Find The Best Oven For Baking Cakes With These Top Tips.

We’ve been asked many times ‘What is the best oven for baking cakes?’ A few months ago we created a blog dedicated to this question. Now, we are taking our research one step further in order to help you find an oven that will help you to create the perfect bake.

We’ll unveil a few of our favourite ovens for the baker but before we do, there are a few important things to consider that will help you on your mission to buy the best oven for baking beautiful muffins, perfectly raised cakes and delicate meringues.

Convection, Fan & Conventional Ovens – What’s The Difference?

Convection Ovens: Any oven with a fan. The majority of ovens now include a convection setting as standard but they are not necessarily a proper ‘multifunction’ oven. 

Convection is just one step up from conventional.  In simple terms, a convection oven (also referred to as fan assisted) has a fan at the back of the oven that blows heat generated from the top/bottom heating elements, around the cavity. Convection ovens are available in gas or electric models.

Fan Ovens: A true fan oven has a fan with a heating element around it, essentially a third heat source. A fan oven is always electric. 

Cooking with fan assistance, results in an even oven temperature throughout the cavity. Food will cook quicker and more evenly too. A select number of top the the range, high spec fan ovens have specialist programmes dedicated to baking and are capable of adjusting the settings automatically.  It’s always worthwhile to research the special functions available on an oven before you commit to buy.

Conventional Ovens: A conventional oven heats up using the top and bottom heating elements only, it does not have a fan. These are the cheapest ovens on the market. Although a conventional setting is recommended for baking cookies and delicate bakes it’s worthwhile to buy a fan assisted oven with both convection and conventional functions, as having both options provides greater cooking flexibility.

Oven Features Bakers Will Love!

Soft Close Hinges.

If you love to bake a soufflé or two and regularly bake meringues it is worth looking for an oven with soft closing hinges to prevent sunken soufflés and collapsed meringue disasters!

Soft closing hinges allow the oven door to close softly and quietly without a sudden jolt. Slow motion closing prevents too much cold air sweeping into the oven which helps to reduce interference to the internal temperature. It is always best to avoid opening the door during baking, a sudden drop in temperature (opening the door before the cake has set) can spoil cakes, resulting in a sunken middle!

Telescopic Shelves.

Removing and placing food into an oven with telescopic shelves is much safer and easier.  Fully extendable telescopic runners are versatile and secure. Once fully extended, you can comfortably turn food or check the ‘doneness’ of your bakes safely, without having to peer into the hot cavity.

Assisted Baking Programmes.

Some top of the range ovens now come with programmes that take the guess work out of baking and cooking! Ovens in the Samsung collection, for example, feature smart cooking technology which will monitor the bake using an AI pro camera so you don't need to open the oven door during the bake. Simply change settings or set timers from your smartphone to produce perfectly moist, beautifully browned cakes and chewy centered cookies. 

Assisted baking programmes have often been developed with the help of professional bakers and chefs as they understand that dependent on what you plan to bake, settings always need to be adjusted to suit the individual recipe. Technology and programmes tailored to a specific recipe will help you to achieve the best possible results time and time again. 

Self Cleaning Ovens - Catalytic, Hydro & Pyrolytic Cleaning Cycles.

There is no doubt about it a self cleaning oven makes oven cleaning really easy.  If you’re a keen baker and cook then a pyrolytic cleaning oven with it’s ultra tough cleaning cycle would be great choice for you. 

There are various options to look out for including ovens featuring catalytic liners, hydro cleaning cycles and also pyrolytic cleaning ovens. So what is the difference between a catalytic, pyrolytic and hydro cleaning oven? 

Catalytic Ovens.

The sides of a catalytic oven are lined with special catalytic liners that are coated with unique chemicals designed to absorb as much grease as possible during cooking. Catalytic liners are usually only placed on the sides of the oven meaning the upper and bottom sections will still need to be cleaned manually. 

Pyrolytic Cleaning Ovens.

Pyrolytic ovens feature a tough cleaning programme where temperatures soar up to 400ºC within the cavity, burning away any grease and food debris inside, turning it into ash.

The door on a pyrolytic cleaning oven will automatically lock when the cleaning cycle is in operation, only opening again once the temperature inside has lowered to a safe level. It takes a couple of hours to complete the programme but the results are outstanding! Simply wipe away the ash debris and you’re done! 

It is a cost effective cleaning cycle, costing approximately 40p per cycle. Ovens falling within the higher priced categories often have a pyrolytic cleaning cycle.

Hydro Cleaning Ovens.

Hydro cleaning ovens heat water to high temperatures to generate steam which loosens any food deposits and grease lurking inside. It cleans your oven without the need for harsh chemicals. The internal cavity is lined with a special coating which has unique cleaning properties, these are activated during a steam clean cycle and help to achieve sparkling results with ease!

Best Ovens For Baking Cakes.

Below, you’ll discover a couple of newly launched ovens that are now available to buy at Appliance House.  These models are serious contenders for the top spot on our mission to find the best oven to bake cakes! 

Samsung, NV7B7997AA Series 7 Steam Oven 

The A+ energy rated Samsung NV7B7997AA Bespoke Series 7 Steam Oven With Dual Cook Technology is a dream for home bakers looking to achieve flawless cakes and desserts.

Featuring an AI Pro Camera and Smart Cooking capabilities this oven will revolutionize how you cook. You can monitor bakes in real-time using the internal camera, ideal for delicate cakes that need consistent heat and minimal disturbance. Control settings remotely via the SmartThings App, where you can tweak temperatures or switch functions from your phone to avoid overbaking. This level of precision ensures your sponges rise evenly and your pastries brown perfectly.

For more creative baking, features like Dual Cook and Dual Steam Cook offer unmatched versatility as the upper and lower zones work independently. Bake a rich chocolate cake in one zone while steaming custard or poached fruit in the other, each with tailored settings.

The option to introduce steam helps retain moisture for soft, airy textures, while the pyrolytic cleaning system makes clean up a effortless. Whether you're baking a layered showstopper or bite-sized treats, the Samsung NV7B7997AA Steam Oven brings professional results to your kitchen.

Fisher & Paykel, OB60SD7PX1 Built In Single Pyroclean Oven

The Fisher & Paykel OB60SD7PX1 60cm Pyroclean Single Oven is packed with features that make it an excellent choice for bakers seeking precision and reliability.

Its AeroTech heat circulation ensures even temperature distribution across every shelf, so cakes rise uniformly without overbaking or uneven browning. ActiveVent technology helps regulate moisture levels, keeping sponges light, soft, and perfectly textured, essential for delicate bakes like soufflés and cheesecakes.

With seven versatile cooking functions and a powerful 3000W grill, this Fisher & Paykel oven adapts easily to everything from gentle bakes to caramelised toppings.

The rapid pre-heat function means you can start baking sooner, while the whisper-quiet operation lets you focus on your creations without distraction. When you're done, the full extension shelves allow bakes to be removed safely while the pyrolytic self-cleaning system takes care of any mess, just wipe away the ash, leaving more time to enjoy your sweet treats.

We hope you've found our tips and round up of the best ovens for baking cakes useful! We have an excellent selection of single, double and steam ovens on offer at Appliance House. Please call one of our helpful team at Appliance House on 0330 002 0229 should you require any further guidance or advice. 

We’re a friendly bunch and always happy to help.

Updated June 2025.