Designing Your Dream Kitchen? Here's Why You Need a Wall Oven

We all aspire to have our perfect dream kitchen. When remodeling or building new, installing a wall oven can help you achieve the contemporary style and functionality you've always envisioned.

Compared to freestanding ranges, wall ovens provide unique benefits in terms of their built-in look, placement flexibility, and cooking versatility. Read on to discover why this appliance deserves a spot in your plans.

Choosing Between Single vs Double Wall Ovens

The first decision is whether you need a single or double wall oven . The main differences come down to capacity and the ability to cook multiple items simultaneously.

More Cooking Capacity

Double wall ovens give you two separate oven cavities, essentially like having two ovens stacked one above the other. The lower oven tends to be larger, with the upper oven better for quick cooking and warming. With extra cubic feet, you can bake platters of lasagna up top while roasting a full turkey down below.

Simultaneous Cooking

The two ovens allow baking at different temperatures. For example, you may proof bread dough at 100degF up top while broiling steaks at 500degF down below. For avid bakers, the flexibility is invaluable.

Those with limited space or more modest cooking needs will likely do fine with a single wall oven . Focus instead on a model with your preferred cooking modes and capacity.

Wall Oven Design and Layout Considerations

Placement of your new wall oven will inform the design of surrounding cabinetry, countertops, and backsplashes. Key considerations include:

Standard vs Flush Inset Installation

Ovens normally install with about a 1" gap protruding past cabinet fronts. But for a flush inset look , the oven gets built right into cabinetry with no gap. This demands precise carpentry but offers a seamless modern style.

Creative Placement Ideas

While traditionally installed in tall wall columns beside ranges, you also find creative contemporary placements like in kitchen islands or even low walls. Get creative in showcasing your sleek statement oven.

Matching Wall Oven Style to Your Kitchen Decor

With styles from industrial chic to commercial-grade and more, your options for personalization are wide open. Consider things like:

• Stainless steel for a professional look
• Smudge-proof black or white for minimalist kitchens
• Glass doors to view food mid-cook without losing heat
• Custom cabinetry panels for a unified finish

The choices for a customized high-end look are nearly endless. Visit showrooms to view various styles and finishes in person.

Functionality and Feature Differences

Beyond their stylish built-in design, wall ovens bring versatile functionality to your cooking. Convection modes, steam functionality, and probe thermometers take your culinary creations to the next level.

Convection Cooking Benefits

Convection ovens utilize internal fans to circulate hot air, allowing for lightning-fast and even cooking. Foods crisp up nicely while meats stay tender and juicy.

The forced heat transfer is excellent for baking pastries or cooking meats and vegetables simultaneously. It's an invaluable way to cook multiple dishes at once.

Specialized Cooking Modes

Higher-end wall ovens incorporate various cooking modes like proofing bread, dehydrating fruit, and slow roasting overnight. Some even offer built-in meat probes for perfectly cooked roasts and poultry.

Consider which specialty cooking functions could be useful. The more versatility from a single appliance, the better.

Special Ventilation Needs for Gas Wall Ovens

While electric models need no special treatment, gas wall ovens require some unique considerations:

External Venting Needs

Gas ovens must route exhaust externally, demanding installation of a hood vented per code. Your contractor needs to account for venting ductwork in the planning.

Combustion Air Requirements

Sufficient "make-up" air is required in the kitchen for proper combustion and ventilation. Your HVAC pro must determine if an air supply kit is needed.

If going for gas, consult contractors early about ventilation and be ready to carve out space for external vents.

Cost Breakdown and Installation Considerations

With extensive cabinet work, electrical, and venting needs, installing a wall oven demands professional help. Plan for costs like:

• $1,500+ for the oven itself
• $2,500+ for surrounding cabinetry/countertops
• $800+ for electrical and gas line work
• $1,200+ for vent hoods and ducting (gas models)

The complexity varies greatly by chosen location and existing kitchen layout. New cabinetry, exhaust vents, and creative placements add cost. Ensure your contractor properly provisions electrical.

By now the unique benefits of incorporating wall ovens into kitchen plans are clear. Beyond cost, the critical advantages include:

• Flexibility: Place anywhere in kitchens without needing cooktop nearby
• High-End Style: Sleek built-in look unmatched by ranges
• Cooking Functionality: Convection, steam, precision probe modes enable culinary creativity

Wall ovens check all the boxes for discerning home chefs. With elegant form and expanded function, they make kitchen dreams reality.