If you are someone who likes to bake to relax, then having a good oven is crucial. There are many different types of ovens out there built by tons of different brands, but today, we’re going to be looking at some of the best Rofco ovens on the market.
Rofco is a Belgian company that specializes in stone hearth ovens that are compact and electric powered. We will be looking at several models in-depth to help you choose the right oven for you and your baking needs. So if you’re on the market for a new stone hearth oven, keep reading.
ROFCO Oven Reviews
ROFCO B40 Electric Stone Oven
Last update on 2024-11-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The first ROFCO oven we will be taking a look at is the three-shelf B40 electric stone oven. This model adds more height and width to each shelf than the other models available through this Belgium-based company. The B40 is designed with the same features as these other options, including smokeless operation, built-in steam vents, and rapid heat transfer, but it does set itself apart in other ways.
For such a large-capacity stone oven, the B40 is crafted with a compact design that gives it a small footprint, making it easy to insert into almost any kitchen. The unit itself weighs 123 pounds and, as we said before, is fitted with three stone shelves surrounded by a stainless steel lining.
When it comes to performance, the unit is meant to be operated between 122˚F and 520˚F. This gives it a wide versatility when it comes to baking. Coupled with the built-in steam vents and efficient Rockwool insulation, it helps maintain heat well. When it comes to the capacity of how much dough you can use within the interior of this oven, it also is quite significant, making it a great choice for small bakeries or operations run out of homes.
Here are some of the specifications:
- High mass stone shelves
- Smokeless operation
- Rapid heat transfer
- Steam vent
- Efficient rock wool insulation
- Dough capacity: 26.4 pounds
- Max temperature: 572˚F
- Number of shelves: 3
- Dimensions(baking surface): 18.9” x 18.9”
- Dimensions(overall): 21.7” x 23.6” x 38.6”
- Weight: 123 pounds
- Accessories included: 3 glass mat baking trays, 3 blued steel baking sheets, and owner’s manual
Of the models that we’re looking at, the B40 is perhaps the best option for those that do some serious baking. This is why we love it so much; it is constructed to be simple to use yet small enough for limited space and big enough to bake up quite a bit of bread or other pastries.
When it comes to baking, one of the biggest features you have to be cautious of is the variance in heat within the unit itself, and with the B40, the variance is minimal (approximately 5 degrees). This will allow for consistent baking and better results.
When it comes to features built into the unit, there is a lot to like about this oven as well. The rotary dial that is crafted into the unit could have been troublesome as often rotary dials are hard to dial into specific temperatures. This is crucial in baking, and this oven does not have that concern; in fact, the rotary dial is super accurate when it comes to heat. The garden sprayer is also well designed and performs amazingly.
Though there is so much that we really enjoy about this stone oven, there is still one that we think could be improved on to make this oven’s performance even better. Though each of these issues is not universal, there still are some things that we think you should be aware of before you make your final decision.
For example, there have been some reports that the door gasket may not be as durable as it could be. This could affect the heating retention within the oven. Also, the door handle is metal and does retain heat very well, which could be a safety concern if the baker is not alert.
Pros
- B40 is constructed in a simple to use design
- The variance of heat between the decks is minimal
- Rotary dial used for setting the heat is super accurate
- The garden sprayer built into the unit works very well
Cons
- Some have found that the door gasket can be a little flimsy
- The door handle retains heat well, which makes the door hot to touch
ROFCO B5 Stone Oven
- High-mass stone shelf
- Smokeless operation
- Rapid heat transfer
- Steam vent
- High efficiency insulation
Last update on 2024-11-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
ROFCO has several different oven options, but if you are looking for one that is compact and easily placed on a countertop, then this model is a great choice. When choosing this oven, you get a single-shelved compact model that comes with many of the same features and benefits as the other models from this company. This, of course, includes the steam vents as well as the rock wool insulation, among many others.
Even though this oven is smaller, it still is perfect for bread baking and many other cooking functions. The unit is compact and takes up very little space in any area, and though shorter than the other two models we’re looking at still gives you a good internal capacity for your baking needs.
When looking at the performance of this oven, you’ll find that you are able to bake up to 4.4 pounds of dough, and it has the same temperature range as the other two models we are looking at. The only difference is the footprint and the amount of space in the internal compartment.
Here are some of the specification:
- Thick Chamotte stone shelves
- Smokeless design
- Built-in cabinet steam vents
- Stainless steel
- High-quality rock wool insulation
- Dough capacity: 4.4 pounds
- One shelf
- Max temperature: 572˚F
- Dimensions (baking surface): 11.8” x 18.9”
- Dimensions (overall): 14.6” x 23.6” x 17.3”
- Weight: 49 pounds
- Accessories included: baking tray, baking sheet, and manual
Now that we have looked at the specifications of this oven, let’s talk about why we chose it for this list. For us, one of the biggest things is the lightweight, compact design. If you are not baking for a living or a large family, investing in one of the other models would be a waste of space.
