Should you buy a double oven range? The pros and cons

A stove with two ovens (aka a double oven range) sounds extremely useful, but there are some things to consider before you set your heart on one.

A double oven range puts two smaller ovens in the space a single oven usually occupies. You control each compartment independently so that you can cook different foods at different temperatures simultaneously.

As you might imagine, splitting one oven into two comes with tradeoffs.

Picture Thanksgiving dinner: The turkey needs a long, slow roast, while the stuffing, vegetables, rolls, and dessert all need oven space at different temperatures. A double oven range solves that problem, but only if the turkey fits in one of the compartments.

Think about what you cook and how you cook it, and understand the appliance's features so you can choose what's best for you.

The benefits of a double oven range

Cooking at two temperatures at once

Two ovens let you cook foods with different times and temperatures without constantly adjusting a single cavity. Roast at 375 degrees F while you bake a side dish at 425 degrees F, or bake cookies while you heat a pizza. You can also keep one dish warm while another finishes.

With one oven, you have to prioritize, compromise on temperatures, or cook in stages. With a double oven, you can theoretically divide the workload. But a double oven doesn't necessarily let you cook twice as much food. It gives you more flexibility.

The smaller oven is convenient for quick, everyday cooking

If you're cooking for one or two people, there's no need to heat a huge oven cavity. The smaller upper oven handles lighter cooking loads and typically preheats faster.

You get more flexibility without changing your kitchen layout

A double oven range appeals to someone who wants two ovens but doesn't want, or can't accommodate, a separate wall oven. You get two independently controlled cooking spaces while keeping the standard 30-inch range footprint and your existing kitchen layout.

It can make holiday cooking easier

For people who regularly host holidays and dinner parties, or entertain large crowds, a second oven can go from a bonus to genuinely useful, as long as everything you're cooking fits inside.

The cons of a double oven range

Neither oven may be as large as a traditional full-size oven

This is the biggest tradeoff: A single-oven range has one large, uninterrupted cavity. A double oven divides that space. So check whether each oven accommodates the cookware you use regularly, like large roasting pans, oversized Dutch ovens, or tall dishes.

Don't assume total oven capacity tells you whether your cookware will fit. Check the dimensions of each cavity. Two ovens totaling 6.7 cubic feet don't necessarily function like one 6.7-cubic-foot oven.

The lower oven requires more bending and eliminates the oven drawer

If ergonomics matter to you, think carefully about this. To maintain as much capacity as possible, the lower oven may sit closer to the floor than you're used to, which makes heavy cookware harder to load and remove. Pulling anything off the bottom rack, like that Thanksgiving turkey, can feel like lifting it off the floor.

You also lose the oven drawer. If you store cookware or bakeware under your oven, you'll need to find another spot for it.

The upper oven can be too small for certain dishes

The smaller upper oven excels at low-profile dishes like pizza or casseroles, but it can't fit large roasting pans, Dutch ovens, or sometimes even cake pans.

The exact limitation varies by model, so check usable rack dimensions, not just total capacity.

You may pay more for a feature you rarely use

Double ovens sit on the higher end of the price spectrum for 30-inch ranges. If you host a dinner party once a year but otherwise use your oven for one sheet pan of chicken and vegetables, a double oven might not justify the premium.

A single oven provides more uninterrupted interior space, easier access, and more room for oversized cookware.

How often have you genuinely wished you had two oven temperatures available at the same time? If the answer is "every week," a double oven could be worthwhile.

If it's "once or twice a year," you may be better off with a larger, higher-performing single oven.

You might also consider a standard oven paired with a countertop oven. If you can live with a smaller cooking capacity, a countertop oven can serve as a substitute for the upper oven without sacrificing a full-size cavity.

Double oven FAQs

Is a double oven better for large families?

Not automatically. The number of people you cook for matters less than how you cook for them. A large family may benefit from two ovens because they often cook multiple dishes simultaneously. But a family that regularly cooks large quantities of a single dish may prefer a single oven where everything fits at once.

A double oven is better for:

• Chicken, vegetables, and dessert
• Multiple side dishes
• Meal prep
• Cooking at multiple temperatures

A single oven is better for:

• Oversized roasting pans
• Large turkeys
• Multiple large sheet pans
• Large-batch baking

Are double ovens more energy efficient?

It depends on how you use it. If you mostly use the smaller upper oven, you heat a smaller cavity and use less energy than a large oven demands. But don't buy one primarily for energy savings.

Convenience and cooking flexibility should be the main reasons to choose one.

What features should you look for in a double oven range?

• True convection: Convection improves airflow and baking consistency, especially in the larger cavity. Check whether one or both ovens have convection, and whether the system includes a third heating element for true convection.
• Oven size and rack dimensions: Measure your largest roasting pan, most frequently used baking sheets, and largest casserole dishes, then compare them with the interior dimensions of each oven (not just total cubic footage) to make sure they fit where you'll use them most.
• Preheat time: The smaller upper oven may heat more quickly, which makes it useful for everyday cooking.
• Controls: Front vs. rear placement, knobs vs. touchscreen, and how easily you can run each oven separately.
• Self-cleaning features: Two ovens mean more appliance interior to clean. Look for traditional high-heat self-cleaning or steam cleaning options.

What types of double oven ranges are available?

You can find a double oven range in any fuel source you prefer: gas, electric, or induction. Since you'll already pay more for the double-oven feature, expect induction at the high end of the price range.

In our roundup of double oven ranges, the GE Profile PS960YPFS shows what a sleek double oven electric range with touch controls looks like, while the KitchenAid KFGD500EBS covers the gas side with front knob controls. In the induction category, the Café CHS950P2MS1 stands out.

The bottom line: Is a double oven range worth it?

A double oven range is worth considering if you regularly cook multiple dishes that need different temperatures. For busy families, frequent entertainers, and avid small-batch bakers, the flexibility can make cooking significantly easier. But don't assume two ovens are automatically better than one.

If you rarely need two temperatures at the same time, a large single oven may be more useful day-to-day. You'll get one uninterrupted cooking cavity, easier access to your food, and more room for oversized cookware.

Ask yourself: Is a second oven something you'll use, or are you giving up a more useful full-size oven for a feature you only need occasionally?