How much cooking space do you need when buying a new oven?

When it comes to domestic appliances it can be argued that an oven is one of the most important types of appliances you can own in your home. The majority of people use their oven at least once a day and if it isn’t being used daily it is at least being used once a week.

Therefore, when it comes to looking for a new oven, it is important that you choose one that suits all your preferences and caters to your every need. The first choice everyone has to make is whether they are going to choose a single or double oven. 

This choice is crucial and is influenced by factors such as the size of your kitchen, your budget and how frequently you use your current oven. With that being said, no matter what option you choose you will have to decide upon the exact size of the oven. Furthermore, this choice becomes a lot more significant when you opt for one single oven in your kitchen as the wrong size can cause serious problems in the future.

Choosing the wrong-sized oven can lead to longer food preparation and cooking times, more money being spent on your energy bills and an overall overwhelming experience that will lead to you eventually forking out more money for a new oven when you would not have had to take that risk if you had researched your options in the first place!

For these reasons, we have created a simple yet effective guide which will explore all the different options on the best size of oven for your own kitchen so you are guaranteed to make the right choice when choosing the ideal new oven for your home.

What is the capacity of an average-sized oven?

Firstly to gather a bit of context, we need to understand what the capacity of an average-sized oven is so that we can then compare the different types of options. Oven capacity is the internal volume of space available inside the cavity of the oven. 

The capacity of an oven is measured in litres, with the average capacity of a single oven usually being 60 litres. This type of oven will allow you to perform all the basic duties that a normal oven would allow with enough space for different types of cookware including large dishes, roasting pans and baking trays. 

What is the average double oven capacity?

If you are thinking about purchasing a new double oven for your kitchen but are unsure on the average size of double oven, on average, ranges between 70 - 100 litres in total between the two compartments.

That being said, it is important to remember that the capacity is divided between the two different oven cavities of the double oven. More often than not, the main cavity of the double oven will be larger compared to the secondary cavity meaning you will be able to cook larger meals in one area with the other area being useful for smaller dishes and other styles of cooking. 

The capacity of double ovens varies from brand to brand meaning some manufacturers may produce double ovens that have an identical oven capacity in both cavities however this is not typically the norm.

What is a good oven capacity?

As mentioned previously, the capacity of your oven is important because ultimately it dictates what food and dishes you can make as well as the amount of time it will take you to cook and prepare a meal. 

For example, if you choose a small, low-capacity oven, you will struggle to cook all the meals that you want to, especially if it requires cooking large items simultaneously. You will struggle to fit space in for all your items especially if you are cooking for a large family or a large group of friends. Instead, if you choose a larger capacity oven this will allow you to easily juggle a variety of dishes at the same time whilst not having to worry about spending hours and hours cooking the meal.

Although the average 60-litre single oven cavity will be enough to prepare simple meals for a family of four each night, if you regularly cook for larger groups it is worth choosing a larger capacity oven. 

Large-capacity ovens are an ideal option for individuals who frequently prepare meals for their entire family in one go. They provide ample cooking space, accommodating multiple baking trays or large casserole dishes simultaneously. With a single, spacious cavity, you can cook all these dishes at a consistent temperature, eliminating the need to heat a second compartment.

One thing to note if you are looking for a single oven you might be might be constrained if you're specifically seeking a self-cleaning pyrolytic model. Typically, pyrolytic ovens are designed with standard cavity sizes. However, the sacrifice in terms of extra space is more than compensated for when you no longer have to deal with the laborious task of scrubbing away stubborn cooking residues or using harsh oven-cleaning chemicals.

How many litres of oven do I need?

The size of the oven you need depends on your cooking habits and the types of dishes you typically prepare. Some of the general guidelines you can follow include:

Small Ovens (20-30 litres): These are typically countertop or compact ovens. They are suitable for reheating, toasting, and simple baking. If you have limited kitchen space or cook for one or two people, a small oven may suffice.

Medium Ovens (30-60 litres): These ovens can handle a wider variety of cooking tasks, including baking larger dishes and roasting. They are suitable for small to medium-sized families.

Large Ovens (60+ litres): Large ovens are great for households that frequently cook large meals, roast whole turkeys, or bake multiple dishes at once. They offer more cooking space and versatility.

Conclusion

Overall, the size of the oven you need depends on your lifestyle and your own preferences when it comes to cooking. If you tend to cook for more people and spend a lot of time preparing large meals you will need a larger cavity oven than someone who does not.

If you are in search of a new oven from leading brands in the Stockport or Altrincham area, look no further than Village Domestics Supplies which offers a range of single and double ovens for fast delivery.