If you can’t imagine using the words “oven” and “high-tech” in the same sentence, chances are you haven’t been looking for one in a while. If you still have a white cooker you pray won’t leave your food cold in the centre, the latest oven features may surprise you.

For example, did you know you can now get ovens that clean themselves? Did you know you can program your oven to have dinner ready by the time you get home? Don’t worry, we’re here to bring you up to speed on what’s cooking in the wonderful world of ovens.

Getting started

Gas vs. electric

Many people swear by gas cooktops, but ovens are a different matter. It’s a common belief that gas ovens heat up and cook quicker, but electric ovens have now caught up. They’ve become multifunctional machines, allowing you to use different parts of the oven for different purposes at the same time.

Built-in vs. freestanding

Your kitchen layout will have a big influence on the oven you choose. If you already have a freestanding oven (combined oven and cooktop) and don’t plan on redesigning your kitchen, it might be best to stick with that style. They’re good for small kitchens — some are only 50cm to 60cm wide. Otherwise, give a built-in oven serious thought: it doesn’t have to live under the cooktop and can be installed at a height that suits you, so it’s easier to retrieve heavy pots and clean.

When one’s not enough

If you have a big family or often cook a feast, consider a double oven — actually two ovens, with separate doors and functions. They can be placed on top of or next to each other. Or you can buy a “one-and-a-half” — a standard oven, plus a smaller secondary oven. Another option is the extra-wide version (available in 70cm to 90cm widths).

Open sesame

Most oven doors open downwards, but there are also side-opening doors. Since you can get closer to the oven itself, these make it easier to take food in and out. Choose from left- or right-hand door options.

Now you’re talking!

Here’s a glimpse at four clever, tech-savvy oven types designed to make life easier.

1. Self-cleaning ovens

These work via pyrolytic cleaning or catalytic liners. A pyrolytic oven heats to about 500ºC and turns dirt into ash, which you can wipe away easily once it cools. Catalytic liners absorb splatters of fat and food; when you heat the oven to 250ºC for an hour, splatters burn off, making it easy for you to wipe clean.

2. Halogen ovens

The latest in oven technology, halogens promise to cook food faster than conventional ovens while still maintaining nutritional value. LG says its halogen heater oven, the SolarDOM Light Wave is “the fastest in the world” and minimises the need for oil and butter in cooking. Similarly, Bosch claims its LightSpeed cooks up to 70 per cent faster than a conventional oven. It uses a combination of halogen lights, quartz elements, microwave and conventional heating technology. For example, a 1.5kg boned leg of lamb, which would take two hours to cook in a conventional oven, should take only 43 minutes in the LightSpeed oven.

3. Steam ovens

Manufacturers claim steam ovens are a healthier way to cook food because not as many nutrients are lost during cooking. It’s worth noting that steam ovens, similar to microwaves, won’t give your food that “browned” look. Prices start from about $2300 for an Electrolux combined steam and conventional oven.

4. Preprogrammed ovens

Several ovens now allow you to use preprogrammed recipes. Press a button stating what food type and food weight you are cooking and the oven selects the cooking temperature and time for you. The Electrolux Milano E0B679)X oven ($1589) has 10 recipe programs, while the Omega 00971XA oven, $1799, has seven cooking functions and a programmable electronic timer.

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