Gas Oven Buying Guide

Gas Oven Buying Guide

The Basics: Gas Ovens

A built-in gas oven, or wall oven, is fitted into its own place in a wall in the kitchen and is usually paired with a separate cooktop unit. These models provide more space in the kitchen and offer more options as to how a kitchen can be laid out. They are great for busy kitchens for the times when more than one person has to be there to cook. Since these gas ovens are built into their own space, they are also usually placed at a more convenient height than the standard range oven. For people who cook lots of food or prefer a second oven, a gas wall oven can be a versatile addition to a range.

Gas ovens do a good job of allowing foods to retain their moisture and will not dry out food as much as some electric ovens. These models are constructed in a way that they hold most of the heat at the bottom of the unit, so to properly brown foods make sure to rotate the food from top to bottom racks; however, fan assisted models move the heated air around, so foods need not be rotated for even browning. If you are cooking several items and using up the racks, it is recommended that you rotate the foods. Though not found on most models, top broiling via an internal grill is offered on some gas wall ovens. Top broiling also helps brown foods across the top. Ovens with an internal grill will need access to an electrical outlet to power the grill.

Most gas wall ovens come in single-oven units; however, there are models -- expensive ones -- that offer double ovens in one unit. As the name implies, double ovens are two distinct ovens stacked one on top the other, and each has its own door. These allow for more versatility, as you can bake in one oven and grill in the other, or cook two completely different dishes at different temperatures. Some expensive models now come in swing-out French doors in a variety of popular sizes, such as 24, 30 and 36 inches. Although for many years gas wall ovens have remained stagnant as far as what features they had offered, newer models now are coming out in different sizes, with better features and more sophisticated technology, and also are available in more colors and types of finishes to fit in many differently designed kitchens.

How to Shop

Here are five questions to ask when shopping for a gas wall oven:

Do gas wall ovens all fit one size or are there different options?

Gas wall ovens used to fit only one size: a width of 24 inches. But today, models are offered in a variety of sizes. If you're building a home or renovating your kitchen, you may be happy to know that you can build in a more spacious oven, with widths of up to 30 or 36 inches. Double ovens, which take up more space, are also starting to become available in gas models. The bad news is that although these larger gas models are superior to earlier models, they are the most expensive on the market and don't come with a self-cleaning mode.

What features are offered on gas wall ovens?

Unfortunately, features on gas ovens are very limited when compared to what electric ovens offer, unless you are looking to purchase a professional or commercial-style oven for the home. Perhaps the most important decision you may have to make concerning gas wall ovens is whether to buy a manual-clean or self-cleaning model. Convection is found only on the most expensive units, but many of these units do not come with a self-cleaning mode. When it comes to lighting, much of it is substandard in gas ovens. Halogen bulbs have not reached the bulk of the built-in gas oven market yet. You will find them only on the most expensive contenders. Automatic-on incandescent bulbs are about the best you can expect on the lower priced models -- and some of the ovens on the market don't even offer that convenience.

Do all gas wall ovens come with a broiler?

Cheap, affordable models do not offer the latest technology when it comes to broiling. Many units have shallow broilers in a lower drawer. Very few offer a full-size lower broiler that make it possible to top broil casseroles and dishes that would not otherwise fit in a traditional broiler drawer. Some offer internal grills that need access to an electric outlet in order to work. The best broiling results come from the infrared broilers found on the most expensive ovens. These broilers are very powerful with burner outputs in the 15,000 Btu range. For easier cleaning, some broilers are made of ceramic or are glass enclosed.

What can I expect from the different price ranges of ovens?

The most expensive gas ovens are the commercial-style models that come in stainless steel or other heavy-duty finishes. These ovens offer convection, bright halogen lighting, infrared broilers and bake elements with outputs as high as 30,000 Btu. Expect to pay from $2100 for a 24-inch single model and up to $4900 for a 36-inch double-oven unit. There are not many models offered in the mid-price range of $700 to $1000. There is 30-inch unit from Jenn-Air and a number of 24-inch self-cleaning models from Kenmore, GE, Frigidaire and Maytag. Some models offer the convenience of broiling in the main oven, with storage in the drawer below. At the least costly end of the spectrum, you can expect to find simple manual-clean gas ovens that will require some scrubbing. These will offer lower broiler drawer compartments but lack the convenience of a storage drawer. Very few models still have analog dial controls; most models, even at this lowest price point, will offer sleek, updated, electronic touchpad controls.

What kind of warranty can I expect on a new gas wall oven?

Warranties on gas ovens are almost always one year. A warranty that is more extensive is unusual, but some manufacturers may offer warranties on specific parts of the oven for more than one year. Even the most expensive of gas wall ovens -- those that cost in excess of $4000 -- have bumper-to-bumper warranties of only one year.