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Choosing the Right Oven Is as Easy as Pie... or Pi!

Pi Day is March 14 and is often celebrated by making and enjoying a pie. The perfect pie takes the perfect recipe—and a good oven. But what are the ingredients for a good oven?

Here are some things to consider as you look at your options…none of which will involve as many digits as pi. 

Room to Move

Sometimes it's not the oven so much as its location that influences your baking abilities. When considering the type of oven and range you want, think about the configuration of your kitchen. While a standard range is fine in most kitchens, other options, such as a separate cooktop and oven solution, offer more flexibility and enable an easier flow of traffic through the kitchen.

Having a cooktop can also increase your cabinet space, especially if it is on an island. Meanwhile, freeing the oven from the cooktop means you can opt for a wall oven, which will save cabinet space and have the added benefit of making it easier to move food in and out of a hot oven without having to bend down. It also makes it easier to see how things are progressing since it puts your food at eye level.

A Kitchen for Life

One of the best things about updating a kitchen is adapting it to your current lifestyle. Double ovens, for example, come in handy if you entertain frequently or have a large family. Having two ovens allows you to cook the main dish in one, while baking dessert in another.  A warming drawer can be especially useful when you want to retain the fresh-out of the oven appeal of your effort. When speed is of the essence, having a convection oven, which tends to cook food faster and saves energy, may be the better fit for you.

Bring the Heat—Gas or Electric?

The heating element you use is another consideration when it comes to ovens. Depending on your area, the cost of natural gas may be lower than electricity. Also, gas tends to be more responsive to adjustments in temperature and allows for greater precision, which certain dishes may benefit from.

Electric cooktops, on the other hand, tend to be easier to clean and give your kitchen a sleek, modern look. As a flat surface, glass-top stoves can also serve as extra counter space when not in use. 

All the Bells and Whistles

When you replace an oven, it creates an opportunity to take your cooking game to a new level. Adding a grill to your cooktop means BBQing can be a year-round meal option, while adding a griddle can make Saturday-morning pancakes a snap. For homeowners that frequently enjoy big pasta dinners—or even lobster boils—having a faucet over the stove for filling large pots can be a game changer.

Whether you're upgrading a single appliance or renovating your entire kitchen, choosing the right oven can do more than help you bake the perfect pie. It can add to the functionality and look of your home.