Oven Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Oven for Your Kitchenย ย Your oven is the hardest-working appliance in the kitchen. It's behind the Sunday roast, the midweek tray bakes, the birthday cakes and the late-night frozen pizzas when nobody can be bothered cooking. So, when it's time to replace it, it pays to choose well. Gas or electric? Self-cleaning, or save the cash and scrub it yourself? This guide walks you through all of it, from fuel type and size to cleaning technology, brands and installation, so you can find an oven that cooks up something Betta for years to come.ย The Guideย at a Glanceย Types of ovensย What to consider when buying an ovenย Oven sizes and dimensionsย Energy efficiency and running costsย Oven symbols and features explainedย Top oven brands in Australiaย Delivery, installation and removal with Bettaย Oven Buying Guide FAQsย ย Types of Ovensย What are the different types of ovens available in Australia?ย Before getting into the nitty-gritty of oven dimensions and specifications, itโs important to first understand which type of appliance best suits your kitchen layout and cooking style. With different models offering a variety of benefits, it helps to understand which oven category best suits your home.ย Freestanding (Upright) Ovensย A freestanding oven is a popular choice in Aussie homes, combining both an oven and a cooktop in a single appliance! Itโs designed to slot neatly between cabinetry and is available in electric, gas, and dual-fuel options. With different widths available across a range of sizes including 54cm, 60cm, 70cm, 90cm up to 120cm! They tend to be more affordable than purchasing a separate wall oven and cooktop, and are easy to take with you when moving home!ย Freestanding Oven Benefits: Cooktop & Oven in One Unit, Easy to Install, Renter-Friendly, Budget-Friendlyย ย Ideal For: Renters, First-Home Buyers, Renovations, Smaller Kitchensย ย ย Electric Ovensย Electric ovens are the most common choice in Australian kitchens, running off a standard electrical connection. They use heating elements top and bottom, and most modern models are fan-forced (convection), with a fan circulating hot air around the cavity for reliable cooking across multiple shelves. They're prized for precise, consistent temperature control, which makes them a favourite for baking, plus they come with the widest range of cooking functions.ย Electric Oven Benefits: Even fan-forced cooking, precise temperature control, multiple cooking functions, widely compatibleย Ideal For: Everyday cooking and keen home bakersย ย Gas Ovensย Gas ovens generate heat from a gas burner and can be connected to either natural gas or LPG. They heat up quickly and create a more humid cooking environment that many cooks prefer for roasts and breads. Heat distribution is typically a little less even than a fan-forced electric oven, but running costs can be lower in homes where gas is cheaper than electricity. However, itโs important to note that a gas connection is required, so they suit kitchens already plumbed for gas.ย Gas Oven Benefits: Fast heat-up, moist cooking environment, responsive heat control, lower running costs where gas is availableย Ideal For: Homes already plumbed for gas, and cooks who love a good roastย ย Pyrolytic Ovensย A pyrolytic oven is an electric oven designed with a built-in self-cleaning cycle. At the press of a button it heats to around 500ยฐC, burning off grease and food residue until only a fine ash remains; you simply wipe it away once the oven cools, with no scrubbing or chemical cleaners required. Because they're built for these high temperatures, pyrolytic ovens also feature superior insulation and door sealing. It's a premium convenience feature found on mid-to-high-end models.ย Pyrolytic Oven Benefits: Self-cleaning cycle, no harsh chemicals, superior insulation, premium build qualityย Ideal For: Busy households and anyone who hates scrubbing the ovenย ย Warming Drawersย A warming drawer is a low-heat drawer that sits beneath a built-in oven or within a cabinetry stack. It's designed to keep cooked dishes at serving temperature while the rest of the meal finishes cooking, warms plates before serving, or can even gently prove dough. As a companion to a wall oven, it adds valuable flexibility when you're cooking multiple dishes or entertaining a crowd.ย Warming Drawer Benefits: Keeps food at serving temperature, warms plates, proves dough, pairs neatly with a built-in ovenย Ideal For: Entertainers and larger households with a built-in oven setupย ย Combi Microwaveย A combi (combination) microwave brings together microwave, oven and usually grill functions into a single compact appliance! You can microwave, bake or grill, or combine functions to speed up cooking, like crisping and heating at once. Plus, it's a versatile option as a space-saving primary oven for those living in apartments and smaller kitchens. Or you can use it as a handy second oven when the main oven is full.