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Double Oven vs Single... I really need advice

12 years ago

Hello everyone and thanks for taking time to read my post. We are gutting our kitchen and I've just changed the design and it now looks like I have room to put in a double oven stack. Trouble is, I had done all the research on a Single Oven and a warming drawer, so I feel completely lost on the double. I had settled on a Bosch 500 series. I am part time cook, do a little baking, nothing complicated. We have two kids, tweens, and a busy, busy life. Im not sure I should get the double, or two singles or the original configuration, just in a wall.

There are about 4 times per year when I wish wish wish for a double oven (holidays, and parties), but still i think it might be nice to have everyday. Also a big switch for me as I will be moving from an electric range and have never used a wall oven set up before.

Any thoughts on brands/issues any other things I should be thinking about?

thanks.

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Comment (1)

ginny20
12 years ago
I love my double wall oven, but as I have said here before and regulars are probably sick of hearing, mine is really old and it has french doors, which are the best thing a wall oven can have. You can go right into the oven or next to the rack without leaning over a hot door. If you can afford $6500 (I can't), American Range makes a lovely stainless double wall oven with french doors. Frigidaire makes a side-swing door oven that can be stacked to make a double, but it only comes in black or white and it's 27". Fagor makes a side-swing door oven, but it's really small. There aren't any other choices I know of.

Since I have to accept a drop-down door, I'm looking for full-extension easy-glide racks, so I don't have to reach so far over the door and into the oven to lift out heavy things. Stand next to the open oven in the store and mime pulling out a turkey, and you'll see what I mean. Also, bring your turkey pan with you to make sure the interior is big enough.

I currently use my second oven as a warming drawer, by setting it to "warm" or 150. I don't often cook two things in my top (bigger) oven, and I do use both ovens on some weeknights (think meat or fish in one oven, roasting veg or oven fries in the other).

Some people like to have the second oven be a speed oven with microwave, then you can get rid of your microwave elsewhere. GE Advantium and Miele are two speed ovens discussed in other threads.

Something to consider in choosing an oven is the self-cleaning issue, also discussed in other threads. Kitchenaid has a great-looking electric double oven with a capacious interior, but many people have had problems with the self-clean cycle. I read similar comments about some Kenmore models on the Kenmore site.

Having had one for over 20 years, I am definitely choosing a double oven. Then again, I never had a warming drawer. I'm leaning toward the Electrolux, mainly because of recommendations I've read here.

Hope that helps!
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