How many ovens do you have?

[Crumbelina]

First world problem alert!

We're in the process of designing a kitchen in the forever home and I'm planning to have one full size oven in a tall unit, with a combination microwave oven and warming drawer in another tall unit (as per the picture).

I'm planning on doing a lot of hosting including Christmas dinners and possibly catering for up to 10-12 people at a time. With this in mind, would this configuration be enough or should I opt for two single ovens and one combination microwave/oven/warming drawer in 3 tall units. DH thinks I'm insane to want this many, which is fair enough.

Can I ask what oven configurations you have and if it's enough for you? Do you wish you had another oven or do you rarely use a second or third oven? We've ruled out a range cooker as I prefer the look of a built in oven (e.g a Neff)

I’ve got a small range cooker with two ovens and a grill. Works perfectly for entertaining.

I’ve got two full size ovens (and a separate microwave). I like to have lots of oven space. Also they look neater side by side than two different units.

I’ve a range cooker so two ovens and a seperate microwave. To be honest on a day to day basis I only use one oven, but we have friends over every month or so, at least nine people and I use both then, in addition I’m hosting a Boxing Day dinner for 11 and will use both then. So useful when hosting, but I don’t need more.

We went from a large range oven with 2 full size ovens, a separate grill and a separate warming drawer, plus a stand alone microwave, to one full size built-in oven and a built in combi oven/microwave.

Very occasionally I wish I had a second full size oven but really only once or twice a year. Not necessarily at Christmas when there tends to be only 8 of us, but at dinner parties when I'm hosting 10 or 12 for a 3 course sit down meal. However, I usually only host for 8 which is very doable, and if there are more of us then I plan what I'm cooking!

I did Christmas dinner for 12 2 years ago and that was perfectly manageable with the oven configuration I've got. I guess if I had a huge kitchen I might go for the luxury of a second full sized oven plus combi microwave and grill, but I wouldn't sacrifice anything in my current kitchen to achieve that.

And having now got eye level ovens, nothing would induce me to go back to a range.

Speaking up for the one-oven minority here...

2 full size ovens and a combi microwave, I am glad I stuck to my guns as DH needed a lot of persuading. One of the kitchen designers was also very patronising and skeptical about my need for 2 ovens, we didn't go with him.

I have 2 full size ovens. One above the other in a bank of built-in units. Nearly bought a 1.5 size single oven, glad I didn't.
I don't have a microwave.

It does depend on the size and shape of your kitchen too, of course. It would be foolish to try to squeeze two full sized ovens into a tiny kitchen.

I think that warming drawer looks a bit small. Useful to fit serving bowls in it. I have a Neff one but think it is larger.

Just to add, I'm not keen on a separate countertop microwave and would prefer it to be built in.

The kitchen is going to be pretty big - around 5 metres by 8.5 metres. After 3 years of self-renovation and living in an absolute wreck with two young children I want the kitchen of my dreams! I'm guessing that three tall units wouldn't be too much of an issue in a square room this big if I opt for three ovens (two full size and one combi/microwave)?

Two full size ovens side by side and separate microwave.

To add, i used to have a large falcon range cooker, i much prefer the individual ovens and induction hob, over the range with gas top which was evil to keep clean.

I've got a range with a larger and a smaller oven which is perfectly fine for dinner parties (admittedly my cooking is pretty basic).

I would double check the internal dimensions of the built in ovens you're considering. We've decided again built ins as they have pretty small capacity and generally won't fit things like a turkey.

A range with a full size has and a half sized electric oven. It isn’t enough. I had 2 full sized ovens in my old house and will do again when we re do this kitchen.

I have 3 full sized ovens. One is part of the wood burning stove so is only in use in winter. I regularly use the other 2, loaf of bread cooking in one while dinner is in the other for example.

We have a Lacanche range and an Aga.

One oven, one sink and a tiny kitchen. I do have a thermomix though and find it very useful as I can't fit four pans on the hob.

One single oven and one combination oven. Don't often cook for more than 7 though.

2 single ovens side by side with an induction hob over the top. It's built into a chimney breast so has the feel of a range. No microwave.
I use the 2nd oven 2-3 times a week and would have the same again.

It’s weird, I ripped out the eye level ovens when we replaced the kitchen and put a range in instead, I wouldn’t go back to the eye level ones, I couldn’t make peace with them . I suspect it must be what your used to. Plus I don’t think they look very nice, so would rather they were lower out of sight, I guess maybe when I’m older it would be beneficial but as I can still bend easily enough it’s fine.

Crumbelina, ours is configured how you want. It is so much better on my back than the range that we inherited with the house. I am really happy with it.

Actually, no it's not, they are stacked (2 ovens then microwave), I am tall (5ft 9") and damaged a disc in my lower back when I was in my early 20s so it works (my DC (13 and 11) can reach the microwave easily which is something we only thought about once design was confirmed and kitchen ordered!).

Definitely have two ovens if you can. So useful.

We moved into a house with two built in side by side and I never knew I'd use them so much. We also have a built in microwave which we barely use (not a combi) and despite the two ovens often wish I had a warming drawer, so your option looks good!

Family of 4 here who entertains for larger numbers a few times a year. We currently have 2 single ovens and a standalone microwave on the side.

My new kitchen will have 2 singles under the hob and a steam oven and combi microwave in tall units. I can't stand the fact that currently I permanently have a microwave on the side and that the steamer comes out the cupboard every time I cook vegetables.

We use the 2 single ovens regularly enough for it to be worth it for us and the microwave and steam oven are just a nice to have for me.

We did think about a range type cooker with one big oven space (900mm) which definitely has its advantages but I love the flexibility of being able to cook at different temperatures at the same time

Hmm, lots of different configurations here - thank you all! I'm going to read through them all carefully a bit later.

Allegretto, please don't mention your Thermomix. I'm ridiculously jealous!