Oven or mini oven

It is difficult to imagine a modern kitchen without a mini-oven or oven, because only in them you can bake pies, cook your favorite casseroles and other dishes. But if it becomes necessary to purchase new equipment, it is often difficult to determine which equipment is right for you. Deciding which oven or mini oven is best for your needs is not easy at all, is it? Some housewives need, for example, a grill that is present in mini-ovens, others need a large baking sheet for pies, and they never use a grill.

We will help you understand this issue - in our article we will compare the mini-oven and oven according to the main criteria that are fundamental when buying. Consider the main functions of these types of equipment and features of installation, connection, operation and maintenance.

The main characteristics of the mini oven

A mini oven is a small, compact device about the size of a microwave that can be safely placed on a kitchen counter, shelf, or windowsill.

It is powered by electricity, but the principle of operation of such a stove is fundamentally different from the operation of a microwave oven. The furnace is heated by two heating elements, which can be switched on together or separately, depending on the required mode. For example, to cook puddings, casseroles, you can only use the lower heating element, but if you need to bake a chicken with a golden crust, then you will need to turn it on and top heating element.

Due to its small size, heating and temperature setting in the mini-oven is done in a matter of minutes. Modern mini ovens are equipped with features such as a grill, toaster, and the oven itself. And also it is worth noting that, in mini-ovens there is a function of maintaining a certain temperature. That is, you can set the desired temperature regime and it will be maintained for a set period of time. In the mini-oven you can stew, bake, bake.

There are electric mini ovens with mechanical And electronic management. The first option is controlled by rotary switches.

Electronic mini-ovens are controlled by buttons or touch screen. In order to start cooking in such a mini-oven, you just need to plug the device into a socket, select the desired operating mode and set the desired heating temperature, set the timer. When the dish is ready, the oven will notify you with a sound signal.

What is an oven?

The oven is a productive device for preparing various types of dishes. The temperature inside the oven is maintained by gas burners or electric heating elements. There is also a combined version.

In gas ovens, burners act as a heating element, and in electric ovens, heating elements. Depending on the configuration of the oven, there may be several burners or heating elements. In gas ovens, most often there is only one burner and it is located at the bottom, which is very inconvenient. Heating is uneven. Rarely there are models with two gas burners - upper and lower.

In modern electric ovens, there are from 2 to 4 heating elements, they allow you to evenly distribute heat throughout the cabinet. Use the grill by installing removable equipment.

Some modern models also have a fan to distribute heat more evenly. To regulate the process, there is a special control panel. Thanks to convection, you do not need to turn the dish being prepared, just turn on the top heating element or burner.

Ovens differ in combination with the hob:

• Dependent (built-in) - the hob and oven are in a common housing and are controlled from a common panel, which is not always convenient.
• Independent. Such models have their own control panel, such an oven can be built-in or installed separately.

According to the location method, floor and wall models are distinguished.

Comparison of a mini oven and an oven

Let's compare the functionality and main characteristics of the units according to the main parameters that are important when choosing the right option for the hostess in her kitchen.

Criterion #1 - dimensions and installation

The mini oven is powered by a conventional 220 W socket and is small in size. It is easy to transport, you can use such a stove in the country or take it with you on a trip.

For transportation and installation of a mini-stove, you do not need any specific knowledge and skills, any housewife will cope with this task. Here the mini-oven, of course, wins. However, for a large family, this technique is hardly suitable. You won’t be able to cook a large dish in one approach, just as you won’t be able to cook several dishes at the same time.

Ovens are produced in various sizes and configurations. In such equipment, you can cook several dishes at the same time on different shelves or bake a lot of pies or cutlets on a large baking sheet at a time. Not all models are quite large, you can choose a small floor-standing version, or a wall-mounted built-in oven, which is ideal for your kitchen.

We considered the nuances of choosing an electric oven in the article: How to choose an electric oven: rating of models and advice to customers.

If the mini oven can be connected independently, then a power outlet is required to connect the electric oven. A connect gas ovens independently prohibited - you must invite a representative of the gas service.

We recommend that you familiarize yourself with installation rules gas oven.

Criterion # 2 - the functions of the technique

Functions of the desktop mini oven:

• oven;
• toaster;
• grill;
• timer;
• the ability to maintain a certain temperature;
• defrosting.

You can use almost any utensils for cooking. For the convenience of the user, it is possible to program and select the cooking mode.

Gas oven functions:

• automatic shutdown function;
• programming various cooking modes;
• self cleaning;
• grill (not in all models);
• additionally may be convection, steamer function.

