August 13, 2026
Single vs Double Ovens: Which Format Suits Your Kitchen and Cooking Style?
You may not realise this, but the size of your oven can have a huge impact on life in your kitchen. You could end up with a single oven that is too small, or a built under double oven that doesn’t fit under your hob! To help you make the right choice the first time, this guide explains the variety of oven sizes available at Appliance City and the benefits of each.
12 min read
Built In Single Ovens
Perhaps the most common oven type, built in single ovens offer one cooking zone and are built into your kitchen cabinetry. Typically fitted with adjustable wire racks, single ovens offer space to cook larger dishes and often come with specialised programmes such as grilling and defrost modes.
Built in single ovens are usually 60cm wide, meaning they’ll fit into most kitchen units. If you have a bit more space to fill, you can also find 90cm built in single ovens from a variety of trusted manufacturers. We are proud to supply some of the highest energy rated built in single ovens, making them ideal for daily use. Cook delicious meals that reduce bills and protect the environment with A, A+ and A++ energy rated built in single ovens.
While built in single ovens are a popular choice for many households. It is important to remember that they only have one cooking space, meaning you cannot cook using different temperatures and programmes at the same time. This can make things difficult if you like your meals with all the trimmings.
Built In Double Ovens
Designed to fit into tall housing units, built in double ovens allow you to cook multiple dishes at once in two separate cooking compartments. This unlocks a world of versatility, allowing you to cook with high and low temperatures and with different settings at the same time. This dual functionality is fantastic for households that love to host.
We supply many 60cm wide built in double ovens, making them suitable for most kitchens. Better yet, models are top energy rated, coming with ratings up to A. Cooking just one dish? Using the smaller, upper cavity on its own is a great way to use less energy when cooking. If you plan to regularly use both zones at the same time, it is important to note that built in double ovens will use more electricity and will take more time & effort to clean.
Built Under Double Ovens
Built under double ovens are very similar to double ovens with their stacked, small above big oven design and 60cm width. How they differ is in their installation. Built under double ovens are designed to be installed underneath your kitchen worktops, usually beneath your hob. Built under ovens are ideal for kitchens with less cabinet space, offering a streamline, minimalist cooking experience rated A for efficiency.
While built under double ovens are a great space saver, you should think about their lower positioning before purchasing. You will have to to bend down to operate it, which can make things tricky for those with lower mobility. Some air venting induction hobs are not suitable for installation above a built under double oven, so you should consider this if you already have one of these hobs or are thinking about getting one in the future. Learn more with our air venting hob guide.
Steam Ovens
Here is an option you may have not considered yet! At 60cm wide, steam ovens have a reservoir of water within the appliance that turns to steam during the cooking process. Cooking with steam has plenty of advantages, locking in moisture and flavour for even more delicious results than a standard dry heat oven. Steam ovens usually only have one cavity and are sometimes combined with a microwave to create one multifunctional & compact appliance. They are energy efficient too.
While steam ovens are a great way to make dinnertime healthier, you should remember that they offer a smaller capacity and operate differently to what you are used to. If you are ready to try something new, go for it!
Cleaning Types
There’s nothing worse than having to scrub away at a dirty oven for ours and barely making a dent. This is why the majority of ovens on the market come with self cleaning capabilities – another factor to consider when buying a built in oven. Look through the most common oven cleaning features.
Pyrolytic ovens offer a unique setting that heats the interior of each oven to high temperatures, reducing food debris to ash that can be simply wiped away with a damp cloth. Pyrolytic built in ovens offer fantastic maintenance, reducing the risk of scratches and keeping your oven looking fresh for years to come. Plenty of manufacturers have pyrolytic technology, with this useful feature available on single ovens and double ovens – no more kneeling on your hard kitchen floor!
Catalytic built in ovens feature specially designed interior walls that absorb cooking grease. The walls grip onto grease and break it down while you cook. You will still have to manually clean food residue, however catalytic liners make the process far easier and less frequent! Catalytic ovens are generally more affordable than pyrolytic ovens, but they will need to be replaced every so often to maintain their effectiveness. How often you will need to change the liners will vary from brand to brand.
Built in ovens with steam assisted cleaning provide an efficient way to make cleaning your oven easier. They transform water into steam, which softens and loosens grease and food residue – making wiping away messes with a damp cloth and sponge so much easier. Steam clean cycles use minimal energy, making the process cheaper than other self cleaning cycles.
The oven liner that started it all, enamel liners offer a smooth ceramic coating that prevents grease and odours from building up overtime. Built in ovens with enamel liners are relatively easy to clean with a damp cloth or sponge and will need to be regularly maintained to ensure your ovens interior looks its best. Built in ovens with enamel interiors are some of the cheapest on the market but will need more manual maintenance after each use.
Colour
Just because ovens are an essential kitchen appliance, doesn’t mean they can’t suit your vibe! Single and double ovens come in a variety of aesthetically pleasing shades – something you may want to consider when shopping for a new appliance. From the classic stainless steel, to the sleek graphite and timeless black, you are sure to find a shade that matches your other appliances and complements the rest of your kitchen design.
In Conclusion...
While the colour and cleaning type are important factors to consider when purchasing a built in oven, your final choice will ultimately depend on:
- Where you want to install your new oven
- How many people you will be cooking for on a regular basis
- The type of meals you will be cooking
If you only have space to install in your tall kitchen cabinetry and fancy making a stacked cooking setup with a built in microwave, we recommend a built in single oven. These are also a great choice for smaller families and kitchens that only offer additional cooking space under your hob.
If you love to host and cook a variety of meals at the same time, enjoy two cooking spaces that can be controlled at eye level with a built in double oven. If you still want more space and versatility but are limited on installation options, you will love a built under double oven placed underneath your hob.
If you fancy trying a new and healthier cooking method, you really can’t go wrong with a single cavity steam oven, especially if you have space in higher cabinetry.
We hope this guide has given you a good idea of whether your kitchen needs a single or double oven. If you are still unsure what will work best for your space, give our team of appliance experts a call on 0115 965 1937 or visit our showroom in Nottingham.
Shop All Ovens
Miele VitroLine Dialog M-Touch Pyrolyitc Single Oven DO7860OBBL - BLACK
Neff N50 Slide + Hide Pyrolytic Single Oven B6ACH7HH0B - Stainless Steel
Neff N50 Slide + Hide Pyrolytic Single Oven B6ACH7HG0B - Graphite
Miele VitroLine Dialog M-Touch Pyrolyitc Single Oven DO7860OBBL - BLACK
Neff N50 Slide + Hide Pyrolytic Single Oven B6ACH7HH0B - Stainless Steel
Neff N50 Slide + Hide Pyrolytic Single Oven B6ACH7HG0B - Graphite
Samsung Series 5 Dual Cook Flex Pyrolytic Multifunction Single Oven NV7B5750TAK - Black
Samsung Series 4 Pyrolytic Multifunction Single Oven NV7B41307AS - Stainless Steel
Smeg 90cm Classic Pyrolytic Multifunction Single Oven SFP9302TN - Matte Black
Smeg Built Under Cucina Double Oven DUSF400B - Stainless Steel
Smeg Built Under Cucina Double Oven DUSF400B - Stainless Steel
