Technical Terms Explained in the Mykitchens Oven Glossary

Active Clean

Ac|tive clean

A Siemens oven with the "Active Clean" function features self-cleaning through pyrolysis. This process involves high temperatures that burn off grease and food residues, turning them into ash that can be easily wiped away. A distinctive feature of Siemens ovens is the inclusion of pyrolysis-resistant grids and rails, which can be left inside the oven during the cleaning process.

Active Multiflow

Ac|tive Mul|ti|flow

Bauknecht's "Active Multiflows" feature describes an innovative hot air system in their ovens. The back of the cooking cavity ensures uniform air distribution, resulting in perfect cooking results on every level. This feature is particularly useful for multi-level cooking, as it allows consistent heat flow across multiple trays simultaneously.

Added Steam

Add|ed Steam

"Added Steam" is a feature in Neff ovens that provides steam assistance during cooking. It is controlled via a rotary knob with two intensity levels, complementing cooking modes like CircoTherm. Neff offers different steam systems in their ovens, including Full Steam, Vario Steam, and Added Steam, each providing varying levels of steam for improved cooking results.

Air Fry

Air Fry

Air Fry (also called AirFry or Air Frying) is a cooking method that uses hot air to crisp food. It’s a healthier, fat-reduced alternative to deep frying, providing similar crispy results without the added oil. This function is becoming increasingly popular in ovens for preparing foods like fries, chicken, and snacks, offering a guilt-free version of fried dishes.

Autark

Au|tark

When referring to ovens and cooktops as "autark," it means they operate independently from each other, functioning as two separate devices. This is the key distinction between an oven and a range, where the latter combines both cooking and baking functions into one unit. Autark ovens and cooktops offer more flexibility and freedom in kitchen design.

Bratenthermometer (engl.: Roast thermometer)

Bra|ten|ther|mo|me|ter

A "Bratenthermometer" (roast thermometer) for ovens, also known as a food or oven thermometer, is an additional accessory that allows you to measure the internal temperature of dishes. This tool helps ensure that meats and other dishes are cooked to the desired level of doneness by monitoring the core temperature during the cooking process.

CircoTherm® Hot Air

Cir|co|Therm

CircoTherm® is a hot air function in the Neff oven that allows you to bake on several levels at the same time. It is similar to the Bauknecht Active Multiflow.

Combigaren

Comb|bi|ga|ren

With Miele "Combigaren" (engl.: Combi cooking), up to three automatic programs for different dishes can be combined.

ComfortFlex

Com|fort|flex

ComfortFlex is the name for Neff's telescopic pull-outs on ovens. They can be easily grasped from the side using rails and stop at a pre-set point for safety reasons so that the tray does not slip out. The Neff ComfortFlex telescopic pull-out is a standard accessory on some models, and an extra oven accessory on others that is available separately.

Cirsp Function

Crisp Func|tion

The crisp function is a cooking method in the microwave that ensures crispy results. It can be found in Miele and Bauknecht microwaves, among others.

Dampfbackofen bzw. Dampfunterstützung

Dampf|back|of|en

The "Dampfbackofen" (engl.: steam oven) is an oven with steam support. Hot steam can be added to classic cooking methods.

Dampfgarer (engl.: Steamer)

Dampf|gar|er

The "Dampfgarer" (engl.: steam cooker) is a type of oven that cooks food exclusively with hot steam and at low temperatures. This means that vitamins and nutrients are better preserved in the food because it is prepared particularly gently. The food also takes on a bright color.

Dialoggarer

Dia|log|gar|er

The Miele Dialog Oven is a unique oven appliance that prepares food using electromagnetic waves. The food is cooked faster, juicier and more gently.

EasyClean

Ea|sy|Clean

Neff EasyClean is an oven program for environmentally friendly self-cleaning and is designed for quick cleaning in between. The interior is hydrolytically cleaned using water and detergent. EasyClean is not a pyrolysis function.

EcoClean

Eco|clean

Bosch EcoClean is a self-cleaning oven. The interior has a special coating with microfine ceramic particles that absorb grease splashes.

Full Steam

Full|Steam

Neff Full Steam refers to an oven with steam support.

Food View

Food|View

Miele FoodView is the oven camera that lets you keep an eye on your food at all times. The camera sends high-resolution real-time images in HD every minute via the app on your smartphone or tablet. The extension with even more smart functions is called Smart Food ID (see further down in this article).

Gentle Steam

Gent|le Steam

Bauknecht Gentle Steam is the name of the oven that can also cook with steam.

Grill

Grill

The grill function in the oven ensures crispy results. As a rule, a distinction is made between convection grill, large grill or small grill.

