Wall ovens are a great invention in the history of technologies. They make life a lot better by saving space and making chores a lot easier especially if you cook regularly.
If you are tired of carrying heavy trays back and forth and you loathe how much space regular ovens occupy in your kitchen, wall ovens are here to save your life.
They are also cost-effective and give your kitchen a modern and neat look. You will be a lot relieved from carrying heavy trays with hot vapor gushing in your face.
So, here rises a question. How high should a wall oven be? If you are thinking of installing a wall oven and are confused regarding the measurements, you are at the right place.
Wall oven height
The height wall oven height depends on whether the wall oven is single or double. Generally, for a single oven, the height can be from 27 to 29 inches, and for a double oven, the height can be up to 51 inches. The height of combination ovens can be from 40 to 44 inches.
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Single and double ovens are quite similar. However, double ovens provide twice the space as single ovens and also allow you to cook simultaneously at different temperatures.
While single and double ovens are widely discussed, combination wall ovens are also very convenient and useful. They consist of a microwave and oven with the same width and depth as a single and double oven.
Here’s a detailed overview of double and single-wall ovens which are commonly used worldwide.
Double wall oven:
Double wall ovens give you the ability to roast, broil and cook simultaneously as well as at different temperatures. They are more flexible as you can prepare your dish at a faster rate.
They are usually 24, 27, or 30 inches wide, and their depth range from 22 to 27 inches. Their height can be up to 51 inches.
However, their depth usually stays between 22 to 24 inches to fit in standard cabinets. If you consider the handle and doors then it can be up to 27 inches.
They occupy the same space as single ovens in terms of depth and width. The only difference is their height.
You can keep one of your prepared meals warm in one of the compartments while you wait for another to get cooked as they offer the ability to multitask.
If you have a joint family or cook a lot then double wall ovens are perfect for you. However, they are not much convenient if you are on a budget as you will have to customize your walls for the oven to fit in.
Single wall oven:
The single oven consists of an oven and grill in the same compartment. They will not allow you to multitask as they have both functions in one cavity.
But, if you are low on budget then single-wall ovens are suitable for you. Like double wall ovens, they are also of the same width and depth.
They have a width of 24, 27, or 29 inches and their depth ranges from 22 to 27 inches. Their height can be up to 29 inches.
They do not take up a lot of space and they fit in standard-sized cabinets. You will not have to renovate your kitchen for them to fit in.
If you do not cook a lot of meals of great amount every day then they are the perfect choice for you.
How much clearance does a wall oven need?
A standard clearance of 3 inches is required between the walls of the cabinets while installing a wall oven.
According to the thumb, a gap of 3 inches (75mm) is essential for every size of an oven. Measure the depth, height, and width and leave an extra 3 inches gap for each side.
This space will permit you to fit any standard oven housing unit. This gap also protects the other cabinets from the heat of the oven.
If you are purchasing a wall oven with a width of 29 inches then you must build the cabinets leaving 3 inches in all both for the oven to fit in. Hence, the cabinet should be 35 inches in width.
If you are replacing an old oven then make sure to research online and buy an oven that will fit in your existing cabinets leaving a gap of 3 inches.
2 factors that determine the wall oven height from the floor
It can be difficult to determine the correct height for the wall oven. You have to be careful while deducing this as installing a wall oven is a costly process and you will not be able to do this several times.
The best way to keep you away from this trouble would be to keep these 2 factors in mind while deciding on the height of the oven from the floor.
User’s height:
Although there is a standard height provided, it can be adjusted according to the user’s comfort.
If you are taller or shorter than average you may adjust the height of the oven according to your preference as it is a lot safer and easier that way.
The door should reach your waist as then it would be easier for you to carry hot trays. No one wants to bend too much while cooking so it has to be determined carefully.
Size of the built-in cabinets:
Chances are high there is already built-in cabinetry for your wall oven so you need to make sure to adjust the height before fitting your wall cabinet in.
How to install a wall oven at a proper height?
Wall ovens make our lives easier by saving us from carrying heavy trays back and forth with hot air gushing in our faces.
However, if we do not install them at a proper height, the level of comfort will be compromised. As the installation process is quite costly, most people cannot afford to alter it.
The key is to get everything right during the first installation process. By following these steps you can make sure to install your wall oven at a proper height.
Determining your choice:
The very first step would be to decide whether you are going for a single, double, or combination oven. All of them require different height settings,
Once you decide which oven best suits your requirements then you can move forward to the next step.
Establishing your comfort:
The next step would be to adjust the height of the oven doors according to your height. If you are going for a single oven, you simply need to adjust the oven door’s height according to your waist.
However, if you are opting for a double oven then you must be extra careful while determining the height.
You must adjust the level making sure that the lower oven’s door does go beyond your waist at knee level. Also, make sure that the upper door stays within your reach so that it is not risky for you to carry heavy and hot trays.
Kitchen’s capacity:
The last step would be to ensure your kitchen’s capacity. Altering the height of the built-in cabinets can be a hassle so installing the wall oven at a height that agrees with the cabinets can be a solution.
If you are building a new kitchen then this should not be a problem for you as you can build the wall oven space beforehand which will add a tinge of modernization while serving the purpose.
After following all these steps you can determine the accurate height at which your oven should be installed.
Where should wall ovens be placed?
You should place the wall oven where it suits your kitchen best and also provides you appropriate comfort.
Here are some suggestions for you to decide which location you find most appropriate.
Beside or under a cooktop:
The best place would be to put it beside or under the cooktop as it does not require carrying dishes back and forth.
Beside a refrigerator:
You can immediately start cooking marinated proteins and it also gives your kitchen a neat and sophisticated look.
Perpendicular to the countertop:
This allows the oven door to be opened right next to the countertop making it easier for you to transfer hot plates from the oven.
Traditional positioning:
Some houses have built-in cabinets for a wall oven exactly behind the fireplace of the living room facing towards the kitchen.
Under a counter or inside a cabinet:
This classic location saves a lot of space.
Final thoughts
To sum up, there’s a standard range of 27 to 51 inches for single and double wall oven heights and it can be adjusted according to the user’s comfort. By following the steps mentioned above you can acquire the perfect height required for the installation of your oven.