Bosch HBA572BB4 built-in oven, 71 L, pyrolytic/hydrolytic, touch control, A+

The 71 litre cavity takes a large roast, a whole bird or several trays of baking at once. The oven is built into kitchen units and its outer dimensions are 59.4 cm wide, 54.8 cm deep and 59.5 cm high. That is the familiar size that fits both under a worktop and in a tall housing unit at eye level.

The maximum temperature is 275 °C. High heat helps when food needs to brown quickly, such as pizza, crisp roast potatoes or meat that should get a good crust. At lower temperatures the oven handles cakes, bread and slow-cooked stews. An electric oven keeps the selected temperature steady throughout cooking.

The oven is operated through a touch-sensitive panel, and the display shows the selected settings. A smooth touch panel is easier to keep clean than rotary knobs, since grease and flour do not collect around them. A child lock helps prevent a small child from switching the oven on or changing the settings during cooking.

The manufacturer's data lists the cleaning type as pyrolytic/hydrolytic. During pyrolytic cleaning the oven heats up to a very high temperature and food residues burn to ash, which is later wiped away with a cloth. Hydrolytic cleaning uses water and heat to soften dirt so it comes off the walls more easily. The user manual describes the cleaning programme in detail.

The oven is rated energy class A+. Two accessories are included: a combination grid, which holds dishes or can be used for cooking directly on it, and a universal baking tray for bakes and vegetables. The oven weighs 35.9 kg, so a second pair of hands helps when fitting it into a tall unit.

HBA572BB4 suits a household that bakes and roasts often and wants a roomy 71 litre cavity with heat up to 275 °C. Touch controls and the display make everyday use easy, the child lock adds peace of mind in a family with children, and pyrolytic/hydrolytic cleaning cuts down on scrubbing by hand.