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With the advent of new technologies, slick, intuitive user-interfaces and bold designs, there has never been a better time to upgrade your kitchen with a modern wall oven.
With available features like Dual-VertiCross convection (Wolf) for more uniform oven heat, user-friendly touch screens (Miele, Dacor and Jenn-Air) to guide you through a new recipe, hybrid-ovens (speed, combi-steam) and so on, the wall oven has truly come of age.
ADA Compliancy
When shopping for an ADA compliant wall oven, however, the choices narrow but are way better than any time before.
To be considered ADA-compliant, a wall oven must meet the following requirements:
- Maximum high forward reach for controls and operating mechanisms is 48"; maximum low forward reach is 15".
- Controls and operating mechanisms must be operable with one hand and shall not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist. The force required to activate controls shall be no more than 5 lbf.
- Ovens shall have controls on front panels; they may be located on either side of the door.
Furthermore, the placement or mounting of the wall oven in the kitchen can have an impact on whether or not the end result is considered ADA compliant.
Brands
Bosch, Electrolux, Frigidaire, Gaggenau, Maytag and Whirlpool all offer ADA products. As one would expect, while there are a number of features that are shared among these brands, each one has their own unique look and the prices can vary from brand to brand depending on size (30” is by far the most common; they are available in 24” and 27” as well). Convection or non-convection, self-cleaning mode would be a few considerations.
That being said, although not deemed a necessity in order to meet ADA compliance requirements, one feature has a big impact on overall accessibility and ease-of-use: the side opening door. When combining the compliance requirements mentioned previously and the side opening door feature, two manufacturers immediately come to mind: Bosch and Gaggenau. We will look at these two and a few others as well.
Frigidaire FFEW3025PS - $1,099
- Even Baking Technology
- Self Cleaning
- Large Capacity
- Ready-Select Controls
- Bright Lighting
- Built With American Pride
- EvenAir True Convection with Third Element
- Power Preheat
- Precision Cooking System
- Precise Preheat
- Precise Broil
- Precise Bake
Electrolux EI30EW35PS - $2,099
- Perfect Taste Convection
- Perfect Taste Temp Probe
- Fresh Clean Technology
- Large Capacity
- Luxury-Glide Oven Rack
- Built With American Pride
- Genuine European Convection
- Wall oven can be installed flush
- TFT control panel with SteelTouch buttons
- Auto Probe: takes the guesswork out of rare medium and well done cooking.
- Model needs to be ordered Left or Right Hinge Specific
- Full Extension telescopic rack
- Fits most competitors cut outs for easy replacement
- Large 4.6 cubic ft. size.
Gaggenau BO 480/BO 481 – $6,399
- Handleless door / automatic door opening
- Pyrolytic self-cleaning
- Universal heating system with 17 heating modes, with meat probe, rotisserie spit and baking stone operation
- TFT touch display
- Electronic precision temperature control from 85° F - 550° F.
- 4.5 cu.ft. net volume
Summary
Which is best? Well I would subdivide ADA buyers into two distinct groups.
There are builders who need to portion a number of units for ADA by law. If you fall into that group, then one of the more basic brands should be fine to comply with the laws.
For higher end construction, then Electrolux or Bosch would be excellent. With Gaggenau being appropriate for custom or premium homes.
If you personally need ADA, the side opening doors of Bosch and Gaggenau will be more convenient and user friendly. Gaggenau has the touch control door, so you never have to pull a handle or door.
Recommended Reads
Additional Resources
Get the Yale Wall Oven Buyers Guide with features, specs and inside tips to every brand. Well over 100,000 people have read a Yale Guide.
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