Haier HWO60SM2F3BH built-in oven, 70 L, hydrolytic cleaning, A+, black

A 70-litre cavity is roomy enough to cook a family dinner, a holiday roast or a large dish of lasagne in one go. There is also space for taller dishes and casseroles that would not fit under the top heating element of a smaller oven. Being electric, it only needs an electrical connection – no gas supply – and the connection is made by an electrician following the installation manual.

With hydrolytic cleaning you pour water into the bottom of the cavity and start the cleaning: the oven heats up moderately and the steam softens grease and food residue stuck to the walls, which you then wipe away with a cloth. Unlike pyrolysis, the oven is not heated to a very high temperature, so cleaning uses less energy. Heavily burnt-on stains may still need some extra wiping.

The oven is set through an electronic control panel, and the selected settings are shown on the display, so you do not have to judge the position of mechanical knobs by eye. The door has a viewing window that lets you follow the cooking without opening it. That matters especially for sponge cakes and soufflés, which can sink when the door is opened and the temperature drops.

According to the manufacturer the oven is rated energy class A+, meaning efficient energy use in normal cooking. This model has no steam function – it is a classic electric oven for roasting and baking. The black finish goes well with dark kitchen fronts and other black built-in appliances, such as a microwave or the panel of a dishwasher.

The oven measures 59.5 × 56.8 × 59.5 cm (width × depth × height) and weighs 30.16 kg. That width matches the common 60 cm oven unit, where the oven goes either under the worktop or into a tall housing. Lifting a heavy appliance into the niche is easier with two people, and before installation check that the niche depth and ventilation gap match the installation manual.

The Haier HWO60SM2F3BH suits a family that roasts and bakes in the oven regularly and wants a 70-litre cavity with simple, chemical-free cleaning. It is a good fit when renovating a kitchen and replacing an old 60 cm oven, and for anyone who prefers clear electronic controls and a black finish over extras such as steam.