ย Combi Microwave Benefits: Microwave, oven and grill in one, space-saving, fast cooking, highly versatileย Ideal For: Apartments, smaller kitchens, or as a flexible second ovenย ย Oven Types Summaryย Typeย Key Featuresย Best Suited Toย Freestanding Ovensย Oven and cooktop combined, easy to install, choice of gas or electric, renter-friendlyย Renters, first-home buyers, renovations and smaller kitchensย Electric Ovensย Even fan-forced cooking, precise temperature control, wide range of functions, runs off a standard power pointย Everyday cooking and keen home bakersย Gas Ovensย Fast heat-up, moist cooking environment, responsive heat control, needs a gas connectionย Homes already plumbed for gas, and cooks who love a roastย Pyrolytic Ovensย Self-cleaning high-heat cycle, no chemical cleaners, superior insulation, premium buildย Busy households and anyone who hates scrubbing the ovenย Warming Drawersย Keeps food at serving temperature, warms plates, gently proves dough, pairs with a built-in ovenย Entertainers and larger householdsย Combi Microwaveย Microwave, oven, grill and combi cooking in one, space-saving designย Smaller kitchens and apartments, or a flexible second ovenย ย What to Consider When Buying an Ovenย The best ovens in Australia arenโt necessarily the most expensive model or the one with the most features. The right choice for you depends on your kitchen layout, cooking habits, household size, available connections, and, of course, budget.ย Keeping in mind the key considerations in this section will help you nail down the perfect oven for right now and into the future as well!ย 1. Size and Capacityย What sizeย oven do I need for my kitchen?ย Oven dimensions can vary between brands, but some of the main widths include 54cm, 60cm, and 90cm. Before you make your final choice, itโs a good idea to check the cut-out dimensions in the manufacturerโs specifications instead of relying solely on external measurements.ย ย Oven Typeย Average Cut-Out Dimensionsย Recommended Capacityย 54cm Ovenย 54cm wide ร ~85 โ 89cm tall ร ~55 โ 60cm deepย ~50 โ 65Lย Compact; fits one or two standard trays. Best suited to singles and couples in apartments.ย ย 60cm Oven (Built-In)ย 59 โ 60cm wide ร ~59cm tall ร ~55 โ 56cm deepย ~70 โ 80Lย Australia's most common size; fits 2โ3 trays or a large roasting dish. Suits most families.ย ย 60cm Oven (Freestanding)ย 60cm wide ร ~85 โ 90cm tall ร ~60cm deepย ~70 โ 80Lย Same usable space as a 60cm built-in, with an integrated cooktop. Handles a family roast plus sides.ย ย 70cm Ovenย 70cm wide ร ~85 โ 90cm tall ร ~60cm deepย ~85 โ 100Lย Extra-wide cavity; fits larger trays side by side. Great for bigger families and regular entertainers.ย ย 90cm Oven (Built-In)ย 88 โ 90cm wide ร ~46 โ 60cm tall ร ~55 โ 56cm deepย ~110 โ 130Lย Large cavity with wide shelves; cooks multiple trays at once. Ideal for big households and frequent entertaining.ย ย 90cm Oven (Freestanding)ย 90cm wide ร ~85 โ 95cm tall ร ~60cm deepย ~115 โ 135Lย The largest option, often with twin cavities; handles a full Christmas roast and several dishes together.ย ย ย 2. Choosing an Oven by Fuel Typeย Should I buy a gas, electric, or induction-compatible oven?ย Electric ovens: In many Aussie homes, an electric oven is the most versatile option. Itโs typically easier to install, offers a more even baking, and provides access to advanced features like pyrolytic cleaning, steam cooking, and air fry programs.ย Gas ovens: A gas oven can still be a great choice for kitchens, especially if natural gas is already connected. Many home cooks enjoy the moist cooking environment and fast preheating gas ovens offer. These ovens do require a licensed gas fitter, though, and some states have placed restrictions on new gas connections.ย Induction ovens: Duel-fuel models give you the best of both, pairing a gas cooktop with an electric oven. With the added touch of convenience, this fuel type continues to be a popular choice for many Australian families.ย ย 3. Cooking Modes & Programsย What cooking modes should I look for?ย ย These days, ovens can include a variety of cooking programs, with some of the best oven brands boasting upwards of 15. While it can be easy to get swept away with the number of settings, itโs more important to focus on the functions youโll actually use.ย For example, a fan-forced oven is always one of the most popular choices for Aussies. Also known as a convection oven, it uses a fan to circulate hot air throughout the cavity for faster and more even cooking.ย Some other popular cooking modes include:ย Conventional (top and bottom heat)ย Grillย Pyrolytic Cleanย Steam Assist/ Steamย AirFryย Defrostย Pizzaย 4. How to Clean & Maintain Your Ovenย How important is oven cleaning technology?ย Many Aussies have probably already wondered โhow to clean an ovenโ in the past, and cleaning is one of the biggest frustrations for households. So, cleaning technology should be a major consideration when choosing your new oven.ย ย Generally speaking, there are three main cleaning options for your oven:ย ย Pyrolytic Cleaning - Heats to about 500ยฐC, turning grease and food residue into fine ash that can be easily wiped away.