The Complete Guide to Kitchen Single Ovens
Everything you need to know about choosing the right oven for your kitchen from sizes and installation types to heating technologies and energy efficiency.
Start with your cabinet plan and your electrics. Then choose the size, the installation type, and the cleaning system. Get those right and most ovens will serve you well for years.
Scope
This page covers single ovens. See separate pages for double ovens, compact ovens, and steam ovens.
60cm and 90cm wide ovens
Most UK kitchens suit a 60cm oven. A 90cm oven suits larger kitchens and bigger cooking loads.
60cm ovens
The standard choice for UK kitchen housing and base units.
- Fits most 600mm oven housings
- Widest choice of models and prices
- Typical capacity around 65 to 80 litres
- Easier to match with other appliances
90cm ovens
Large format ovens used for bigger meals and entertaining.
- Needs a wider housing and careful clearance planning
- Often a larger cavity or two cavities side by side
- Higher purchase price
- Higher energy use if you heat the full space
Built in vs built under
Built in ovens sit in a tall housing at a comfortable height. Built under ovens sit under the worktop, often under the hob.
| Point | Built in | Built under |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | New kitchen layouts and tall housing banks | Replacing an under counter oven with minimal cabinet changes |
| Everyday use | No bending. Easier tray handling | You bend to load and unload |
| Planning sensitivity | Housing manages airflow around the oven | Front ventilation and plinth airflow matter more |
| What to check | Cut out size, cable route, ventilation gaps | Worktop height, hob clearance, vents, cable route |
Do not assume a built in oven suits built under fitting
Some ovens are approved for one installation type only. Follow the installation instructions for the exact model.
Hardwired vs plugged in
Many ovens need a dedicated cooker circuit. Some lower powered models run from a standard 13A plug.
Plug in ovens
Often supplied with a fitted plug.
- Useful when you have no cooker outlet in the right spot
- Common on some single cavity models
- Still needs safe cable routing and ventilation space
Hardwired ovens
Common for built in ovens with higher power ratings.
- Often wired to a cooker connection unit with an isolation switch
- Common in multifunction and pyrolytic models
- Best planned during a kitchen rewire
Before you order
- Check the power rating in the spec sheet
- Check if the oven arrives with a plug or a bare cable
- Confirm your outlet position and cable reach
- Plan an isolation switch location you can reach easily
Gas vs electric ovens
Electric ovens dominate the UK market because they offer more cooking modes and consistent heat. Gas ovens still exist, but choice is narrower than it was.
Electric ovens
- Even heat with fan cooking
- More functions, including fan grill and low temperature modes
- More self cleaning options, including pyrolytic on many ranges
- No Gas Safe work for the appliance connection
Gas ovens
- Moist heat from combustion, which some cooks like
- Fewer models and fewer advanced features
- Needs a suitable gas supply and safe installation
- Harder to match within premium built in appliance lines
Gas direction of travel
There is no confirmed UK ban date for gas ovens. The market direction favours electric cooking. For a new kitchen plan, electric keeps your options widest.
Heating types that change results
Manufacturers use different names, but the cooking results come down to how the oven moves heat.
Conventional heat
Top and bottom elements. Useful for pastry and bread where you want gentle heat movement.
Fan assisted
Elements plus a fan to push air around. Strong everyday choice for roasts and bakes.
True fan
Fan with a ring element behind it. Best for even temperatures and multi shelf baking.
Cleaning systems
Cleaning tech affects price and day to day effort. Choose based on how often you roast, grill, and cook high fat foods.
Pyrolytic
Turns residue into ash. You wipe it out once cool.
Lowest manual effortCatalytic
Panels help break down grease during cooking. You still wipe areas it misses.
Good valueSteam clean
Steam loosens residue for wiping. Best for light to medium use.
Simple and affordable
Colours and finishes
Pick a finish that suits your kitchen style and your cleaning tolerance.
Stainless steel
Classic and easy to match. Anti fingerprint finishes reduce wiping.
Black glass
Popular in modern handleless kitchens. Shows dust and smears.
Graphite and dark steel
Strong in contemporary German kitchen looks. Hides fingerprints well.
Pre purchase checks
These checks prevent most fitting problems.
| Check | Why it matters | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Cut out dimensions | Stops fitting surprises in tall housings and under counters | Installation instructions |
| Ventilation requirements | Protects cabinets and reduces overheating faults | Installation instructions |
| Electrical connection | Plug in vs hardwired affects install cost and timing | Spec sheet and rating plate |
| Door clearance | Door drop and handle projection can clash with adjacent doors | Technical drawing |
| Accessories | Rails, trays, and shelf count affect daily use | In the box list |
Recommended spec for most UK homes
60cm single electric oven with true fan, at least 70 litres, a clear digital timer, easy clean door glass, and either catalytic liners or pyrolytic cleaning if you roast often.
Explore more oven types
Use these pages when you plan appliance stacks and tall housings.