for your nuanced needs. This may possibly mean cutting back on redundancies such as self-cleaning functions and the likes and keeping to ovens that are streamlined in their features to solely focus on enriching your baking and cooking experiences while enhancing the results.
Believing in the quality of unparalleled performance over the quantity of flashy features, we at Kenwood offer the best of electric ovens by keeping things streamlined yet sophisticated.
Our Toaster Oven 10L featuring a compact build, removable crumb tray, thermostat temperature, indicator light, and 30-minute auto cut-off timer, retails at just S$59.90 when you buy it online.
We also have the Electric Convection Oven with non-stick sides for easy cleaning, a slide-out crumb tray for easy removal, a 60-minute auto cut-off timer, and a rotisserie for cooking poultry and meat that retails at S$189.00.
As for those who need something that caters to larger volumes, we have the Electric Convection Oven 32L that features all of the above in a durable stainless-steel front and outer for all your baking and cooking needs, retailing online at S$329.00.
Shop Kenwood Electric Ovens
Whether it’s an electric toaster oven or a convection oven you’re looking for, you can’t go wrong with Kenwood Singapore’s line-up of options. Trusted worldwide for sophistication in their technology, functionality, and design, our electric ovens are the perfect baking appliances for creating mouth-watering cakes, pastries, or any other baked dish you can think of.
Buy an electric oven from Kenwood Singapore today and enjoy the assurance that the oven you get is made with both durability and performance in mind. And if you find yourself torn between two or more choices, simply get in touch with our live baking advisors giving complimentary consultation sessions. Our advisors are here to help you with anything and everything to do with baking — making a well-informed purchase of an oven that best suits your needs being no exception in any shape or form.
Shop Kenwood online today, or visit any of our official distributors in Singapore to get your hands on the best electric ovens for baking and cooking.