Which is better - an oven or a mini-oven: a comparison of devices, their advantages and disadvantages

Two different types of kitchen appliances can be used for baking: ovens and mini ovens. The first is stationary, the second is mobile.

And what is better to choose for domestic use? What are the main advantages and disadvantages of each mini oven and oven? What should an ordinary buyer know in advance, even before buying such equipment?

Main characteristics of ovens

The oven is a stationary oven for baking, grilling, meat dishes. It can be either a separate element of equipment or be built into a gas stove.

Either a gas burner or an electric heating element is used as a heating element.

Conditionally divided into:

1. Dependents. These are exactly those that are built into gas stoves and hobs.
2. Independent. That is, they are placed separately. As a rule, such ovens are used only in catering establishments, as they have a large volume, are designed for quick baking, heating food or maintaining a set temperature.

The number of burners is usually only one. Located below. But for a more correct distribution of hot air, an upper heating element, more often an electric one, is also provided. And it's also used for grilling.

Most modern ovens also have 1 or 2 spit holders (large and small).

Main characteristics of mini ovens

In 99% of cases, they have an electric heating element, which makes them mobile.After all, for operation you just need to plug them into a power outlet. Visually similar to a microwave oven. Designed for only 1 - 2 baking sheets.

But they are often supplemented with the following functions:

• grill (small or large);
• toaster (there is a special compartment for making hot toast).

Due to the small volume of the baking chamber, they quickly heat up to the required temperature. They consume a relatively small amount of electricity (when compared with traditional electric ovens).

Which is better - oven or mini-oven

And in order to understand which version of the oven is better, you need to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each of the indicated types, as well as conduct a comparative assessment of their characteristics.

Dimensions

Mini ovens are more compact and mobile. As a rule, the volume of the inner chamber, where baking is performed, rarely exceeds 80 - 100 liters. A great option for those kitchens where free space is limited and it is important to save every available square meter. But at the same time, only one dish can be cooked at a time in such an oven.

Ovens in most cases are more voluminous, designed to immediately install 2 or more baking sheets. This allows you to cook several dishes at the same time.And due to the larger volume, such ovens often also have a fan (convection), and convenient lighting (which is often lacking in mini-ovens), and several fasteners for skewers (for grilling).

Functionality

Ovens are more functional. But, for example, the same toaster is replaced only by professional models designed for use in catering establishments.

Therefore, in terms of functionality, a mini-oven is sometimes preferable. Especially if the oven is not planned to be used very often, but it is used mainly for heating or baking pizza (according to statistics, about 60% of buyers use this operating scenario).

So in terms of functionality, you need to rely on your own needs.

Heating speed, energy consumption

Mini ovens heat up faster due to the small volume of the baking chamber. Literally 2 minutes after switching on, a temperature of 150 - 200 degrees is already maintained inside.

But gas ovens are more economical. After all, they consume relatively little gas, and its prices are lower than for gas.

Ease of use, care

Mini ovens are more compact and convenient. And due to the presence of a non-stick coating, it is also quite easy to care for them. Manufacturers recommend using special detergents without abrasive components (which can theoretically damage the enamel), as well as napkins for microwave ovens, to clean the inner chamber. Cleaning should be done after each baking.

Ovens often have an additional automatic cleaning system.

There are 4 variations of it:

1. Traditional. That is, cleaning is done entirely by hand.
2. Hydrolysis.A container of water is placed in the oven, which is heated to boiling point. And due to steam - the remnants of fat, burns are dissolved. Then it remains only to wipe the inner surface with a sponge with ordinary soap.
3. Pyrolytic. The most "aggressive" option for automatic cleaning of the oven, when the inner chamber is heated up to 500 degrees. And due to this, all the remnants of dirt are literally burned. As a rule, this automatic cleaning option is used only in professional ovens intended for catering establishments.
4. catalytic. The most modern version. The essence of this method is the use of special enamel, which acts as a catalyst and oxidizes fat. Therefore, removing it manually in the future will not be any problem.

Safety and durability

Ovens are more durable. Moreover, they provide the ability to independently replace the burners or heating elements.

And due to the fact that the manufacturer is practically unlimited in the dimensions of such equipment, the cabinets are equipped with triple walls and heat-resistant glass. Therefore, getting a burn when working with such equipment is almost impossible.

Mini ovens are more compact. As a rule, there are two-layer walls, glass - similarly consists of 2 plates (thinner). And it is much more difficult to repair them, as a rule, for this you have to contact an authorized service center.

Design, price

Ovens are more expensive due to the greater functionality, the volume of the baking chamber. But they are preferred for those who often bake. And the design of cabinets is rarely carefully worked out.The exception is dependent ovens, which are part of a gas stove. Here there is a wide selection of models and designs, including “under retro”.

Mini ovens are designed for independent installation. Therefore, they most often use a more elaborate design so that such a technique fits into any interior. They are cheaper, although there are those models that will cost the same price as a full-fledged oven (especially if it is a modern model with a touch panel for control and toaster functions).

Advantages and disadvantages of ovens

If you focus on the reviews of the buyers themselves, then we can distinguish the following advantages of ovens:

1. Wider functionality.
2. Easier to clean. Especially those models in which partially automatic cleaning of the baking chamber is provided.
3. Cheaper to operate. Relevant only for those cabinets that use gas.
4. Dependent models also act as a hob. There are both gas and induction heating - there is plenty to choose from.

The main disadvantages of ovens:

1. They take up more space in the kitchen.
2. Warm up longer. And if this is a model that uses gas, then ventilation of the room is also required before switching on (a basic safety requirement). And you can use such an oven only if there is good ventilation, since a large amount of oxygen is burned during the operation of the cabinet.
3. Not mobile. That is not the best option for those who often have to move.

Advantages and disadvantages of mini ovens

Key benefits of mini ovens:

1. Compact. In size - no more than the same microwave oven.
2. Warm up quickly. After 1 - 2 minutes you can start baking.Adequate ventilation is not a requirement. The main thing is a socket designed for a load of more than 16A (on average, a mini-oven consumes 2 to 3 kW of electricity).
3. They have a more elaborate design, so they fit into almost any kitchen interior.

Disadvantages of mini ovens:

1. Less extensive functionality, although manufacturers have been carefully working on this lately.
2. Not suitable for simultaneous cooking of several dishes. As a rule, there are only 1 or 2 baking sheets, but the temperature in the entire chamber will be the same.
3. Harder to clean. The function of automatic cleaning of the baking chamber is usually not provided. Only in the "flagship", the most expensive models, special non-stick enamel can be used.

Conclusion

Most buyers agree on the following:

1. For those who want to save space in the kitchen, and also often move and do not use the oven very much, the best choice is an electric mini oven. Moreover, it is not necessary to buy the most technically advanced model. The principle of heating is the same for all of them. It is better to pay attention to the presence of convection, as well as internal illumination.
2. For those who bake often, it is better to give preference to full-fledged ovens. For most buyers, dependent ones, that is, built into a gas stove, will be more than enough for domestic tasks. And when buying, you should pay attention to the presence of such functions as automatic shutdown, the number of internal burners, spit mounts.

Overall, ovens are better in most respects.But if the oven is planned to be used rarely, then it is better to choose a mini-oven. The demand for such equipment is quite large, therefore, there are a lot of offers from different manufacturers.

Useful video

About what is better - an oven or a mini-oven, they will tell in the video story: