As our culinary choices have evolved, cooking and baking methods have changed accordingly. As a result, you see the local market full of different types of oven for baking. They differ in size, price, heat source, etc.
With so many choices, you must be wondering which type of oven is best for you. Well, there is no clear answer. Best type of oven for baking depends upon the type of food you want to cook or bake. For your convenience, we have gathered a list of common types of ovens and their benefits.
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Types of Oven for Baking
There are two major types of ovens. These types are divided based on the distribution of heat. Let us see both of them here.
Convection Ovens
These ovens are better at heat distribution. It is mostly referred to as a thermal ovens; however, they can also be electric. Convection ovens have fans that circulate hot air inside the oven. Due to this, you can get evenly baked food. It is the reason why many prefer it for roasting. Let us see the pros and cons of convection ovens.
| Pros | Cons |
| Even cooking due to circulated air | Not ideal for gentle baking (cakes, breads, pastries, etc. as they don’t rise appropriately in circulated air) |
| Shorter cooking duration than conventional ovens | Price is higher than conventional ovens |
| Energy efficient (due to shorter cooking time) | Recipes need some adjustment (Time stated in recipes is generally for conventional oven. These ovens take less time for baking so the time must be adjusted accordingly) |
| Can cook multiple dishes evenly | Overcrowding can block fans |
Conventional Ovens
Conventional ovens have one sided heat source. It can be thermal or electric. Due to one heat source, it creates heated air pockets inside. The bottom side has a heating element that heats up the air. As the hot air rises, this oven becomes hotter at the top. Which is the reason why most of the dishes are well cooked from the top, rather than the bottom. There are high chances that the bottom side will cook quicker and might get burnt if the grill or tray is placed too close to the heating element.
Some of its pros and cons are:
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to use: Due to its long history, people are familiar with cooking times, temperature, and functionality. | Uneven cooking |
| Most recipes are made for this type of oven | More chances of burning |
| Useful for a wide range of cooking / baking methods | Longer baking time |
| Generally cost less than the convection ovens | Require more energy for preheating (less efficient) |
Types of Ovens as Per Heat Source
Classification of ovens as per heat source is also available. They are categorized into four main types. Let us discuss them here in detail.
Gas Oven for Baking
As the name suggests, this oven uses gas as the heating source. There might be a fan in the case it is a convection oven or it might not have one if it is a conventional oven. They are among the most popular ones. It is mainly due to their ability to produce moist heat that prevents food from over-drying. Moisture Is an important element of many food dishes so this oven is suitable for most of them. Due to quick production of heat, baking is faster than electric ovens. Let us see the pros and cons of this oven.
| Pros | Cons |
| Inexpensive cooking | Useless in winters due to gas loadshedding in Pakistan |
| Faster baking | Not ideal for roasting (due to moisture production) |
| Better cooking quality | Potential risk (leakage at home) |
Gas Oven Price in Pakistan
You can buy gas ovens at an average price of Rs.20,000 to Rs.40,000. Price varies depending upon brand, type, functions, size, and other factors.
Electric Oven for Baking
Electric ovens are one of the most popular types of oven in Pakistan. They have an electric heating element for cooking. This oven type may or may not have a fan depending upon the oven category (conventional vs convection). It transmits the heat in a more controlled way. Some of them might have one heating element at the bottom side while some have multiple heating elements (bottom, right, left, top side) for even baking. Let us see their pros and cons.
| Pros | Cons |
| Better adjustments / control (temperature, time, mode, etc.) | Expensive cooking |
| Ideal for roasting | Slower cooking than gas ovens |
| Better heat distribution | Useless in power outages |
Electric Oven Price in Pakistan
You can buy electric ovens at an average price of Rs.15,000 to Rs.40,000. Price varies depending upon brand, type, functions, size, and other factors.
Steam Oven for Baking
This type of oven uses steam as a source of heat while cooking. It is considered the healthiest baking oven as it keeps the items moist due to the steam in it. It requires little to no oil in the baking process. However, you can also use the oil as per your requirements. Steam is produced by boiling the water in a container. Many sources show that it preserves the flavor of food and retains the nutrients better than other ovens. Let us see its pros and cons.
| Pros | Cons |
| Healthy cooking | Slow cooking time |
| Better food taste | Expensive |
| Moist food | Needs frequent cleanings |
| Even cooking | Doesn’t suit all foods (items that need browning or crisping) |
| Less risk of burning | Less recipes at the moment |
Steam oven price in Pakistan
Steam ovens are not common in Pakistan so their supply in the market is limited as well. Due to which, its price can range from Rs.70,000 to Rs.250,000 depending upon various factors.
