A double oven is a single unit with two independently heated cooking compartments, letting you bake a casserole at 350°F while roasting a chicken at 425°F at the same time.
Instead of one cavity, you get two — stacked vertically — each with its own temperature controls, timers, and cooking modes like bake, broil, or convection. That means two dishes at two different temperatures, running at the same time, with no compromise. But not all double ovens are the same. The two main styles — wall oven and range — differ in size, price, and how they fit your kitchen.
Double Wall Oven vs. Double Oven Range: What’s the Difference?
A double wall oven is built into your cabinetry, while a double oven range puts a cooktop on top of two ovens. Both provide two independent cooking chambers, but the experience differs. A double wall oven is installed at eye level inside a cabinet column. Both compartments are usually full-sized (27-inch or 30-inch wide), giving two equally spacious cavities — so you don’t bend to check food, and have room for a large roasting pan and sheet cake simultaneously. KitchenAid’s Double Wall Oven line is a common pick, offering convection, rapid preheat, and steam cleaning. A double oven range fits a standard 30-inch cooktop space with two ovens below. The top oven is typically smaller — perfect for frozen pizzas, casseroles, or a small chicken — while the bottom oven is full-sized and handles a 20-pound turkey. Maytag promotes this format for its versatility. The trade-off: no storage drawer, and the top oven sits lower than a wall oven, requiring more bending.
| Feature | Double Wall Oven | Double Oven Range |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Built into cabinetry; requires professional fitting | Fits standard 30-inch cooktop space |
| Oven sizes | Two full-sized compartments (usually equal) | One small top oven, one full-sized bottom |
| Eye level cooking | Yes — both ovens at comfortable height | No — both sit below counter height |
| Cooktop included | No (separate cooktop required) | Yes — built-in on top |
| Typical price range | Higher ($1,500+) plus installation costs | $800–$1,500 for standard models |
| Storage drawer | Often included below | Usually eliminated to fit second oven |
Can You Get a Gas Double Oven?
How to Use a Double Oven: Independent Cooking in Practice
Each compartment operates separately. Set the upper oven to 350°F on bake and the lower to 425°F on convection — independently — and both preheat simultaneously. Place dishes, close the doors, and each cavity maintains its own temperature. When running convection in both compartments at once, your kitchen can get noticeably hotter; ensure your range hood or ventilation is running, especially during long roasts. Steam clean one compartment while the other is in use, or run self-clean on each separately if the manual recommends it.
The Most Common Mistake Buyers Make
People often think a double oven range gives two full-sized ovens like a wall oven. It does not. The top cavity in a range is significantly smaller — think pizza, cookies, or a small roast, not a Thanksgiving turkey. If you regularly cook for a crowd and want two large compartments, a double wall oven is the right choice. If you want a second smaller oven without renovating, a range makes sense. Wirecutter’s guide emphasizes this size distinction as the deciding factor: know how much vertical space each dish needs before you pick a format. Whether leaning toward a wall oven or range, our tested roundup of the best electric double ovens compares current models on capacity, features, and real-world cooking performance.
FAQs
Do double ovens use more electricity than a single oven?
Not necessarily. Each cavity is similar in size to a single oven, so running one compartment uses roughly the same energy. Running both doubles the draw, but you cook two dishes in the same total time — which can save energy compared to baking in sequence.
Can you remove the divider in a double oven to make one large cavity?
A few models allow you to remove a center divider, creating a single tall compartment. This is rare and model-specific, so check the owner’s manual. Most double wall ovens and ranges do not offer it.
Is a double oven range harder to clean than a wall oven?
In practice, yes. The top oven of a range sits low to the ground, requiring more bending to scrub or wipe. Double wall ovens at eye level are easier to reach and clean. Both types usually include self-clean or steam-clean modes to reduce scrubbing regardless of placement.
References & Sources
- Wirecutter / The New York Times. “Why You Should Buy a Double-Oven Range (and Why You Shouldn’t).” Explains the size difference between range and wall oven compartments.
- Maytag. “Pros and Cons of Double Ovens.” Details format trade-offs and cooking flexibility.
- KitchenAid. “Double Wall Ovens.” Official product line showing premium wall oven features.