Baking is indeed one of the best healing mechanisms that not only take away your stress but is also one of the most fun activities around. If you are opening a small baking business from home or are just willing to kickstart your baking hobby and serve cookies to your loved ones, this article is definitely for you.
In this article, we underline the top, best-reviewed ovens that offer the best results in terms of heating and temperature control. We also look at the auto cook options that each of these ovens provides and analyze WHY they are better than the other ovens being sold in the market as of now.
Best Reviewed Ovens for Baking Cakes
1. Panasonic FlashXpress Oven
If you are on the lookout for an oven that cooks faster than the average oven, this is just the oven for you. Not only does this Panasonic model have a compact countertop, but it is also installed with enhanced infrared heaters that cook approximately 30% faster than the average convection oven.
Preheating is also not required before you put the food in because of the advanced convection. This makes your baking experience really simple.
Panasonic FlashXpress comes with an inner tray that is square-shaped. If you are looking to prepare pizza, this tray is the right fit for you. The diameter of the tray is measured to be around 9 inches and can fit up to four slices of bread.
It comes with a removable crumb tray which makes the cleaning process really easy. Plus you get a bright and clean interior so that you can keep a watch on your food being cooked.
The oven is fairly easy to operate too. There are 6 preset buttons in the menu section. If you press any of these, the machine calculates the heating time for you and sounds a beep when the food is ready.
Features:
- Cooking power of 1300 watts
- Height 4.1 inch and Width 10.2 inch
- Temperature control
- See Through glass door
- Auto cook menu has 6 preset buttons
- Clear interior lighting
2. Breville BOV450XL Mini Smart Oven
You want an oven, but you also want it to be compact so that it fits that small space on your countertop. Don’t worry, we got just what you need! Breville BOV450XL is an ultra-compact mini smart oven which means that its compact-sized design takes the minimum space and fits anywhere easily. Due to its compact nature, this oven is also easily transportable.
It evenly bakes and cooks toasts, pizzas and cookies and gives them a sumptuous texture. The heating system is smart, meaning that it evens out the heat distribution within the cooking cavity. This quality makes the oven extremely precise and stable.
There are 8 preset cooking options available in the menu bar. These adjust the time, heating and temperature inside the oven so you have a lot of baking options.
But as you might be led to believe, the compact design does not stand as a disadvantage. The oven holds an inner tray that is up to 11- inch wide and can hold four slices of bread together. The LCD timer measures the cooking time of the food and is easy to read. The walls of the cooking cavity are non-sticky so you don’t have to worry about making a mess while cleaning.
Features:
- Height 10.5 inches and width 17.7 inch
- 8 preset cooking options
- Baking power of 1800 watts
- LCD backlight
- Non-sticky food cavity
3. BLACK+DECKER 02648008504 Countertop Convection Toaster Oven
Convection ovens are renowned for their even heat distribution system. Unlike conventional ovens that do not have fans, these ovens are pre-installed with fans that distribute heat evenly, making it easier for food to be cooked. These are also time-efficient. Black Decker is all of this and more!
Black Decker has been specially optimized to make your home experience of oven cooking and baking as simple as it can be. The cooking functions present in the menu tab stretch up to 8, letting you cook a large variety of food. You can bake, broil, make cookies, pizza, toast, bagel and much more with these options.
It is almost impossible to find an oven that meets all your needs. But Black + Decker is one such oven that is not only spacious but is also budget-friendly. The extensive interior has a two-storeyed rack system and fits trays that are 12 inches wide.
The rack system not only offers more space for extra food but also helps you to determine how much you want to heat the dish. For instance, if you want, you can place the food right below the broiler.
Since this oven comes without any substantial limitations, it is best that you try and figure out what cooking options suit you best by experimenting.
Features:
- Non-stick interior
- Easy cleaning
- Two-storey rack system
- 8 auto cook modes
- Convection heater baking
- 12-inches wide
- The crumb tray is removable
4. Oster Countertop Convection Oven
Coming back to comfortable, compact countertop ovens, Oster Countertop is the oven of your dreams! Not only does it provide you with the convenience of countertop cooking, but it also comes with an inbuilt convection system. It distributes heat evenly, paving the way for faster and easier baking.
The large interior design of the Oster gives you a scope for extra added space when you take it out on holidays. You can use up that extra space for baking cakes and cookies for a large number of people.
The oven is big enough to fit two whole pizzas as well as about 16-18 slices of bread, a roast or even a whole rotisserie chicken.
There are two storeys with adjustable trays so you can customize the heat and temperature for your food. Like induction cookers, this oven comes with preset digital options for various food items such as cakes, pizza and toast so you do not need to worry about timing your food. If you are an amateur baker, this is the oven for you.
The auto-shutoff feature lets you know when your food is ready to be taken out of the oven. This feature also saves a lot of energy.
Features:
- Countertop convection
- Cooking power of 1500 watts
- Included broiler rack and baking pan
- Auto-shutoff
- Fits 18 slices of bread
5. Calphalon Quartz Heat Countertop Toaster Oven
As the name suggests, the Calphalon Toaster Oven comes with a quartz heat system that allows the food to be cooked under 40% more heat. This allows faster and more efficient cooking. The evened out heat makes the food crispy and consistent. The quartz heating system also preheats the interior of the oven before usage, thereby saving a lot of cooking time.
There are cooking options on the menu board that extend up to 11 preset buttons. The oven offers a wide range of options from baking, broiling, roasting, reheating, warming cookies, pizza, bagel and toast. The oven also enables dehydrating!
The internal space is large enough to fit a 12-inch pizza and you can toast 18 slices of bread together.
