Mini oven as second oven: when does it really pay off?
A mini oven as a second oven makes sense whenever your main oven is too small, too slow, or simply occupied all the time. This applies to larger households, enthusiastic home cooks with ambitious menus, and anyone who cannot afford to wait between courses during a dinner party.
The key advantage of a compact second oven: it preheats far more quickly than a large built-in oven – often within five to eight minutes – and uses less electricity in the process, because it only heats the space it actually needs. If you want to bake a small cake or a baking dish for two people, you do not necessarily need to bring a 70-litre oven up to operating temperature.
You can find an overview of all available models in the bakeVIA mini oven collection.
Which situations call for a second oven?
There are concrete everyday situations where a second oven offers real added value:
- Christmas and festive meals: main course in the main oven, side dishes or dessert in the mini oven – two temperatures at once, no switching required.
- Shared households: multiple residents, different meal times – a compact second oven reduces friction over the single oven.
- Meal prep: if you batch-cook several dishes at once, a second oven doubles your output without significantly more effort.
- Summer heat: a small oven heats up the kitchen far less than a large built-in appliance.
- Renovation or moving house: an ideal temporary solution when the built-in oven is missing or not yet connected.
Is a mini oven as a second oven energy-efficient?
Yes, in most everyday situations a compact mini oven uses less energy than a full-size oven for the same task. A 25-litre appliance drawing 1,400 watts requires significantly fewer kilowatt-hours for short baking or reheating sessions than a 70-litre appliance at 3,500 watts, which would need to be kept at temperature for longer to achieve the same result. The efficiency gain comes from the smaller interior volume and the shorter preheat time.
Important: for large roasts or several trays at the same time, the main oven is still the right choice. The mini oven as a second oven complements – it does not replace.
What volume does a second oven need?
The answer depends on what you want to prepare in the second oven. As a rule of thumb: 25 to 35 litres is enough for bakes, toast, snacks and gratins for one to two people. From 45 litres upwards, larger dishes and pizzas fit in as well. A 60-litre model with a rotisserie spit works as a fully capable second oven for more ambitious dishes.
| Model | Volume | Power | Feature | Typical use as second oven |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| bakeVIA Mini Oven 25 L | 25 L | approx. 1,400 W | Compact, fast preheat | Snacks, toast, reheating, 1–2 people |
| bakeVIA Mini Oven 35 L | 35 L | approx. 1,800 W | Fully enamelled, easy to clean | Casseroles, small cakes, side dishes |
| bakeVIA Mini Oven 45 L | 45 L | approx. 2,000 W | Double-glazed Low-E door, turbofan | Pizza, casseroles, desserts alongside the main course |
| bakeVIA Mini Oven 60 L with Rotisserie | 60 L | approx. 2,200 W | Rotisserie spit, large capacity | Festive meals, poultry, full-featured second oven |
What should you look for when buying a second oven?
Not every mini oven is equally well suited as a permanent second oven. Keep the following points in mind:
- Interior volume: too small means limitations, too large takes up unnecessary space. 35 to 45 litres covers the daily needs of most households.
- Fan-assisted heat (turbofan): even heat distribution is especially important for baked goods. A fan also shortens baking times.
- Door insulation glass: double glazing with Low-E coating keeps the outer door cooler and reduces heat loss – a safety consideration when children are in the household.
- Ease of cleaning: a fully enamelled interior is much easier to wipe clean than uncoated steel walls.
- Warranty and certification: bakeVIA appliances come with a two-year warranty and CE certification.
Mini oven as second oven: who is it less suited for?
Those who regularly bake on multiple trays at once or prepare very large roasts will run up against the limits of a mini oven as a sole supplementary appliance. Anyone without a free countertop should also measure carefully beforehand – even the most compact model needs some clearance on all sides for air circulation.
For everyone else: a well-chosen mini oven as a second oven is a practical, space-saving and energy-efficient addition that quickly becomes an everyday essential.
Our recommendation for your second oven
For most households looking for a reliable second oven, the 45-litre model is the standout choice: enough volume for real daily tasks, a turbofan for even baking, and Low-E double glazing for safety and efficiency. If you also want to roast poultry or larger cuts occasionally, go for the 60-litre model with rotisserie spit.
bakeVIA sells these models directly through its own online shop. Find the right mini oven on the bakeVIA Mini Oven 45 L product page – or compare all sizes in the full collection.