โฏย Steam Clean/ Aqua Clean - Use water and gentle heat to loosen light food residue to make it easier to wipe everything away.ย Manual Cleaning - Typically found in basic models, offering smooth enamel interiors and removable shelves to simplify the cleaning process.ย ย ย At the end of the day, it depends on how much emphasis you put on your kitchen maintenance. Whether you value a self-cleaning oven or saving money with a little manual labour, you can choose an oven that best suits your everyday lifestyle.ย ย 5. Energy Efficiency & Running Costsย What does energy efficiency mean with ovens?ย Unlike your fridge, your oven doesnโt run continuously, but energy efficiency can still make a big difference over the appliance's lifespan. A standard 60cm electric oven can typically use around 100-150kWh annually, depending on usage patterns, and the pyrolytic clean cycle can add about 4-5kWh per cycle.ย ย This means that once youโve narrowed down your non-negotiable features, itโs worth looking at a few extra features to keep your kitchen energy efficient and costs down:ย High energy ratings (the label scale ranges from A+++ to G).ย Triple-glazed doors.ย Residual heat indicators.ย Eco cooking programs.ย Fast preheat technology.ย Quality insulation.ย ย Unsure about how the oven energy rating system works?ย ย Ratingย What It Means for Your Billsย A+++ to Aย Most efficient. Higher upfront cost, but the lowest running costs over the oven's lifetime.ย B to Cย Mid-range efficiency. A solid balance of purchase price and everyday running costs.ย D to Gย Entry level. Cheaper to buy, but more expensive to run year on year.ย Oven Connections and Installationย How do I install and connect my oven?ย Before choosing your oven, itโs important to think about how it will be installed in your kitchen. Most electric ovens (above 2400W) will require hardwiring by a licensed electrician.ย The requirements may vary by size and oven type:ย Smaller models can typically be plugged into a 10A or 15A power outlet.ย 90cm+ and pyrolytic ovens will almost always need a 15A circuit or hardwiring.ย ย Pyrolytic ovens also require enough ventilation space for the intense self-cleaning heat.ย For those working with gas, those models require a licensed gas fitter as well.ย ย Before your delivery day rolls around, itโs also important to check:ย Existing electrical connections.ย Whether you need a 10A or 15A circuit.ย Cabinet cut-out dimensions.ย Ventilation requirements.ย Gas connection availability.ย ย Tip: When budgeting for your new oven, donโt forget to factor in any oven installation costs on top of the original purchase price.ย H2: Oven Features Explainedย Modern ovens come with a broad range of features that can make cooking easier and your kitchen more efficient. Here's a plain-language breakdown of the most common ones worth knowing about before you buy.ย Key Features to Look Forย Fan-Forced / Convection: A fan circulates hot air around the cavity for faster, more even cooking across every shelf. It's one of the most-used settings in Australian kitchens and a favourite for baking.ย Pyrolytic Self-Cleaning: Heats the cavity to around 500ยฐC to burn off grease and spills, leaving only a fine ash you simply wipe away. No scrubbing or chemical cleaners required.ย Steam Assist / Steam Cooking: Adds moisture during cooking to keep roasts juicy and bread crusty. Full steam models also open up healthier, gentler cooking for veggies and fish.ย Air Fry: A built-in program that uses high-speed hot air to crisp food with little or no oil, so you can skip the separate benchtop air fryer and save bench space.ย Telescopic / Sliding Shelves: Runners that glide fully out so you can baste, turn or check dishes safely without reaching into a hot cavity. A worthwhile add for frequent roasters.ย Pizza Function: Combines intense bottom heat with the fan to crisp the base properly. Great for frozen favourites and homemade pizzas alike.ย Meat Probe: A temperature probe that sits in the food and tells the oven exactly when your roast hits the perfect internal temperature, then switches to keep-warm so nothing overcooks.ย Cool-Touch / Triple-Glazed Door: Multiple layers of glass keep the outer door cooler to the touch and help hold heat in. A reassuring safety feature for homes with young kids.ย Catalytic Liners: Special cavity liners that absorb grease and burn it off during normal cooking, cutting down on manual cleaning between deeper cleans.ย Programmable Timer / Delay Start: Lets you set the oven to start or finish at a chosen time, so dinner can be ready the moment you walk in the door.ย Child Lock / Safety Lock: Disables the control panel so little hands can't change settings or switch the oven on, giving busy parents real peace of mind.ย ย Topย Oven Brands in Australiaย Whichย oven brand is the most reliable?ย The best oven brand for your household completely depends on what you prioritise, whether that's even cooking, self-cleaning convenience, premium design or everyday value. At Betta, we stock a strong line-up of trusted oven brands to suit every kitchen and budget. Here's an honest overview of some of the names worth knowing.