At a Glance:
Pros & Cons of Electric Range Single Ovens
Price Ranges of Electric Single Ovens
Energy Usage Pros and Cons for Electric Range Double Ovens
Pros & Cons of Double Oven Ranges
Price Ranges of Electric Range with Double Oven
The time of a single oven seems to be waning, but is an electric range double oven right for you? Gas ranges are rarely available in dual oven models, although some dual fuel ranges have a double electric oven with a gas stovetop. Electric range double ovens have a primary oven and a smaller oven, however there are a wide variety of designs for side by side double ovens, top and bottom double ovens, and double ovens with a baking drawer.
Use this guide to learn more about the pros, cons, and benefits of a single vs double oven electric range.
Single Oven Electric Ranges
The traditional electric range has a single oven. These single oven electric ranges are often sufficient for the average household, though it may not offer enough functionality to make large meals or bake large batches on occasion.
Energy Usage Pros and Cons
The average energy usage of a single oven electric range is 2.3kWh or roughly $0.30 per hour. If you don’t use your range regularly the energy costs are negligible. You will use less or more energy depending on the temperature. For example, running a self-cleaning cycle uses 6kWh or about $0.78 per cleaning.
The large capacity of single oven electric ranges are rarely necessary more than once or twice per year. However, the entire convection oven must be heated to the same temperature and maintained to bake evenly. A thin tray of cookies uses the same amount of energy to bake as a pizza or a meatloaf.
Benefits of Electric Range Single Ovens
The biggest reason people prefer a single oven is that they want to be sure they can cook a turkey at Thanksgiving. A single oven capacity is certainly more than large enough, but it can be far too much space for some baking.
Another reason people prefer single oven electric ranges is that they like having the storage or warming drawer underneath the oven. Double oven electric ranges don’t have storage and warming drawers, using the space to add to the oven capacities instead.
Cons of Slide In Electric Single Oven Ranges
Professional and avid bakers often find single oven ranges to be limiting. Most models offer convection technology designed to ensure even baking, so you can put more than one tray of cookies, cupcakes, pies, etc. into the oven at once. However, if you are baking more than one thing at different cooking times and temperatures, a single oven can double your time in the kitchen.
It also takes longer to bake in a single oven electric range because you must preheat the entire capacity of the oven regardless of how large or small the item is. You must preheat the oven for the same amount of time whether you are baking a turkey or a tray of fries. This can also add to your time chained to the oven while baking.
Price Ranges of Electric Single Ovens
Electric single oven ranges can cost anywhere between $584 to $9099, offering options for every budget and meeting the needs of even the most professional level bakers. Lower-end models are an average of $760, with models ranging up to $1,000.
The Whirlpool single oven electric range is a great option for busy households on a budget. At the high end of the budget-friendly models, the Whirlpool single oven electric range has one very important feature that makes it worth the price – Frozen Bake technology.
This allows you to bake frozen meals and dishes without preheating and by following the instructions on the package. It is even designed for the conventional oven directions to be used, including the temperature so that there is no manual conversion to convection oven required. Timers tell you when to check on the food, and the AI lets you know if you should add more time when it’s done.
In the mid-range, the KitchenAid single oven electric range makes preparing meals on the go easy and painless with their convection features. Easy Convect converts cooking times and temperatures from conventional oven to convection oven, eliminating room for error.
KitchenAid also offers Even Convect technology, which promises even baking even when using multiple racks and trays. Furthermore, it has a hidden bake, which covers the element so it’s easier to clean if there is a spill.
Who Should Buy an Electric Range with a Single Oven?
The average household that doesn’t use their oven often can easily benefit from the lower-end and mid-range models of single oven electric ranges. If you don’t bake often, don’t cook frozen foods, and spend little time in the kitchen overall, the decreased number of features on a double oven of comparable price isn’t worth the tradeoff.
Double Oven Electric Ranges
Electric ranges with double ovens have been gaining in popularity over the last several years. Like other appliances and tech, popularity tends to decrease price. This has happened with double oven electric ranges. There are now models available for every budget, with features that reduce energy costs as well.
Energy Usage Pros and Cons for Electric Range Double Oven
Having a smaller oven available for appropriate items can reduce energy bills and usage. The smaller oven is usually sufficient for everyday foods, especially those cooked on trays like fries, nuggets, pizzas, cookies, and other snacks.
Using the smaller oven for these items significantly decreases energy usage over a single oven electric range. It takes less time and energy to preheat, and less energy is required to maintain the temperature for even baking.