The smart display of the oven helps in your interaction with the oven in terms of setting temperature and heat control. The innovative LCD helps in tracking the progress of the food being cooked. The backlight enables you to watch over the food.
The dimensions of the interior are 21.5 x 17.8 x 14.7 inches respectively. The exterior is built of stainless steel so as to provide you with an easier scope for cleaning.
It comes with an additional supply of a baking pan, dehydrator rack as well as a pizza tray.
Features:
- Large interior
- LCD with high contrast
- Backlighting for a better view
- Stainless steel exterior
- 11 preset options
- Included pizza and baking pans
Buyer’s Guide
There are a number of factors that you, as an active consumer, should consider before investing money in an oven that best suits your needs.
Size
The size of your kitchen greatly determines the size of the oven that you need to buy. If you have a small compact space, you will want your oven to be a small-sized countertop oven.
Another factor that needs consideration is the number of members in your family. There is no point in buying a full-sized oven if you only have a nuclear family with 3 to 4 members. The most commonly used oven has a capacity of about 20 to 25 litres.
Function
While you want the best oven for yourself, you need to determine the kind of functions that you would like your microwave to perform. Many ovens can perform a variety of cooking functions that range from 4 to 8 preset cooking functions that are pre-installed in the oven.
If you are in need of a multifunctional oven, you may opt for convection ovens with 8 to11 preset options. These ovens also minimize the need for other cooking accessories because of their multifunctionality.
Brand
Some of the best brands in the oven market are IFB, Panasonic, Haier, Godrej, Samsung, Morphy Richards and others alike.
Since these companies are well-trusted by customers, you can rest assured of bringing home the best oven with an extended warranty and satisfactory customer service.
Auto-cooking
A number of ovens in recent times come with pre-installed auto cooking menys to make it easier for amateur cooks. All you need to do is select the food item and the oven will do its magic, cooking the dish for you. It will adjust the temperature, power and time respectively.
Always read the instructions for these ovens and see the food recipes available for the specific oven you are considering.
Power
As should be evident, the size of the oven greatly determines its power. While smaller ovens have lesser power, they consume lesser watts. This means that the food takes a longer time to get cooked.
However, there is a recent rise of convection ovens with heater fans that allow the heating to even out, thereby allowing the food to be evenly cooked. Convection ovens also help in reducing the cooking time and save a lot of energy.
FAQs
How do I determine the right baking pan to use in a convection oven?
When using a convection oven, it is important to choose the right baking pan to ensure that your food cooks evenly and turns out perfectly. Here are some tips for choosing the right baking pan for your convection oven:
- Use light-colored pans: Light-colored baking pans reflect heat more efficiently than dark-colored pans, which can absorb heat and cause uneven cooking.
- Choose pans with low sides: Baking pans with low sides allow for better air circulation, which is important for convection cooking.
- Use pans with a flat bottom: Pans with a flat bottom will sit evenly on the oven rack and provide even heat distribution.
- Avoid using pans with a rim or edge: Pans with a rim or edge can block the flow of hot air in a convection oven, which can lead to uneven cooking.
- Use pans made of materials that conduct heat well: Good options for baking pans in a convection oven include stainless steel, aluminum, and ceramic.
- Consider the size of the pan: Choose a pan that is the appropriate size for the food you are cooking. Overcrowding the pan can lead to uneven cooking and longer cook times.
Should I use a gas or an electric oven for baking?
Both gas and electric ovens can be used for baking, but each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Here are some factors to consider when choosing between a gas or electric oven for baking:
Gas oven:
Advantages:
- Gas ovens provide a moist heat that is good for cooking and baking dishes that require a lot of moisture, such as roasts and casseroles.
- Gas ovens heat up quickly, which can save time.
- Gas is often less expensive than electricity in some areas.
Disadvantages:
- Gas ovens can be less precise than electric ovens, which can make it more difficult to achieve consistent baking results.
- Gas ovens may not distribute heat as evenly as electric ovens, which can result in uneven baking.
- Gas ovens may require more frequent cleaning due to the production of combustion byproducts.
Electric oven:
Advantages:
- Electric ovens are known for their consistent and even heat distribution, which can help ensure consistent baking results.
- Electric ovens offer precise temperature control, which is important for baking delicate items like cakes and pastries.
- Electric ovens often have self-cleaning features that make cleaning easier.
Disadvantages:
- Electric ovens can take longer to heat up than gas ovens.
- Electric ovens can produce a dry heat that may not be as good for cooking and baking dishes that require moisture.
- Electric ovens may be more expensive to operate than gas ovens, depending on local energy costs.
Ultimately, the choice between a gas or electric oven for baking comes down to personal preference and the type of dishes you plan to bake. If you bake a lot of delicate items that require precise temperature control, an electric oven may be the better choice. If you prefer the moist heat of a gas oven and bake a lot of dishes that require a lot of moisture, a gas oven may be the better choice.
Which is better – conventional or fan baking?
When you are choosing between an oven with a fan or conventional settings, you should opt for conventional since it helps in baking for a steady baking process. Fan based oven enables faster cooking and while it reduces time and energy consumption, it also increases the risks of burnt food. Even if you are considering fan baking, you must drop the temperature below 20°C.
Conclusion
Ovens provide a great way of cooking and preparing a huge variety of food in a given time. Adding to this, these are sturdy, long-lasting kitchen accessories and because of that, a lot of thinking is needed before you buy them. Not all brands are trustworthy, and not all products are reliable for your everyday usage.
Choosing the right brand does not only help you in getting your money’s worth, but you are also likely to be very pleased with the product.
With this article, we hope to have provided you with better knowledge about ovens in general. We have also marked out the best ovens to choose from. However, you should always experiment by yourself to know which oven suits you the best.
Don’t miss the following ovens available on Amazon:
