ILVE ovens review
Want to get a slice of Italy at home? ILVE lets you whip up traditional favourites like pizza and tiramisu with its high-end range of Italian-made ovens. There’s a variety of freestanding and built-in ovens, including pyrolytic and combination models which allow steam or microwave functionality. You’ll have to fork out at least $1,366 for the cheapest model, with prices reaching up to a whopping $34,199 for the largest models.
ILVE Oven Features
ILVE ovens are commercial-grade, handmade Italian designs and are claimed by the brand to be among the world’s finest cooking appliances. All ILVE ovens are made from 304 ‘surgical grade’ stainless steel, which is non-magnetic, rust proof and apparently more hygienic. Features found across the premium brand include:
- Quickstart pre-heat function which heats to 175⁰C in 6 minutes
- Dual capillary thermostats for accurate temperature adjustment up to 250⁰C
- ‘Turbowave’ cooking, which uses lower temperatures and creates less food shrinkage and splatter
- Stainless steel fan fat filter
- Integrated twin cavity cooling system
- Solid metal handle and knobs
- Heavily insulated oven cavities, to protect surrounding cabinetry from heat damage
- Triple glazed cool touch athermic door and handle. The three layers of 4mm thick glass with reflective metallic film make for an oven door that’s always cool to the touch. The door is also fully removable and the inner glass dismountable for easy cleaning
- Reversible catalytic self-cleaning panels on all internal surfaces, including the roof
What kind of ovens does ILVE make?
ILVE produces a wide range of built-in and freestanding ovens, encompassing electric and gas fuelled types across both designs. Specialised ovens on offer include pyrolytic ovens, double ovens, and the Nostalgie series of retro-style ovens. Sizes range from compact 60cm units up to massive 150cm wide ovens. Freestanding ovens include stovetops, in both gas and electric formats, with some stovetops including multiple types of burners and grills including teppanyaki grills.
Ovens aren’t usually too interesting – all of the focus is justifiably placed on what delicious creations you can create inside. ILVE brings character into its high-end ovens, for a special tool for your special recipes.
Let’s be direct from the outset – an ILVE oven is a purchase of extravagance. Handmade in Italy, catering to both home and professional cooks, ILVE has been a major name in high-end ovens for over 60 years. ILVE ovens come in a diverse range of sizes and designs across both built-in and freestanding types. So what makes these luxury appliances so special, and are they worth the investment?
ILVE Oven Features
ILVE ovens are commercial-grade, handmade Italian designs and are claimed by the brand to be among the world’s finest cooking appliances. All ILVE ovens are made from 304 ‘surgical grade’ stainless steel, which is non-magnetic, rust proof and apparently more hygienic. Features found across the entire ILVE range include:
- Quickstart pre-heat function which heats to 175⁰C in 6 minutes
- Dual capillary thermostats for accurate temperature adjustment up to 250⁰C
- ‘Turbowave’ cooking, which uses lower temperatures and creates less food shrinkage and splatter
- Stainless steel fan fat filter
- Integrated twin cavity cooling system
- Solid metal handle and knobs
- Heavily insulated oven cavities, to protect surrounding cabinetry from heat damage
- Triple glazed cool touch athermic door and handle. The three layers of 4mm thick glass with reflective metallic film make for an oven door that’s always cool to the touch. The door is also fully removable and the inner glass dismountable for easy cleaning
- Reversible catalytic self-cleaning panels on all internal surfaces, including the roof
What kind of ovens does ILVE make?
ILVE produces a wide range of built-in and freestanding ovens, including electric and gas fuelled models across both types of units. Specialised ovens include pyrolytic ovens, double ovens, and combination ovens with either steam or microwave functionality.
When it comes to integrated units, there are a variety of styles to choose from. This includes the Nostalgie, Milano, Grigio Lusso, Professional Plus and Pro-Line series. The Nostalgie series offers a modern take on country-style ovens with fittings available in brass, chrome or bronze while the Milano series is characterised by heritage styling with Italian flair. Both the Nostalgie and Milano series are available in an Emerald Green, Burgundy, Matte Black, Bright White, Antique White and Stainless Steel exterior finish.
Stepping up in style is the luxe Grigio Lusso collection, featuring sleek tones of grey and touted as ILVE’s most sophisticated line.
ILVE also offers built-in ovens with a stainless steel or black glass finish. ILVE’s built-in ovens are typically 45cm, 60cm, 75cm or 90cm wide but they also stock ovens at 100cm, 120cm and 150cm.
