Before we get started with this buying guide, let's explain what is meant by a 'dual fuel upright oven':
Put simply, duel fuel means a combination of electricity and gas. In most cases this means an electric oven combined with a gas cooktop.
An 'upright oven' is another name for a freestanding stove. (Whereas a 'wall oven' is an oven which, appropriately enough, is designed to be installed into a wall).
Upright ovens are popular because they are easy to install - there's (usually) no need to get your kitchen cabinets adjusted. Our selection of upright ovens covers everything from the low-cost basic ceramic units through to the deluxe extra-wide stainless steel models.
Ultimately, your choice will come down to a combination of factors.
Before you do anything, please measure the space available in your kitchen. This will require a measuring tape and a notepad (NOT the approximate distance between your wrist and your elbow!).
Dual fuel upright ovens start at a standard width of 60cm, and go up to widths of around 120cm. The wider the unit, the more space you'll have on top for gas burners, and the larger the oven capacity.
A 60cm wide stove will give you 4 gas burners, which should provide ample space if you only need to cook basic meals. Wider stoves provide space for additional burners - the more burners you have, the easier it is to prepare large quantities of food.
Before you make a purchase, think about what kind of dishes you enjoy making. If you do a lot of wok cooking, for instance, look for an upright stove with a specialised wok burner. Some upright stoves also provide teppanyaki plates and fish burners (i.e. an oblong-shaped burner) for added versatility.
A wide stove will safely and easily accommodate large pots and pans - which is fantastic if you have a growing family and need to cook a lot of food.
The smallest upright ovens start with a capacity of around 60 litres, while the largest can provide up to around 100 litres of oven space.
(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).
The larger the oven, the more food you can prepare at once. Extra-wide ovens will also accommodate extra-wide baking trays, which will make your life easier come Christmas time.
A double oven is another feature to look out for. The double oven configuration usually consists of a large oven alongside a smaller-capacity oven, which can be used to cook side dishes or a dessert. The smaller oven can also be used to keep plates warm until it's time to dish up.
Every oven will come with its own set of features. Here are some to look out for:
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.
If you love cooking a traditional Sunday roast, this is a feature worth forking out for. A roast probe is a metal skewer that is attached to the oven, and can be inserted into meat to determine if it is cooked through.
Another nifty feature for people who love baking. Telescopic shelves provide extra support for oven shelves to slide easily out of the oven. This means you can slide your roast out and easily baste it while it remains totally supported on the shelf (saving you the trouble of having to lift the tray out of the oven and place it on the bench). It also means you can slide a cake out and test to see if it's cooked.
Some upright ovens come with a separate grill (which can be either gas or electric). The separate grill is great for quickly cooking chops, sausages and kebab skewers, and it's also great for making a simple meal of cheese on toast!
If the oven does not feature a separate grill, it will generally always include a grill function inside the oven itself. This means that only the top element of the oven will be used. This is great for browning the tops of potato bakes, frittatas, and more.
Available in some ovens, the hot air grill function utilises the top grill element and the fan to circulate hot air around the cavity of the oven. This produces roast meat that is lovely and tender on the inside, yet crisp and delicious on the outside. A highly energy efficient way to roast!
Specially designed to cradle round-based woks, a wok burner provides high-power heating for your favourite Asian dishes.
While normal gas burners are round, fish burners feature an elongated oblong shape. This makes it possible to use rectangular-shaped cookware, or to place your metal roasting tray directly on top of the cooktop. (You would normally cook a whole fish in a rectangular pan - hence the name 'fish burner').
Fish burners are particularly useful for making homemade gravy. After you've removed the meat from the pan, you can simply whack the pan on top of your fish burner, add a little flour and water, and stir until you have gravy perfection. Mmm!
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.