Ovens - the essential guide

The oven is arguably the most important kitchen appliance so make the right choice with our expert tips

How to buy a fan oven

What is it?
Also called convection ovens, these have a fan (or two) set into the rear wall and surrounded by
a heating element. Many have a grill and a defrost setting, too.

Pros
They heat up quickly and ensure an even cooking temperature throughout. As fan ovens can reduce cooking time by around 10 per cent, they save energy and offer good value.

Cons
Convection cooking can dry food out, particularly cakes.

What's new?
‘Standard fan ovens are not changing in performance terms but, as customers want the flexibility of extra space, we are seeing models with larger capacities,' says Vic Sinclair, buyer for John Lewis.

Cost
From £169 for the OIC2100 fan oven in white, Beko.

Head to
Beko, Electrolux, John Lewis, Samsung, Zanussi.

Above right: OIF22300X electric built- in fan oven, £379, Beko.

Chosen by House to home