ย Fisher and Paykelย Fisher & Paykel has been designing appliances around the way we actually live for over 90 years, which means its ovens are all about precision and considered design. The built-in oven range spans the Series 5, 7, 9 and 11 collections in both Minimal and Contemporary styling, so it's easy to match the look of your kitchen beyond the functionality. Want something a little beyond the standard? You'll find solid convection ovens for everyday cooking, steam-assist models that balance moisture and dry heat for crisp roasts and soft breads, plus combination microwave ovens for extra flexibility. Every oven is engineered and tested to simulate around 20 years of real-world cooking, so it's built to go the distance.ย Best For: Home cooks who want precise, design-led ovens built to last.ย ย Westinghouseย Westinghouse has been a trusted name in Australian kitchens for over 80 years, and many of its ovens and freestanding cookers are still built locally in Australia. It's a brand built on practical, family-friendly cooking with a range that covers freestanding cookers from compact 54cm models up to large 90cm and elevated 110cm options, alongside 60cm and 90cm built-in ovens. Plus, many models come loaded with genuinely useful extras like AirFry for crispy meals with less oil and PyroClean pyrolytic self-cleaning, so the cooking and the clean-up make life a whole lot easier.ย Best For: Aussie families who want dependable, locally built ovens at a fair price.ย ย ASKOย ASKO brings Scandinavian design and European engineering to the kitchen, with a premium built-in oven range that looks as sharp as it cooks. Across the range you'll find multifunction, combi steam, microwave-combi and pyrolytic ovens, many with a generous 71L capacity. Thoughtful touches run throughout, like fully extendable telescopic shelf guides and a meat probe that takes the guesswork out of a Sunday roast. The pyrolytic models heat to around 465ยฐC and turn baked-on grease into a fine ash you simply wipe away.ย Best For: Design-conscious cooks after a premium, feature-rich built-in oven.ย ย Artusiย ย Artusi serves up Italian-inspired style without the premium price tag, which makes it a favourite for renovators and value-focused families. The freestanding cooker range runs from slim 54cm models right up to statement 90cm and 100cm cookers, with gas, electric, dual fuel and induction options to suit whatever your kitchen is set up for. Plus, many models feature triple-glazed doors and roomy cavities, so there's plenty of space for the weekend roast.ย Best For: Renovators and families who want stylish cooking on a sensible budget.ย ย Electroluxย Electrolux sits at the smarter end of everyday cooking, and its ovens have topped Canstar Blue's oven ratings for good reason. The built-in range includes 60cm and 90cm ovens, along with handy double-oven models for extra capacity. Look out for clever cooking tech like SteamBake for bakery-style bread and AirFryPlus for crispy results with little or no oil, plus a Smart Food Probe that switches the oven off the moment your roast hits temperature. Pyrolytic self-cleaning and telescopic runners feature on many models, taking the effort out of both cooking and cleaning.ย Best For: Households that want premium cooking features and genuinely easy cleaning.ย ย Smegย Smeg is the brand for cooks who want their oven to double as a statement piece. This Italian icon is best known for its Victoria and Classic freestanding cookers, available from 60cm right up to showstopping 90cm, 110cm and 120cm models in dual fuel and induction. There's also a stylish line-up of built-in ovens, including pyrolytic and steam options for serious home cooks. Features like Twin Fan cooking and Vapour Clean help deliver even results and easier cleaning, all wrapped in that unmistakable Smeg design.ย Best For: Style-led kitchens and cooks who want design and performance in equal measure.ย ย BELLINGย Belling brings British heritage and classic range-cooker styling to Australian kitchens. The line-up centres on freestanding and range cookers in sizes from 54cm and 60cm up to generous 90cm and 110cm. You can choose single or double oven cavities, with electric, dual fuel and induction options to find the perfect match for your kitchen. The larger 90cm range cookers even feature a Proflex cavity splitter and Equiflow twin fans, so you can run one big oven or two separate ones depending on what you're cooking.ย Best For: Cooks who love classic range-cooker style and flexible double-oven cooking.ย ย Your Pre-Oven Buying Checklistย So, now that we've worked through everything from oven types and sizes to features and brands, let's do one final review before you buy. Run through this checklist as you shop to make sure you've ticked off everything that matters for your household:ย Oven type and size: have you matched the oven type (freestanding, built-in or combi) and width to your kitchen space and household size?