Traditional Ovens for Baking
As the name suggests, it is a type of oven made with stones or bricks. It is mostly heated with coal or wood. The heat is transferred to bricks or stones that bake the food at extreme temperatures. They are less popular now but some people still use them, especially in restaurants.
| Pros | Cons |
| Can reach extreme temperatures | Require a lot of space (not suitable for homes) |
| Ideal for baking (pizza, bread, etc.) | Pricier |
| High smoke production (not eco-friendly) |
Traditional ovens for baking Price in Pakistan
Well, there is no specific price tag for this type of oven. People build their own traditional ovens at home and the cost varies depending upon many factors.
Let us see the pros and cons of traditional ovens.
Ovens for Baking as Per Cooking or Baking Capacity
Now, we will discuss the oven types as per their capacity.
Single Oven
A single compartment has just one compartment in which you can cook the food at a specific temperature. It doesn’t take up a lot of space so it is beneficial for a smaller kitchen as well. The oven might have different compartments / sections but you cannot set different temperatures for both.
| Pros | Cons |
| Takes less space | Cannot cook occasional multiple meals at different temperatures at a time |
| Less expensive |
Single oven price in Pakistan
The price of a single oven depends upon the heat source (electric or gas). You can get one for an average price of Rs.10,000 to Rs.30,000.
Double Oven
Double ovens are among the best type of oven for baking if you have a large family. You can cook two items at a time in different compartments. The advantage it has over the single oven with two sections is you can set different temperatures for each compartment in this one. It can also be called “two single ovens”. It is the most suitable for large families and for people who frequently throw parties at home.
| Pros | Cons |
| Cook multiple meals at 2 different temperature settings at a time | Take more space |
| Useful for people with large families, etc | Expensive |
Double oven price in Pakistan
You can buy double ovens at an average price of Rs.20,000 to Rs.45,000. Price varies depending upon brand, type, functions, size, and other factors.
Other Types of Ovens
There are some other types of oven that you must know. Here are some popular ones.
Microwave Ovens
Well, it is a type of electric oven for baking but it uses microwaves to heat up the food item. Many use microwave ovens for reheating purposes. However, some use them to cook the food as well. Many come with different cooking modes so people can make different types of dishes in them.
| Pros | Cons |
| Quick heating | Can dry the food |
| Precise controls | Danger of food poisoning |
| Easy to clean | Useless in power outages |
| Can defrost the items |
Microwave oven price in Pakistan
You can buy a microwave oven at an average price of Rs.10,000 to Rs.15,000. Price varies depending upon brand, type, functions, size, and other factors.
Roaster Ovens
Roaster ovens are small ovens for baking or roasting different items. They are slow but are useful when you are on a vacation. Smaller ones can be taken on trips as well. Here are their major pros and cons.
| Pros | Cons |
| Small size | Compromised baking quality |
| Less energy requirements | Slow cooking |
Roaster oven price in Pakistan
You can buy a roaster oven at an average price of Rs.10,000 to Rs.15,000. Price varies depending upon brand, type, functions, size, and other factors.
Stove Ovens
Any oven that has a stove in it is a stove oven. They are among the most popular types of ovens in Pakistan. Most people need a stove for regular use and an oven for special occasions. So, they are the best available option for this purpose. They come in both electrical and gas options.
| Pros | Cons |
| Multiple options in one (stove+oven) | If the insulating sheet between the oven and stove is damaged, the temperature of the oven cannot be controlled. |
Toaster Ovens
Toaster ovens are among the small types of oven having a portable grill in them. They can be used to toast bread, make pizza, etc. However, they are not good for cooking different types of foods.
| Pros | Cons |
| Small size | Useful only for specific baking methods |
| Less energy requirements | Easy to use |
You can buy a toaster oven at an average price of Rs.5,000 to Rs.15,000. Price varies depending upon brand, type, functions, size, and other factors.
Conclusion
Different types of oven for baking are available nowadays. However, you shouldn’t just buy the one that offers the most functions. It is important to know which oven is most suitable for your home. Check if there is a gas shortage or electricity load shedding frequently in your area. Also, see the type of food you mostly make. Understanding these things will help you choose the most suitable oven for your home.
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