ovne

An oven is a heated chamber designed for cooking or baking food by dry heat. Ovens are typically part of kitchen ranges or built as standalone units, and they heat from electrical elements or gas burners, often with a thermostatic control to maintain a stable temperature. The interior is usually lined with a reflective metal surface and equipped with racks to position food.

There are several common types. Conventional electric and gas ovens provide radiant heat from the top and bottom. Convection ovens add a fan to circulate hot air for more even cooking and faster results. Wall ovens are installed into cabinetry, while freestanding ranges combine a cooktop with an integrated oven. In home kitchens, microwave, combination, and steam ovens offer alternative cooking methods, sometimes in the same unit.

Key features include adjustable racks, timers, and temperature controls. Many ovens offer self-cleaning cycles, including steam cleaning or pyrolytic cleaning, to reduce manual scrubbing. Safety features may include cool-touch doors, child locks, and automatic shutoff. Energy efficiency varies by model and can be influenced by insulation, door design, and cooking method; many jurisdictions rate energy use with labels.

Historically, ovens date back to ancient clay and brick designs and evolved with metal chambers in the 19th and 20th centuries. The advent of electric and gas ovens in the 20th century made household cooking more consistent and convenient and spurred a wide range of consumer models and features that persist to today.

In Danish, ovne is the plural form of ovn, meaning oven.