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Original poster

Built in oven /one oven will it be big enough for family of four?

48 replies

Lemonmelonsun · 27/06/2021 08:30

I'm hoping to get a new kitchen with a built in oven, rather than our free standing gas cooker But... I'm worried about size, can those ovens cope with a meal like a roast by themselves?
When I see pics or people's houses they seem to have two ovens?
Is there a litre size or something I should aim for.
Or should i get one fancy oven and one cheaper one?

OP posts:
Longestfewdaysupcoming · 27/06/2021 08:32

Get a double oven with a grill?

Zhx3 · 27/06/2021 08:34

If you have space, maybe look at a plug in halogen oven or a Ninja grill or foodi type machine? I think a halogen oven costs around £50 and I think my Ninja grill was around £150. I have 2 ovens (family of 5) and pretty much just use one and my Ninja.

AliMonkey · 27/06/2021 08:47

We have a double oven but I rarely use the top one except as a grill and then probably 90% of the time I’m not using the bottom one. It’s handy if eg I’m cooking for a party or Christmas but for normal everyday life could easily live without if either the oven or microwave had a grill. But if doing a new kitchen I’d sacrifice a bit of cupboard space to get a double again for the times it is useful.

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PotteringAlong · 27/06/2021 08:48

We have two ovens and I use them all the time!

Original poster
Lemonmelonsun · 27/06/2021 08:54

I am thinking about backing up the one with an additional counter top type, like the ninja mentioned above.

I guess if I got one and struggled I could get an additional one at a later date..

OP posts:
Passthecake30 · 27/06/2021 08:56

I have an oven with a combi oven/microwave/grill sitting above it. The only time I use the top oven at the same time is for Christmas, cooking multiple things. For a normal roast dinner, I cook the meat and leave it resting on the side and then turn up the oven and cook the spuds and Yorkshire puddings, and just use the one oven.

AquaticLicence · 27/06/2021 09:01

Of course a single oven can cope with cooking a roast for 4 people. Internal dimensions do vary so do check that. The only time I have to really think about fitting things in is at Christmas.

GreenCrayon · 27/06/2021 09:04

I'm baffled that a normal oven wouldn't be big enough for a family of 4. Even those I know who have bigger families and enjoy cooking elaborate meals that seem to use every pan in the process cope perfectly well with a normal oven.

You'll be fine, it's totally normal to have a standard oven and perfectly possible to comfortably cook a roast for a large number in one.

MiloAndEddie · 27/06/2021 09:11

We are a family of 4 who cope perfectly fine with a normal size oven. We’ve cooked Christmas dinner for 10+ people too without issue, just takes a bit more thinking about

Original poster
Lemonmelonsun · 27/06/2021 09:11

Thanks, I've only ever had free standing oven and they look huge compared to the built in ones.
And then as I said there always seems to be two!
They look small.

OP posts:
Hairymoohead · 27/06/2021 09:12

We have two ovens - I don't regret getting them but 90% of the time I only need one.

Original poster
Lemonmelonsun · 27/06/2021 09:13
  • I'm just wondering then if I should have it at eye height ish in a tall cabinet then or have it under the hob.
OP posts:
chocolateorangeinhaler · 27/06/2021 09:14

This is Mumsnet. You will be expected to have at least four ovens and a warming drawer. Anything less and YABU. Grin

BikeRunSki · 27/06/2021 09:16

We are a family of 4, get by fine with a single oven. It takes a bit of thought at Christmas, but nothing insurmountable.

GreenCrayon · 27/06/2021 09:21

And then as I said there always seems to be two! They look small.

Where on earth do you live that anyone with a built in oven seems to have two, that's honestly not the norm. Of course they will look small in comparison to a free standing oven but dimension wise they really aren't small.

DinosaurDiana · 27/06/2021 09:22

We are a family of 6 and have one oven.

SoupDragon · 27/06/2021 09:24

I think two ovens is a fairly recent thing really - certainly when I was growing up one was sufficient! That said, ours (and mine now) was one with a main oven and a smaller grill/oven on top.

I've no idea how she did it but my mum produced Christmas dinner for 12 or so from hers!

Oldraver · 27/06/2021 09:28

We have a built under double oven, both have grills and the bottom one is a fan. We replaced a similar one that was originally in the house

Now having the two ovens and separate grill is ok but as they are both small ovens we do sometimes need to use both

I much preferred having the single under oven

I think the higher up ovens are larger

Lunaballoon · 27/06/2021 09:28

It baffles me that multiple ovens seem to have become the norm. Apart from Christmas dinner, I can’t think of many meals/mouths to feed where a normal single oven wouldn’t be sufficient.

RowanAlong · 27/06/2021 09:28

Chocolateorangeinhaler.

No, this is Mumsnet. You are complaining if you can’t cook a roast for four over a single candle 😁

KupoNutCoffee · 27/06/2021 10:09

Depends what you have now and how you cook?

If you have a standing, but single oven - measure the internal dimensions and how many shelfs you have. If it's a double oven, do you use both ever at the same time?

I have a single built in. There's only 2 of us bit I'd love a double oven - and when we multiply and move, it's probably going to be a big want for me. But then, I like cooking and baking, I cook multiple things on trays, have a excessive for 2 large casserole pot that barely fits, cook for the 5000 regardless, and I like having multiple components to a meal. I would really benefit from having 2 temperature zones - many a time I'd love to have pudding go in on top, while the bottom is still full with the main - to keep a slow cooking joint on low, while I warm oil and cook yorkies. Being able to bake double batches of cookies / cakes because I have enough shelf space.

But its not essential - and if I don't get a double oven and a stunningly huge kitchen then it will just go on the list of things we'll get round to doing in the house. And I'll make it work...I might even get a microwave again.

Bagelsandbrie · 27/06/2021 10:13

We are a family of 4 and have one oven. I can see that two would be useful but it’s perfectly possible to manage with one. You learn which part of the oven is slightly hotter / colder and use the shelves accordingly. My oven only came with one shelf so I got some extra ones from eBay and some smaller baking trays so I can move things around easily. If I’m doing a roast for example I use the bottom of the oven to bung stuff that’s ready earlier and it keeps it warm without over cooking it.

Calmyertits · 27/06/2021 10:17

We're a family of 4 and our oven does us fine. I do have an air fryer which i think helps a great deal but id have one regardless, i love the bloody thing!

Canigooutyet · 27/06/2021 10:30

It's all about dimensions and how many shelves it has.
I had a single with 6 of us living here and guests on a regular basis. And roasts are easy as you're veg and whatever is cooked whilst your meat rests.

Was talked into getting a double and have used the top oven a couple of times in the past 5 years. We use the toaster and one of those grilling machines more as it's quicker than grilling with the oven

chocolateorangeinhaler · 27/06/2021 10:46

@RowanAlong

Chocolateorangeinhaler.

No, this is Mumsnet. You are complaining if you can’t cook a roast for four over a single candle 😁

😂😂😂
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