Electric oven functions:

• oven;
• grill;
• toaster;
• function of programming and selection of cooking modes;
• timer;
• steamer and sterilization function;
• warming up;
• self-cleaning function;
• fan;
• convection.

Some models have special compartments for making pancakes.

Criterion #3 - heating rate and energy consumption

The mini-oven runs on electricity, which means that the equipment can be used anywhere: in the country, in the countryside, on vacation. It warms up very quickly, which is facilitated by its small size and the fact that it is heated by several heating elements (usually 2). If necessary, you can set a certain temperature regime.

The desktop mini-oven consumes 30% less electricity than a full-fledged oven. This is due to the small size of the device. The oven is larger and warms up much more slowly. It is equipped, as a rule, with 4 heating elements, which means that the energy consumption for cooking increases many times over.

In addition, multifunctional ovens often also have a fan to redistribute the heat evenly. A fan is necessary for drying homemade marshmallows, marshmallows, crackers. So the modern oven wins here too.

Gas ovens run on natural gas, it is much cheaper than electricity and using a gas oven is, of course, more profitable in all respects. But they are usually equipped with one, in rare cases, two burners, and this is inconvenient.

Criterion # 3 - ease of use and maintenance

The mini-oven is extremely convenient in operation, it can be easily rearranged to another place. It is easy to clean with regular detergent or microwave wipes. Inside the chamber there is a non-stick coating.

Many models of electric ovens are equipped with a self-cleaning function. Some are cleaned during cooking, while in others the cleaning process must be started. independently, and after completion of the cleaning process, the surface must be wiped with a damp sponge or a napkin.

There are several methods for cleaning ovens:

• Traditional.
• Hydrolysis.
• Pyrolytic.
• Catalytic.

Traditional cleaning is done manually with a sponge and detergents. This cleaning method is very inconvenient for most housewives, since cleaning the oven takes a lot of time and effort. Such an oven is cheaper, but modern models still provide self-cleaning functions.

hydrolysis cleaning is carried out at a temperature of 40-50 °C. It is necessary to put a container with water, which will evaporate during the cleaning process. After completing this self-cleaning, the camera should be wiped with a damp cloth or cloth.

Pyrolytic cleaning is done by burning dirt and food residues. The process takes place at a temperature of 430-500 °C. This is the most efficient method, but requires a lot of energy. For housewives, of course, this method is the most convenient - the oven does not need to be washed on its own and there is no need to run an additional cleaning program. However, you need to have a separate power outlet to connect the oven.

At catalytic cleaning uses a special enamel, which contains a catalyst. When heated, it oxidizes the fat that has fallen on the walls of the furnace. Cleaning is done during the cooking process, there is no need to clean anything special. However, there are also disadvantages here - catalytic panels are short-lived and often have to be changed, which is costly.

Criterion #4 - Safety and Durability

Modern ovens are made with triple armored glass and a door opening lock, which makes them safer. They can be safely used even in a family with small children. Glass is almost impossible to break, during cooking the glass does not heat up to high temperatures.

Mini ovens are also quite safe, the front glass in them does not heat up to high temperatures.

Criterion #5 - design and cost

Mini ovens have a beautiful modern design that will easily fit into the interior of any kitchen. The range of models is also larger.

Designers work no less well on the appearance of ovens - you can choose the option in the desired color and style. There are retro models, stylish solutions with frilly handles, an original pattern and a control panel.

Electric mini-ovens are unconditionally cheaper than full-fledged ovens, but in terms of functionality they are quite close to ovens.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

A short video about the advantages and disadvantages of various types of ovens:

Recommendations for choosing a mini-oven:

The choice of the required type of equipment, of course, remains with the user. Before buying, remember what exactly you need an oven for, what you cook in it. If you use it to make pizza and pies, cook large portions of dishes for a large family at once, then, of course, it is better to choose a full-fledged oven. In the oven, you can cook several dishes at once.

If you have a small family and rarely use the oven, mainly for roasting meat and vegetables, preparing small desserts, then you can get by with a desktop mini-oven..

In addition, mini-ovens are ideal for people who often move from place to place, for summer cottages and country houses. It is economical, takes up little space, and is easy to handle. Such a small helper will allow you to easily prepare a full-fledged delicious lunch or dinner in any circumstances.

Which technique did you choose? What characteristics did you prefer and are you satisfied with the choice? Share your recommendations with our visitors — leave your comments in the block below the article. Here you can also ask questions you are interested in on the topic of the article - our experts will try to clarify the incomprehensible moment as much as possible.