Of course, you will use more energy when using both ovens than you would a single oven, even if they are about the same total cu. ft. space. But if you are only using the larger oven on occasion and use both ovens for only large meals, the overall annual energy usage of the double oven still amounts to savings.
To discover if a double oven might save you money on your energy bills, use this handy tool from Energy.gov to estimate your energy costs. Consider how often you would use the larger oven or both ovens at once to calculate how much energy you could save with the smaller oven option.
Benefits of Double Oven Ranges
The biggest benefit of having double ovens is being able to cook two things at different temperatures at the same time. Every busy parent knows the frustration that the fries and nuggets never cook at the same temperature or for the same time. You might adjust the temperature and cooking time to try baking both things at once, but they probably aren’t going to come out quite right. Having double ovens allows you to handle these obstacles with ease.
Another feature of double ovens for busy households is that it takes much less time to preheat the oven for those smaller items. If you’re only cooking one pizza or other frozen meals, the smaller oven is more than sufficient. This decreases the time between hungry bellies and happily-fed children.
Cons of Electric Range Double Ovens
There is a tradeoff to having that second oven. Most models eliminate the storage or warming drawer to make room for the double oven design. This can be a minor inconvenience or a deal breaker depending on the size of your kitchen and other storage options available.
Another disadvantage of electric range double ovens is that they don’t offer as many rack positions. Often single oven ranges have as many as 7 rack positions, but since the capacity of either oven is less than a single oven there isn’t room for those added rack options.
Price Ranges of Electric Range with Double Ovens
You might think double ovens would cost more, but there are actually many models available in the same price range as single oven electric ranges. However, some high-end models might be more. High-end models may have varying feature options that can be customized, so talking to our experts at Aztec is important for getting an accurate price on your desired appliance brand.
The difference in price is about included features. A low-end double oven electric range is about the same price as a single oven, but you will get less features overall in exchange. Mid-range models have the features you would expect from the average basic single oven range.
The LG double oven electric range is a great example of a mid-range electric double oven. This electric range has a 4.3 cu. ft. capacity for the larger oven, and the top oven is 3 cu. ft. The overall capacity of the ovens combined is more than a single oven, but not by much.
This double oven electric range has only a few features, such as LG Easy Clean and LG Pro Bake. If you want better features, you’ll need to look at more expensive models. The GE double oven electric range is an example of this. The price is closer to high-end single oven models, but you get mid-level features.
The upper oven of this model has only a 2.2 cu. ft. capacity, but this is sufficient for most items baked on trays as well as frozen meals. The smaller capacity means it uses even less energy to heat. The lower oven is the average 4.3 cu. Ft. capacity, which is more than sufficient for the average turkey.
Other Things to Know About Double Oven Electric Ranges
Many people have concerns about double oven ranges. One of those concerns is that they question the ability to cook a turkey in a smaller oven. The 4.3 cu ft capacity standard to double ovens is large enough to cook the average turkey, up to about 20 pounds.
The other concern people have is that some double oven options can seem bigger overall, and they are worried it won’t fit in the available space in the kitchen. While both of the double oven ranges listed here are freestanding, they will slide into the standard 30” cutout.
Who Should Buy an Electric Range with a Double Oven?
In addition to avid bakers and busy families, those who like to play host or hostess will truly enjoy double ovens. Cook appetizers in the smaller oven while your main dish bakes undisturbed in the lower. You can also use the double ovens to bake both a main dish and dinner rolls at the same time, allowing you to add fresh bread to every meal.
Still not sure about whether or not a double oven is right for you? Come by and talk to our appliance experts at Aztec to get help choosing an electric range.
Why Trust Aztec Appliance?
Since 1972, Aztec Appliance has been offering quality sales and service for name-brand appliances. Our mission is to not only help you achieve all your appliance dreams, but we also want to bring value to your home beyond materialistic amenities. Our team is an authentic group of people dedicated to our work, and we share the same undeniable passion for people and serving them the best we can. Suffice it to say, we know appliances.
Whether it’s a first birthday, a backyard wedding, or a retirement celebration, our hope is to give you the opportunity to enjoy life’s little moments. After all, memories are not consigned to the big moments — they exist within the little ones. And you can rest assured our inventory of top-performing kitchen, laundry, and outdoor appliances will help you spend less time keeping the home and more time with the people who make it home.
Shop Ovens at Aztec
Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today, and shop ovens online for the guaranteed lowest price at Aztec. Check out Aztec Appliance reviews, and if you have questions, our friendly product experts are always happy to help you chose the right oven for your food preparation needs — whether you call us at 858-987-5777 or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by our Aztec Appliance San Diego showroom located at the heart of downtown. Visit us today!
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