Buy 2 Major Appliances, Save 5% | Buy 3 or More, Save 10%^♦ See Details

Order Status

Find a Store

Help

Double ovens vs. single ovens: benefits explained

A double oven range or double wall oven can give you more capacity and flexibility to cook the meals your family loves. This guide will help you learn more about both double wall ovens and double oven ranges so you can decide if they’re the right choice for you.

Whirlpool® stainless steel double wall oven in a contemporary kitchen

What is a double oven?

A double oven has two separate cooking compartments that can be set or preheated to different temperatures, times and other settings like convection cooking. Double wall ovens usually feature two equally-sized ovens while double oven ranges combine a stovetop with two ovens: usually a smaller oven on top and a larger oven below.

Whirlpool brand offers a variety of double wall ovens and double oven ranges to help you cook multiple dishes at once with features to help you further streamline meal prep.

What is the advantage of a double oven vs. single oven?

Double ovens vs. single ovens can give you more overall oven capacity as well as more flexibility to prepare multiple dishes at once that require different settings. Heating just one of the oven compartments for smaller meals lets you use just the right size oven to match your cooking needs.

Open double oven range next to an open single oven range

What are the pros of a double oven vs. single oven setups?

While a double oven can add extra flexibility to meal prep, it might not be the right setup for every family. Consider your cooking routines and kitchen space when comparing a double oven range, double wall oven, or a more traditional single oven range. Here are some of the pros of each setup to help you decide if a double oven is worth it.

Benefits of a double oven

Consider the following benefits of a double oven to decide if it is the right option for you.

Hand touching a Whirlpool® double wall oven

1. Use multiple oven functions at once

Cook two dishes with different temperature settings at the same time.
Cook multiple dishes with different techniques such as broiling in the top oven and toasting in the bottom oven.
Bake bread in one compartment while using convection settings to roast meats in the other or broil, toast and more.

Keep food warm in the top oven while finishing baking dishes in the bottom oven.

If you’re looking to achieve different cooking techniques for multiple dishes at once, opting for a double oven with convection settings can give you the flexibility you need. Select Whirlpool^® ovens including double oven ranges and wall ovens feature True Convection which uses a third element plus a fan to distribute hot air evenly over, under and around food on multiple racks.

Person putting two steaks in a Whirlpool® wall oven

2. More capacity on some models

Double wall ovens can provide more overall oven capacity with two equally-sized compartments compared to single ovens.
Double oven ranges sometimes skip the usual bottom storage drawer in favor of a larger bottom oven.

Benefits of a single oven

If you're still on the fence about which oven style to choose, explore the benefits of single ovens below to help you get started on your shopping journey.

Stainless steel Whirlpool® wall oven in a modern kitchen

1. Installation

Single ovens can usually be installed easily without major modifications to your kitchen.
These ovens commonly have a smaller footprint, making them work for smaller spaces.
If you need extra cupboard space for storage, a single wall oven will occupy roughly half the amount of space as a double oven.

Stainless steel Whirlpool® wall oven in a rustic kitchen

2. Features and setup

Many single ovens offer a storage drawer below the oven cavity, which can be used to store cookware and other accessories.
Some ovens feature a separate broiler compartment that is ideal for quickly cooking or browning items.
Single ovens may also be slightly easier to open and load into as they usually sit higher off the ground than double models.

Select Whirlpool^® single wall ovens and ranges offer additional features like Scan-to-Cook Technology and smart capabilities to help you get dinner on the table with ease.

Food cooking inside a Whirlpool® single wall oven

3. Cost

Single ovens are typically on the lower end of the price point compared to double ovens.
Since many kitchens are equipped for single ovens, there may be slightly lower installation costs as you may not need to reconfigure your kitchen or create a larger cutout.

Is it better to have a double oven or two single ovens?

Whether you should opt for a double oven or two single ovens depends on your kitchen layout and budget. Double ovens offer the cooking power of two single ovens in one appliance, making it the right choice for smaller kitchens that cook large amounts of food.

Additionally, the cost of purchasing and installing two single ovens vs. one double oven may be on the higher end as you will be purchasing two large appliances. Installation costs may also be higher for two single ovens. However, two single ovens give you the flexibility to create multiple cooking zones in your kitchen. This can be ideal for kosher kitchens or gourmet setups.

Stainless steel Whirlpool® double oven range inside a bright kitchen

More double oven FAQs to help you decide

To make your decision even easier, explore the frequently asked questions about single and double ovens below.

How do you use a double oven to maximize its benefits?

Take full advantage of the ability to cook multiple dishes at once with a double oven. While a single oven also has the capacity to hold multiple dishes, it sometimes becomes a juggling act to make sure each recipe is given its ideal temperature, timing and settings.

With a double oven, you can roast meats at 450℉ with the convection setting activated to get that perfectly browned finish—while also cooking a delicate custard for dessert in the other compartment at a much lower temperature without convection.

A double oven also helps when cooking multiple batches of the same recipe, like enough cookies for a bake sale. It allows you to continuously cycle through batches by staggering start and finish times from oven to oven. Load and unload batches from each oven at the right time without disturbing the temperature in the other compartment.

Will a double wall oven or double oven range fit in a single oven space?

Double oven ranges can fit in single oven range spaces since they are available in standard range sizes. This means you can easily replace your single oven range with a double oven model. Double wall ovens, however, will not fit in the same space as a single wall oven as they are generally twice the size and have quite different dimensions.

Learn more about wall oven sizes to find the right fit for your space.

Multiple dishes cooking inside a Whirlpool® double wall oven

Can a double oven accommodate larger items, such as a turkey?

Most double ovens will fit an average-sized turkey of around 15–20 lbs. Unless you have a prize-winning heavyweight champ on your hands, you should not be concerned about cooking up Thanksgiving dinner, complete with all the fixings in your double oven range or wall oven.

Double ovens are available in the same widths as single oven models, generally 24–36 inches wide. You will be able to fit the same wide trays, pans, and other dishes you would use in your single oven. Double oven ranges can feature shorter compartments than single ovens, but most dishes cooked at home will still fit in either compartment, with tall items better suited for larger bottom ovens.

Is a double oven worth it overall?

If your family looks forward to meals with all the sides plus dessert, a double oven can help you manage. Use the separate compartments to juggle dishes with different cooking requirements, and keep completed dishes warm while you finish cooking the rest. If cooking a simple one-pan dinner on busy nights, a double oven range lets you cook with just the smaller oven compartment. For extra capacity, a double wall oven can fit enough for school events, neighborhood gatherings, and holiday get-togethers. Whether a double oven is worth it is up to you and your lifestyle. You can also learn about different types of ovens to help make the right choice for your family. And explore our best double wall oven options to match your cooking needs.

Shop the latest deals on select Whirlpool major appliances Shop Now

Explore double ovens from Whirlpool brand

Whirlpool^® double wall ovens and ranges offer the capacity you need for your family’s favorite recipes. Whether you’re cooking Thanksgiving dinner or heating up frozen favorites, Whirlpool^® double ovens are designed with you in mind.