The brand’s range of freestanding ovens is slightly smaller, but has a wider variety of sizes. This includes ovens with a width measuring 60cm, 70cm, 80cm, 90cm, 100cm, 120cm or 150cm wide. Different types of units available include gas cooktop & electric ovens, gas cooktop & gas ovens and induction cooktop & electric ovens. Some stovetops contain multiple types of burners and grills, such as teppanyaki plates.
ILVE Built-In Ovens
The ILVE built-in oven range includes over a dozen different models, with many available in multiple sizes, colours and fittings finishes.
Electric Built-In Ovens
ILVE offers a large range of electric built-in ovens, typically measuring between 60cm and 90cm wide. Prices usually start from $1,494 and reach up to $6,324. Some models available include:
- ILVE 60cm Electric Built-in Oven 600SKMI: $1,272*
- ILVE 75cm Electric Built-in Oven 750SKMPI: $3,209*
- ILVE 90cm Built-in Oven 900SKMPI: $3,386*
- ILVE 76cm Pyrolytic Electric Built-in Oven 760SPYTCBV: $4,229*
- ILVE 45cm Compact Built-in Combi-Steam Oven ILCS45X: $4,263*
Many ILVE electric built-in ovens, including the cheapest models, come with several basic features you’d usually except from a high end unit. These include five cooking levels, cool touch BIO-safe triple glazed door, S-move soft & gentle closing door hinges and telescopic runners with 75% extraction.
ILVE electric ovens also generally provide 17 cooking modes, as well as CHEF-Assist which offers more than 35 preset recipes.
Pyrolytic Built-In Ovens
Pyrolytic ovens are designed to be especially handy for its self-cleaning function. When a pyrolytic cycle occurs, it raises the temperature of the panels to a very high temperature of at least 500°C in order to turn food residue, grime and grease into ash. This allows you to clean your oven much quicker since you can wipe everything down and won’t need to use as much elbow grease and chemicals.
Some integrated pyrolytic ovens currently available include:
- ILVE 60cm Pyrolytic Oven 600SPYKTI2: $1,716*
- ILVE 60cm Pyrolytic Oven 600SPYTCBV (Black Glass): $2,652*
- ILVE 76cm Pyrolytic Built-in Oven (Black Glass) 760SPYTCBV: $4,229*
- ILVE 76cm Pyrolytic Oven 760SPYTCGV: $4,230*
- ILVE 76cm Pyrolytic Oven 760SPYTCI (Stainless Steel): $5,287*
The larger 76cm ovens typically come with a 123L capacity and offer five cooking levels. These also come with 34 preset recipes as part of the CHEF-Assist mode, in addition to 17 multi-function modes. These are also available on the ILVE 60cm Pyrolytic Oven (600SPYTCBV). The larger models also let you save up to 100 of your most used recipes. Some other features include a Cool touch BIO-safe quadruple glazed glass door, accurate digital thermostat control, and twin fan heating to ensure heat is circulated consistently and evenly throughout the cavity.
The slightly smaller 60cm ovens a set of more basic functions, including true convection, convection bake, convection grill, dehydrate, bake roast and pyrolytic.
Combination Built-In Ovens
ILVE offers a few hybrid models, including combination microwave ovens and combination steam ovens. These generally share many of the same features as the brand’s other models, but have the added ability to also work as a microwave or steamer. Each appliance typically has a 35L oven capacity and three cooking levels.
Some models include:
- ILVE 60cm Combination Microwave Oven ILCM45GV: $2,527*
- ILVE 60cm Compact Combi-Microwave ILCM45X: $3,222*
- ILVE 60cm Compact Combination Steam Oven ILCS45BV: $3,358*
ILVE’s combination microwave ovens offer nine combined functions, three microwave cooking levels and tangential fan cooling. These come with a round grill and stainless steel tray with support grill. The combination steam range alternatively offers a temperature range of 40⁰C to 130⁰C, and allows forced-air cooking and combined steam & forced-air cooking. These models provide 11 combined functions and features, such as CHEF-Assist with 60 preset recipes, sensor touch control panel and a PANA-View full glass oven door.
Gas Built-In Ovens
ILVE currently only has one single built-in gas oven, the ILVE 60cm 600SVGI which retails for $2,070. It provides a 66L oven capacity with five cooking levels, and is compatible with both natural and LPG gas. There are four multi-functional cooking modes, including light, bottom gas flame, grill and fan grill.
Unlike the brand’s electric oven range, which typically have a touch-screen control panel, this gas unit stays traditional with manual knobs and digital timer. It’s a more affordable alternative to ILVE’s range of electric and pyrolytic ovens, but doesn’t come with the same automatic programs like CHEF-Assist or multi-function mode. Although it does similarly include a Cool touch BIO-Safe triple glazed door, ULTRA-Clean cavity and a removable oven door & inner door glass.
