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Built In Oven and Hob: Set or Separate?
Built In Oven and Hob: Set or Separate?
A built-in oven and hob can go into your kitchen as a set or as separate appliances. The choice affects the layout, the space you need, the installation cost and how easily you can swap an appliance later. In this guide you will see what each option gives you, how to choose the right layout and what to check before you buy.
- A built-in set pairs an oven and hob that match each other and are fitted together.
- With separate pieces you choose the oven and the hob independently, but they need two installations.
- The oven can be eye-level, sitting at eye height in a tall unit, or under-counter, below the hob.
- Induction hobs need pans with a magnetic base, while ceramic hobs work with almost any pan with a flat base.
- Pyrolytic cleaning makes cleaning easier, but it usually adds to the price of the oven.
Contents
Set or separate: what each one means
A built-in set means an oven and hob designed to work together, usually from the same range. The pieces normally match in colour and finish, so the kitchen looks unified. For many homes this is the easiest option, because you do not have to match two different appliances yourself.
Separate pieces give you more freedom. You choose the oven with the programmes you need and the hob with the type that suits you, and you place them with more flexibility in the layout. The downside is that they need two separate installations and a more careful plan, because each piece has its own dimensions.
When the oven and hob are one unit, we call it a cooker. Our built-in sets, by contrast, are two pieces designed to match.
Eye-level or under-counter built-in oven
The first decision is not whether to buy a set, but where the oven will go. An eye-level oven sits at eye height, inside a tall unit. That leaves the hob as a separate choice, so you can pick whichever type you want. You also take food out without bending down.
An under-counter oven goes below the hob and is often the most affordable option, especially in small kitchens. There is also the one-piece cooker, with the oven and hob in the same unit. The table below shows the main differences.
| Layout | What it looks like | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Eye-level oven | At eye height, with the hob in a separate spot | Anyone who wants a free choice of hob and easy use at eye level |
| Under-counter oven | Below the hob, in the base unit | Small kitchens and anyone wanting a cheaper option |
| One-piece cooker | Oven and hob in the same unit | Anyone who wants one appliance with no combinations to plan |
Pros and cons of sets and separate pieces
- Set: a unified look and less planning, since the pieces are already matched.
- Set: less freedom, because the combination is fixed.
- Separate: you can combine any oven and hob to suit your needs.
- Separate: more work on the layout, because each piece needs its own cut-out and connection.
If you have no clear idea about the layout, a set is usually the safer choice. If you know exactly what you want from the hob and the oven, separate pieces give you more flexibility.
Built-in sets from our store
Induction hobs, ceramic hobs and pyrolytic cleaning
The hob determines how you cook day to day. Ceramic hobs work with almost any pan that has a flat base. Induction hobs only heat pans with a magnetic base, such as cast iron or magnetic stainless steel. That is why, before you buy an induction hob, you should test your pans with a magnet to see whether it sticks to the base.
Pyrolytic cleaning is a self-cleaning mode. The oven heats to a very high temperature, usually around 450 to 500 degrees Celsius, and burns off the residue, so only a little ash is left to wipe away. A cycle usually takes a few hours, so it is not something you would run every day, but it helps a lot when the oven gets dirty often.
Of the sets you see above, one has ceramic hobs and the other has induction hobs, as their names show. Two of the ovens in the cards below have pyrolytic cleaning, as their names show.
Dimensions and space before you buy
A standard built-in oven is about 60 cm wide, so most models fit a 60 cm cut-out. 2-zone hobs are usually 30 to 36 cm wide, while the more common 4-zone hobs are around 60 cm. Before you buy, check the following.
- Cut-out width: measure top and bottom, as it can vary a little.
- Depth: compare with the figures in the model's technical data sheet.
- Electrical connection: check that the kitchen's power supply matches the rating of the appliance.
- Ventilation: leave the clearance the manufacturer specifies.
Replacing an oven: what to expect
Replacing a built-in oven is usually not difficult if the new measurements match the old cut-out and the electrical supply. The old appliance is disconnected, the new one goes into its place and is connected, and the job is usually finished within a few hours by a technician.
It becomes harder when the dimensions change, when the new oven has a different power rating, or when a new power line is needed. So before you buy, measure the cut-out and keep the details of the old appliance to hand.
Which one should you choose?
If you want a solution without combinations and you have a 60 cm cut-out, a built-in set is usually the easiest choice. If you want to pair a specific oven with a specific hob, or if your kitchen has an unusual layout, separate pieces give you more freedom.
If you are only looking for an oven, see our built-in ovens. The ovens below have no hob, so you pair them with a hob of your choice.
Ovens for separate installation from our store
Frequently asked questions
What is an oven with a hob in one unit called?
When an oven and hob are in one unit, it is called a cooker. If it stands freely on the floor, it is a freestanding cooker. A built-in set, by contrast, is made of separate pieces, an oven and a hob, each fitted into its own cut-out.
Are there packages with an oven, hob and extractor hood?
There are sets that combine an oven and hob, and others that also include an extractor hood. Whichever package you choose, check the cut-out dimensions first.
Is it difficult to replace a built-in oven?
Usually not, as long as the new oven has the same dimensions as the old cut-out and the electrical supply matches. It becomes harder when the dimensions change or a new power line is needed.
Which is the most reliable built-in oven?
There is no single model that is the most reliable for everyone. Reliability depends on build quality, how the oven is used, maintenance and the warranty, so compare the technical specifications and the warranty terms.
What is the best oven and hob set?
There is no single best option for every case. The right set depends on your kitchen layout, the space you have, the type of hob you prefer and the way you cook.
What are the downsides of a combi oven?
A combi oven, meaning one that combines a standard oven with microwave or steam, usually costs more than a basic oven. It also needs more care, such as descaling on steam ovens, and if one part fails, the other functions may be affected as well.
Find the set that suits you
Built-in sets and separate ovens, with delivery across Greece.
See the built-in sets