Wall ovens offer lots of flexibility that you won’t find in a range. They can be installed on just about any wall in your kitchen, and at any height, so you don’t have to bend over to place a roast into the cavity.
The majority of wall ovens are electric, and that’s what we test. In our evaluations of ranges, we generally find that electric ovens perform slightly better than gas, particularly at broiling. Plus, you don’t need gas or propane service at your house to install one—an electrician can run an electric line to anywhere in your kitchen, typically for a few hundred dollars.
Available wall oven widths are 24, 27, 30, and 36 inches. The most common are 30 inches wide, so that’s what we test. If you’re replacing a wall oven, it’s crucial that you measure the wall oven and the cabinet cutout before you shop.
Fuel
Electric wall ovens are overwhelmingly the most popular type.
Capacity
Of the single wall ovens we tested, usable capacity scores (which differ from the figure supplied by the manufacturer) range from Fair to Excellent. The smallest in our tests is about 2 cubic feet, and the largest is more than 3 cubic feet.
Most sold are 30-inch-wide electric models, and that’s what we test. They come with single or double ovens. With a model in mind, check the manufacturer’s online manual to find exact cutout dimensions for the wall oven.
Make sure that the controls are easy to see and reach, and that the door is at a height that prevents unnecessary bending.
Having two ovens lets you simultaneously prepare different foods at different temperatures.
The more features on a wall oven the higher the price. However, some of these features boost safety and convenience.
Lets you disable the oven controls. Recommended for households with children.
It lets you select times for the oven to start and stop cooking, but there are very few foods you'd want to put in a cold oven and let sit until the delayed start.
The first is a single door with hinges on one side. French-door models (shown) have two doors that separate in the middle and open outward. Both types prevent you from having to reach over an open door to retrieve that 30-pound turkey.
Many midpriced and higher-priced wall ovens have one or more convection fans that circulate hot air, which can reduce cooking time for some foods.
Most electric and some gas ovens have it. This feature offers adjustable settings for broiled foods that need slower or faster cooking, instead of only "on" (typically 500° F) and "off."