Just as the name suggests, a double oven is two separate ovens placed on top of one another. Each oven has their own door, functions and cooking temperatures. Sometimes one oven is larger; in other cases both ovens offer the same volume of cooking space.
Generally speaking, double ovens are always electric (as opposed to gas).
Double ovens are perfect for people who love having friends round for dinner. With two separate ovens, you can cook your main meal in one, and a dessert in the other. The separate compartments help to keep cooking odours from mixing, and it also means you can cook at two different temperatures.
You can also use one oven to cook your meal while the other oven keeps your plates warm.
Please measure the space available in your kitchen before you buy. Not all double ovens are the same size, so please check the dimensions to make sure of a good fit.
The average elevated oven measures 600mm in width, with heights varying between 888mm and 1230mm. Bear in mind that you may also need to measure the doors and hallways leading to your kitchen before you make a purchase.
The oven capacity between brands will vary. Generally speaking, the smallest double ovens offer a combined capacity of around 90 litres, whereas the larger models can give you as much as 200 litres.
(Note: most ovens will advertise the gross capacity, which will always be larger than the net capacity. For this reason, it's best to check the product manual before you buy).
A pyrolytic oven uses high temperatures (of around 500°C) to convert grease splashes on the oven walls into a fine, powdery ash. This process is known as pyrolysis - which is where pyrolytic ovens get their name. The door of the oven will lock while the pyrolytic cycle is happening, but once it has cooled down you will be able to wipe the ash out of the oven with a damp cloth.
Please note: before you start the pyrolytic cleaning cycle, you will need to remove all metal trays and racks from the oven, otherwise they will buckle in the heat. Generally speaking, the cleaning cycle will last for around 1.5 - 2 hours.
Pyrolytic ovens are great primarily because they reduce your exposure to harsh cleaning chemicals. Plus, they save time - no more scrubbing!
Before operating a pyrolytic oven, please refer to the manufacturer's instructions as described in the operator's manual, as all models are slightly different.
Some ovens come with catalytic liners affixed to the oven walls, which are designed to collect grease and grime. When your oven reaches a temperature of 200°C or above, this grease and grime will burn off and convert into ash. Once your oven has cooled down, you will be able to wipe this ash away with a damp cloth.
Depending on how frequently you use your oven, the catalytic liners will need to be replaced or turned over periodically.
Catalytic liners will save you time and effort. However please note that you will still need to wipe down the oven shelves and door regularly to keep your oven completely clean.
Some ovens feature an internal grill inside the oven itself. This means that only the top element of the oven is used. The grill feature is great for browning the tops of potato bakes, frittatas, and more.
Most ovens feature double glazing (i.e. two layers of glass in the oven door) as standard. However some offer triple or even quadruple glazing. This has two benefits: it helps to keep heat locked inside the oven (for more efficient cooking), and it helps to keep the outside of the oven door cool while the oven is in use.
Some large ovens incorporate a tangential cooling fan, which circulates cool air around the outside of the oven carcass to keep your kitchen cool.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our customer service team 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call us on 1300 000 500.