ILVE Freestanding Ovens
With the exception of induction cooktops, all cooktops in the range are fuelled by gas burners. These are apparently made from solid brass, rather than the standard aluminium, with the brass claimed to ensure better stability at high temperatures and be less susceptible to oxidisation (i.e. less prone to rusting). The ILVE freestanding ovens range is divided into several collections, including:
- Grigio Lusso
- HNF Series
- Majestic
- Nostalgie
- Panoramagic
- Pro-Line
- Pro-Line Special Edition
- Professional Plus
- V-Series
ILVE includes a 25 year warranty with all cooktops.
Single freestanding ovens
The Majestic Series is one of the premium brand’s latest ranges, and is similar to the Quadra Series. But this time, the ovens include extra features such as an electric rotisserie, precision thermostatic control, concealed grill element, programmable timer and turbo wave cooking cooking feature and digital food monitor. Sizes include 70cm, 90cm, 100cm, 120cm and 150cm.
One of the models is the ILVE Freestanding Cooker with Fish Burner. The A-class energy rated oven has a 65L capacity and provides 15 multi-function cooking modes. It includes a controlled steam exhaust with dry or humid (wet) cooking options, and a cooking probe that can be managed from the touch display. The unit additionally comes with four brass burners and a triple ring Dual control Infinity WOK burner.
Double freestanding ovens
There are a few double ovens from the Panoramagic, Nostalgie, Professional Plus and Pro-Line Series. These double models start from around $9,999 for a 90cm freestanding unit and reaches over $20,000* for a 120cm model, but individual pricing is dependent on the line.
For a cooker that can help you multi-task in the kitchen, the ILVE 120cm Quadra Series Dual Fuel Oven/Stove with Tepanyaki Plate (PW120FMPSS) can come in handy. But, again, it’ll cost you, with a pretty hefty retail price tag of $17,249*. This double oven contains a whopping 162L interior capacity, with 97L available in the main cavity and 65L in the smaller oven. On top, the cooker has seven, brass cooking surfaces, including a Twin Triple ring WOK burner and an improved flame configuration that claims to reduce CO2 emissions by 66%.
When it comes to oven features, there are 15 different functions to work with. The ovens use controlled steam exhaust offering dry or humid cooking conditions, and can reach up to 300°C. The unit is also described as a sealed oven which allows you to cook at lower temperatures and deal with less food spatter.
You may also be interested in:
How much do ILVE ovens cost?
As high-end ovens hand-made in Italy, ILVE ovens are luxury items with price tags to match – from uncontroversial $1,366 models up to quite intimidating figures such as $34,199. The ILVE website does not list any product prices, which is already a clear hint that as a premium product they’re going to be higher than your conventional household brand. An ILVE appliance is a long-term investment and, when you’re looking towards the higher end of the price range, a true statement piece.
However, if you’re an astute buyer then you can still find deals. Online sites such as Appliances Online often offer deals lower than the RRP, although few places carry the full ILVE range given the high cost. You may be best going through the ILVE product catalogue to decide what you want, then find stockists for the particular model or models of interest.
Read more: Electric vs gas oven running cost
Should I buy an ILVE oven?
If you have the extra cash to splurge, ILVE ovens come highly regarded. They can be a great choice for home chefs who really love to cook, particularly with features such as a teppanyaki plate and electronic roast probe. ILVE ovens are also a prestige piece for those who want their kitchens to make a statement. However, if you’re just after something that looks smooth but don’t care so much for the extra level of detail and quality, you may be able to find a match with other brands at a lower price point.
*Prices taken from Appliances Online and Winning Appliances, correct as of November 2022.
Meet our appliance experts
Megan Birot: Home & Lifestyle Editor
Megan is Canstar Blue’s Home & Lifestyle Editor, leading the team that focuses on consumer products and services, ranging from supermarkets and groceries to home and personal appliances and retail stores. She interprets Canstar Blue’s bespoke research on the thousands of brands that we compare, rate and review, to help shoppers make better purchasing decisions.
Samantha Howse: Consumer Research Specialist
Samantha Howse is Canstar Blue’s Consumer Research Specialist, coordinating the consumer research program behind our customer satisfaction awards across Canstar and Canstar Blue in Australia and New Zealand. Sam has earned a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from Griffith University and, with seven years in market research and 2 years in marketing, she is experienced in survey design, implementation and analysis, coupled with an understanding of marketing principles and best practice.