The size of this oven is perfect for small spaces as well as small families and also makes it easy to move if necessary. When it comes to the operation of this unit, one of the things we also like is the simple control panel that makes it easy to use even for the most inexperienced baker.
Now, like the other models, this unit does come with built-in steam vents, but the construction of these vents, like in the other models, gives this oven more control when it comes to the steaming process that many baked goods need to go through (otherwise known as proofing). But all of that would be nothing if when you first opened the box, you couldn’t get it up and running, and so another factor that we really appreciate is the easy-to-follow instructions and well-written manual.
That being said, this compact oven is far from perfect. Though the manual and the controls are user-friendly, the thermostat does seem to be inaccurate upon initial use. On top of this, the thermostat is not adjustable, and so that is concerning.
However, many users have stated that once you have used the oven several times, the thermostat does become more accurate. Along with this, though, we love the size. As we have said, if you are looking for an oven that can handle large quantities of baking, this is not the model for you.
Pros
- The addition of venting gives this oven a leg up over other ovens
- Manual and diagrams that come with oven make the setup user-friendly
- Lightweight and compact design makes it easy to set up and takedown
- Simple control panels for optimized ease of usability
Cons
- The unit’s thermostat may not be inaccurate and it is not adjustable
- Oven only comes with one shelf, so not suitable for those looking for quantity
ROFCO B20 Stone Oven
- High-mass stone shelves
- Smokeless operation
- Rapid heat transfer
- Steam vent
- High efficiency insulation
Last update on 2024-11-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The last oven that we will be looking at is the B20 which basically is a shorter version of the B40. This unit is also designed with three shelves, with the spacing between each being shallower than the larger B40. As we have said with the previous models, this oven fits all of the standard features that come with an oven from this company.
Crafted with high-quality stone shelves and systems that do not produce smoke, the oven is easily one of the best investments any serious baker could make. Of course, the built-in steam vents, the high-quality insulation, and the rapid heat transfer all play a role in making this oven stand out against its competitors. Though smaller in height than the B40, the unit still comes in at a weight of 123 pounds which means when it is placed, that is its home.
Of course, its performance is going to be as high quality as the other options. The only difference besides the size is that this unit can only hold 13.2 pounds of dough on its three-shelf setup. However, the temperature range is the same as the other models and it comes with the same basic accessories, which are the baking tray, a baking sheet, and the owner’s manual.
Here are some of the specification:
- High-quality stone shelves
- Operates without smoke
- Rapid heat transfer
- Built-in adjustable steam vents
- High-quality, efficient insulation
- Dough capacity: 13.2 pounds
- Three shelves
- Max temperature: 572˚F
- Dimensions(baking surface): 11.8” x 18.9”
- Dimensions(overall): 14.6” x 23.6″ x 32.7”
- Weight: 123 pounds
- Accessories included: baking tray, baking sheet, and manual
The B20 has a lot of great qualities, which is why it has been selected by us as one of the best stone ovens out there today. The unit is designed with a viewing window and interior light that makes it easy to monitor the baking progress of your dishes or pastry. This is nice as often there are times where you have to rotate or move around items in order for a nice brown to occur.
Of all of this, though, there are two things that we really love about this unit. The first is the patented rock wool insulation that is used in the design. By using this insulation, ROFCO has created an oven that retains heat more efficiently, which is great when it comes to baking.
But just like with anything, there are a few features that we think could stand to be looked at in order to improve the performance of this oven. The first is that, though it is easy to set up and the controls are super easy to use, if you are not used to this type of oven, you will have a little bit of a learning curve. Though we’re not sure what they could do to fix this, we are confident that there is something that could be done to make this unit a little more user-friendly.
Also, the temperature inside doesn’t always seem to be consistent, as often things in the front of the oven brown slower than those in the back. This will mean that during the process of baking, you may have to rotate in order to get everything evenly browned.
Pros
- Designed with a viewing window interior light that makes keeping an eye on the baking easier
- Crafted to be energy efficient and run off of 220 volts for enhanced usability
- The insulation used in design helps retain heat more efficiently
- Unit heats up quickly, which will save the baker time and money on energy bills
Cons
- The oven will take some getting used to when it comes to temperatures and use
- Some have found that loaves in the front of the oven brown slower than in other parts of the oven, so they will require rotation during use
Final Thoughts
The three Rofco ovens we looked at above are just a few examples of the fine craftsmanship delivered by this company. Depending on your needs, the size of the kitchen you’re working with, and your budget, we crafted this list to help you in your decision-making process. We hope it helped!