Cooking is an art, and like any artist, a chef needs the right tools to create culinary masterpieces. One of the most important tools in any kitchen is the oven. With the right oven, you can take your cooking to the next level, and bring professional-grade cooking into your home for everybody to enjoy.
Says Sicelo Champion from Miele South Africa: “High-end ovens, such as those from Miele for example, are designed to offer unparalleled features and functionality for an exceptional cooking experience – not only will they assist with the creation of delicious gourmet meals, but they make it easy and energy efficient to do so.”
But with so many options available on the market, how do you choose the perfect oven for your home? Here are some tips to help you make the right choice:
Consider your cooking needs: The first step in choosing the perfect oven for your home is to consider your cooking needs. Do you bake frequently? Do you roast or grill meat often? Understanding your cooking habits and preferences will help you narrow down your options and choose an oven that meets your specific needs. Sicelo elaborates: “The devil is in the detail – so look for features that will help with your particular cooking requirements. For example, if you cook a lot of meat, then Miele’s rotisserie option and its patented wireless food probe are ideal, as they allow you to cook meat and poultry dishes to perfection every time.”
Think about size and capacity: Ovens come in a range of sizes and capacities, so you need to select one that fits your kitchen space and cooking needs. Sicelo explains: “If you have a small kitchen, a compact oven may be the best choice. However, if you frequently cook for a large family or entertain guests, a larger oven with a higher capacity may be more suitable. Miele offers a range of oven sizes to suit different kitchen layouts and cooking needs. Their ovens are available in standard sizes, including 60cm and 90cm widths, to fit seamlessly into most kitchen cabinetry and provide ample cooking space.”
Consider cooking features and functions: Modern ovens come with a variety of features and functions designed to make cooking easier and more convenient. “Miele ovens offer a range of convenient features that will make your life so much easier, such as programmable cooking times, MoisturePlus for tender and juicy meat preparation, and a Crisp Function for foods that need a beautifully crisp exterior. RapidHeating is another incredible feature, which is made possible using the TwinPower hot air fan that preheats the oven in no time and ensures perfectly even cooking results. Some ovens even feature an integrated camera that enables you to keep an eye on your food remotely from any mobile device. Selected Miele ovens even offer an AirFry functionality, where the oven works to circulate a hot air stream around the interior, to perfectly cook your food without adding excess fat. The hot air movement also delivers crunchy and crispy air fryer-like results to chips, chicken, vegetables and other foods,” notes Sicelo.
Go green: With the ever-increasing cost of electricity, as well as the rising popularity of solar power, the energy efficiency of your oven is one of the most important considerations when making your purchase decision. Sicelo advises: “Only choose ovens that boast low energy consumption. Almost all of Miele’s ovens correspond to EU energy efficiency class A+. This will save you a lot of energy in the long run, which is good for the environment and of course, good for your wallet too. Over and above this, like all of Miele’s appliances, its ovens are designed, tested and manufactured to last for a minimum of 20 years, which not only offers you more bang for your buck over time, but further reduces the overall carbon footprint of your appliances, making them a more environmentally-friendly choice.”
Consider maintenance and cleaning: Cleaning your oven can be a daunting task, so it’s important to choose an oven that is easy to clean and maintain. Look for ovens with self-cleaning features that can help you keep your oven clean with minimal effort. Miele makes cleaning super easy, explains Sicelo: “Many components in your Miele oven – such as the oven compartment and baking trays – feature PerfectClean: a surface finish with unique non-stick properties. Persistent soiling is easily removed using water with a dash of washing-up liquid and a sponge. Furthermore, Miele ovens feature pyrolytic cleaning programmes, a self-cleaning function that heats the oven to high temperatures to turn food residue into ash, which can then be easily wiped away. This innovative cleaning method eliminates the need for harsh chemicals and scrubbing, making oven maintenance quick, easy, and environmentally friendly.”
Make the smart choice: Choosing a technologically advanced oven for your home can significantly enhance your cooking experience and simplify your kitchen tasks. Advanced ovens offer a range of innovative features that can save you time and effort while ensuring better cooking results. One such example is the Miele@home app, which allows you to control your oven remotely from your smartphone or tablet. This app enables you to preheat your oven, set cooking times and temperatures, and monitor the cooking progress, all from the convenience of your mobile device.
Choose a reputable brand: Finally, be sure to choose a reputable brand when purchasing your oven. Look for brands that have a history of producing high-quality, reliable appliances. A reputable brand is more likely to offer a warranty and customer support, should you encounter any issues with your oven. “Miele is widely regarded as a reputable brand known for its high-quality appliances, innovative technology, and long-lasting durability. The brand has been in the business of manufacturing high-end appliances for over 125 years, and has built up a strong reputation for excellence and reliability, backed by decades of experience and a commitment to delivering superior products and customer satisfaction,” concludes Sicelo. For more information about Miele ovens and to explore the full range of features and options available, visit www.miele.co.za.
