Will I regret not getting a bigger oven?

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We are having an extension done, so starting the kitchen layout from scratch (although won't be massive).
Most kitchen layouts posted here or online seems to have either a range or a eye level double oven (plus hob).

I'm not too keen on eye level oven as I'm only 5'2 and the layout I want doesn't lend itself well to a double oven, plus I want to maximise counter space.

Another option is a 90cm wide range, but they are over double the price of a 60cm built under double oven (£1500 vs about £600 for build under plus hob), plus I know that food can get inbetween the counter top and cooker too.

We currently have a built under oven, and we manage as we don't cook roast type meals. It's usually used for roasting veg, baking a cake, cooking a lasagne etc. I've cooked for about 15 people with not much hassle.

We are a family of 4 with DCs 9 and 7. Will I regret not going for a bigger oven? As they get older will I need more oven space?

TIA

You might consider having a tall 600mm unit installed, with an electrical outlet for a cooker. Then if you decide to add a double oven later, you can. Until then it can be a larder and pan store (pan drawers are fantastic). A double oven can't be plugged into an ordinary socket.

the shelves in an oven tower can usually be set at whatever height you want (they are extra-thick) so it could be at your eye level, which might be lower that a giant's eye-level. You could also put a combi microwave in there (very useful).

You may need to get some spare matching door fronts if you are contemplating changing the layout later.

I've gone off undercounter ovens as you have to crouch or kneel to clean them or reach the bottom shelf.

It's easy to add new circuits and outlets while you are refitting the kitchen, much more expensive and disruptive afterwards. Mine is littered with outlets and has a cooker circuit on each side of the room.

60cm definitely seems to be going out of fashion, unless there's a 2nd twin alongside it.

We have a 60cm stand alone cooker. The oven and grill/2nd oven are both good sizes and might be bigger than your built unders. It's a bit pinched at christmas if we have guests but we manage. I have no wish to sacrifice a whole cupboard space for an additional oven that we only used once a year - if you're pinched occasionally then I reckon you've got it about right overall.

I would love to have a 90cm range cooker, I must admit, but that's driven by the hob size rather than ovens and I would expect the tall narrow oven that a lot of them have mainly used for baking tin storage! But I don't own one, the reality may be different.

The idea of an extra cupboard for later conversion is a good one. I think it also depends on the size of your kitchen generally.

We have an oven and a combi oven rather than a double oven, as we didn’t have space for a microwave as well. As has been said, you can be flexible with what height they go in at. I had the layout of ours switched as I realised I couldn’t access the combi properly as the door opened right at boob height so getting stuff in and out was a pain!

Now I have the oven at the top as it has a hide & slide door, and the combi underneath. It works really well. And I have ended up using the combi more than I expected as if I am just cooking something on one baking tray it seems easier to use the smaller space. Also very handy if you are trying to cook something on 220 at the same time as something on 180.

Nah! I have a 55cm single oven (+ an eye-level grill - very old fashioned!) and it's absolutely fine. There are 4 of us and I cook/bake lots and have dinner parties fairly regularly. About twice a year I wish I had another shelf for the oven but not actually more space in the oven. We don't do roasts either - I think these demand much more space because they are tall compared to everything else you cook.

I went for a 90cm range. It's a Flavel from Currys. Great reviews. I love it. Just over £600. Best money I've ever spent. There's only me and DD but I would never ever go back to a single hob / oven. Mind I do cook and bake an awful lot. And is be totally lost at Christmas!

I hate my 60cm single oven I survive with it my life would be much, much easier with a range or double oven.

A built under double can be quite cramped, if you’re used to a single I’d stick with that or a freestanding double.

We have two single ovens, one on top of the other. The higher one is a perfect height for DH while the lower one is good for me. We are really happy with that arrangement! I hate bending down for under-counter ovens.

Eye level ovens are the work on the devil. I've only really just got rid of the burns from my last rented place, and I'm 5'8".

We have a Kenwood range oven and 5 ring hob above, with two boards over the hob. Most nights, I use a max of two pans, so the board on the other half acts as extra counter top. Would something like that work?

Thanks for the replies.

It's good to know that we can get the double oven adjusted to my height. That's certainly something that will have to be done if we get a wall oven.

But the only place the wall oven could go is against a wall, next to a window. Like in this photo (not my kitchen....)
Would it block out light? There will be a velux window right above though...

Also would be more difficult to get things in and out of the oven?

I also have a single oven + a combi microwave/oven and it’s the perfect compromise. Recommend!

I have heard that with a combi microwave, you have to wait till the oven is completely cool before using the microwave function. Do you not find that inconvenient? I use my microwave a lot, especially warming up last night bits for dinner whilst using oven too.

No you don’t have to - it’s bettwr if it’s cooler otherwise you end up with crispy things that you’re trying to defrost. But no need to. I use the combi function all the time too - gives a nice crisp top to eg a pie whilst cooking it through properly on microwave power.

I should say that I have a double range too and absolutely love it! So for me it just depends on what you are cooking and how often.

I find my 60cm double oven sufficient for big family meals and dinner parties. You'd be better off with a good one like this than spending more on a mediocre range cooker. My £400 60cm cooker is much better than my mum's £900 range.

Snowdayfet sounds great! Can I ask you for the make and model please?

INeedNewShoes Is that a double oven which is built in or build under?

I have a combi, and if it is really hot, the microwave won't start until it cools a bit.

Leaving the door open for a couple of minutes does the trick.

We have 90 Cm range. One large oven, one skinny, 5 burners. Bloody awesome.

I can’t do wall ovens as have mega dodgy wrists, and we couldn’t fit a 100 or 110 range in.

We’re very happy with this and it was around £1100

I wouldn’t put an over right next to the window. It will look squashed. And just go with the same set up as before if it works for you.

We have an ‘undersized’ kitchen with a single fridge (ie not American) and a small range despite living is a very large house. It’s frankly more than we need anyway.