ย Fuel type: have you chosen between electric, gas or dual fuel based on your connections and the way you like to cook?ย Cooking modes and functions: have you settled on the programs you'll actually use, like fan-forced, grill, steam or AirFry?ย Cleaning and maintenance: have you picked your preferred cleaning method, whether that's pyrolytic, steam clean or a manual wipe-down?ย Energy efficiency and running costs: have you checked the energy rating and the features that help keep your bills down?ย Connections and installation: have you confirmed your power or gas connection, the cabinet cut-out and whether you'll need a licensed installer?ย Features that matter: have you shortlisted the extras worth paying for, from a meat probe to telescopic shelves and smart connectivity?ย Brand and budget: have you matched a trusted brand to a budget that works for you, anywhere from $500 to $15,000+?ย ย Start Your Oven Shopping with the Expertsย Ready to find an oven that cooks up something Betta? Explore Betta's full range of freestanding cookers, built-in ovens, pyrolytic ovens and combi microwaves online, or pop into your local Betta showroom to see them in person. With Australia-wide delivery and manufacturer warranties across the range, plus a team who knows their appliances inside out, finding your next oven is a whole lot easier at Betta.ย ย Oven Buying Guide FAQs How much should I spend on an oven? Ovens can range from anywhere between $500 to $15,000+, and the right budget depends on how often you cook and which features matter the most. Some common options include: $500 โ $1,200: An entry-level 60cm electric built-in oven, covering the everyday basics like fan-forced cooking and a grill. $1,200 โ $2,500: Mid-range built-in ovens with extra cooking functions like steam-assist or AirFry, plus dependable freestanding cookers. $2,500 โ $5,000: Premium built-in ovens with pyrolytic self-cleaning and full steam, along with quality 60cm to 90cm freestanding cookers. $5,000 โ $15,000+: Top-of-the-range pyrolytic double ovens, multifunction cookers, dual fuel cookers and designer freestanding statement pieces. What is the difference between fan-forced and conventional? A fan forced oven, as the name would suggest, uses a fan to circulate hot air throughout the cavity. Meanwhile, a conventional oven relies on top and bottom heating elements, without fan assistance. Are pyrolytic ovens worth the extra cost? For homes that enjoy baking or roasting regularly, a pyrolytic oven can certainly be worth the investment. It saves about one hour of scrubbing per clean cycle and eliminates the need for chemical oven cleaners. While pyrolytic models usually cost more upfront, many find the convenience well worth it! What is the difference between gas and electric ovens? When comparing gas vs electric ovens, both options offer great advantages: ย Gas Ovensย Electric Ovensย Fast preheatingย More even baking, and temperature controlย Moist cooking environmentย Steam and pyrolytic compatibilityย Lower running costs with existing gasย Great range of cooking functionsย How do I clean my oven without harsh chemicals? A simple mixture of bicarb soda and water can help loosen baked-on residue. Apply the paste to your oven (when itโs cool), leave overnight, then wipe clean with a damp cloth. White vinegar can also help with cleaning up any remaining residue. For pyrolytic or steam-clean ovens, simply use the dedicated cleaning cycle. What size oven do I need for a family of 4? For a family of four, a standard 60cm oven should do the trick. If you enjoy entertaining or cooking large meals regularly, you may want to consider a larger model (90cm+) to give you the extra space you need. Are gas ovens being phased out in Australia? While some Australian states (like Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory) have introduced restrictions on new gas connections, existing gas connections arenโt being switched off. If youโre renovating an existing home, a gas oven is still a valid option. Itโs a good idea to check the current rules in your local council or state if youโre concerned. Do I need an electrician to install an electric oven? A lot of the time, youโll need an electrician to install your oven. Electric ovens over 2400W require hardwiring by a licensed professional to meet safety, insurance and warranty requirements. Meanwhile, some smaller ovens can simply be plugged into the wall (into a 10A power outlet). Always check the oven manual and confirm with the installer. How long do ovens last? A quality oven can typically last between 12 and 17 years, especially with regular maintenance. However, if you start to notice uneven cooking, persistent error codes, or poor door seals, it may be time for an oven replacement and upgrade. What is the best oven for a small kitchen? The best oven for a small kitchen is usually around the 54cm to 60cm mark! These sizes fit standard cabinetry and suit traditional baking trays, all while still offering full multifunction cooking. Combi microwaves can also be an ideal choice as well, replacing a full oven for everyday use.