Heißluft (engl.: Hot air)

Heiß|luft

In the convection mode, the heat in the oven is evenly distributed via fans. The difference between circulating air and hot air (in german: Heißluft) is that the oven is heated using a heating element. Not with top and bottom heat like with convection. This allows for even more even heat distribution, which also makes it possible to use several trays at the same time.

Herd (engl.: Oven)

Herd

The stove is an oven appliance with a single control panel for the oven and hob. It cannot stand independently (autonomously) from the hob.

Hydrolysis

Hy|dro|ly|sis

Hydrolysis is an oven cleaning method that pre-cleans the interior. To do this, you pour water with a little detergent onto the oven floor or a baking tray. The water then evaporates in the heat and softens the dirt in the interior, which ultimately makes it easier to clean the oven by hand.

Innowave

In|no|wave

Innowave is a microwave function that cooks food evenly through constant and finely dosed energy release.

Intensive baking

In|ten|sive ba|king

Intensive baking is an oven mode for all dishes with moist toppings. Low temperatures between 50 and 250° are selected to bake cakes, pastries or gravy.

Klimagaren

Kli|ma|ga|ren

Klimagaren (engl. Climate cooking) is an operating mode in the Miele oven in which the food is gently cooked by adding moisture (hot steam).

M Chef

M Chef

Miele M Chef is the cooking method used in the Dialog oven. Food is cooked throughout its entire volume. The heat is evenly distributed. Dishes are cooked to perfection.

Oberhitze (Top heat)

O|ber|hit|ze

Oberhitze (engl.: Top heat) is a classic oven mode in which heat is released from the upper part of the oven. In combination with bottom heat, it is the most popular and frequently used setting because it is perfect for almost any type of dish.

PerfectBake

Per|fect|bake

Bosch PerfectBake is an integrated baking sensor in the Series 8 oven that constantly measures the moisture content and adjusts the baking process accordingly.

PerfectClean

Per|fect|clean

PerfectClean is the refined surface of the Miele oven. It has a good non-stick effect and is therefore easy to clean.

Pyrolysis

Py|ro|ly|sis

Pyrolysis is the general term for the oven's self-cleaning function. The interior is heated to high temperatures of around 500 °Celsius, which burns out dirt and grease and then falls down in the form of ash. Depending on the manufacturer, pyrolysis is given brand-specific names.

Quick & Gentle

Quick and Gent|le

Quick & Gentle is a function on the Miele combi oven with integrated microwave. This allows the heat to be continuously combined with the microwave power. In short, this means shorter cooking times and more powerful oven power thanks to the microwave being switched on.

Smart Food ID

Smart Food ID

The term Miele Smart Food ID refers to the artificial intelligence that uses the oven camera to ensure excellent cooking results. The oven automatically recognises the dishes and selects a suitable programme. It also ends the cooking time at the best time.

Slide & Hide

Slide and hide

Slide & Hide is the practical oven door on the Neff oven, which can be moved into almost any position. The door handle swings with every movement when opening and closing and always remains in the same position in your hand (Slide). The second function is also very practical: the door can be completely retracted into the compartment under the oven (Hide).

Soft Close

Soft Close

Soft Close on the oven refers to the gentle opening and closing of the oven door. This function can be found in many well-known manufacturers.

Sous Vide

Sous Vide

Sous vide cooking is a popular (professional) cooking method that gently cooks food in a vacuum bag at low temperatures using steam. The food acquires a special aroma and retains many nutrients.

Taste Control

Taste Con|trol

Miele Taste Control prevents food from being overcooked. When the cooking process is finished, the oven door opens a crack and allows excess residual heat to escape. This reduces the temperature by around 100° within five minutes. The door then closes again automatically.

Teleskopauszug

Te|les|kop|aus|zug

The telescopic pull-out (also called full pull-out) is a special accessory for the oven. Practical rails with which the baking trays and racks can be easily pulled out. These pull-outs reduce the risk of burning your fingers and make it easier to turn the food during the baking process.

Total Steam

To|tal Steam

Total Steam is the steam support in the Bauknecht oven. You can choose between 100% steam or just 75, 50 or 25% steam. The intensity levels are called Active Steam.

Umluft

Um|luft

When the oven is in circulating air mode (in german "Umluft"), the heat is distributed evenly throughout the cooking chamber using a fan. It is heated using top and bottom heat.

Unterhitze (Bottom heat)

Un|ter|hit|ze

Bottom heat ("Unterhitze") is a classic oven operating mode in which heat is released from the lower part of the oven. In combination with top heat, it is the most popular and frequently used setting because it is perfect for almost any type of dish.

Vario Steam

Va|rio Steam

Neff VarioSteam is a steam-assisted oven that allows steam to be switched on at three intensity levels.