Tag: conventional oven

Convection Oven vs Conventional Oven: What’s the Difference?

If you’re planning a kitchen renovation, you are likely to be considering upgrading your oven. When you start appliance shopping, you will quickly become aware of ovens in various styles and designs, but should you choose a convection oven or a conventional oven? Here we’ll explore the key differences between these two types of oven.

The Heat Source:

Both types of ovens look similar and both can be electric or gas powered. The key difference between conventional and convection ovens is in how that heat source is treated. In a conventional oven, the heat is stationary, rising up from the heating element located at the bottom of the oven. This differs from a convection oven, which has heat blown by fans, circulating the air all around the inside of the oven, creating consistent heat.

The Impact of Differing Heat Patterns:

Since the heat is stationary, conventional ovens can create pockets of warmer or cooler air. This can differ from the temperature on the indicator. This is why many recipes recommend turning your cookie sheet or roasting pan around half way through the cook time. If you don’t do this, you may find the food towards the back of the oven becomes burned, while the food at the front is underdone.

In a convection oven, the heat is more evenly distributed. They can cook food more evenly and more efficiently, cooking up to 25 percent faster compared to a conventional oven. So, if you’ve previously used a conventional oven, you will need to compensate for this when you switch to a convection oven. It is a good idea to check the food approximately ten minutes before it would typically be done.

Additionally, convection ovens do not need the preheat time that a conventional oven would.

The Potential Issues with Convection Ovens:

While it would seem that convection ovens have the edge, there are some potential issues. For example, if you’re baking in a convection oven, the fan moving the hot air around can cause the outside of a cake to cook far quicker than the middle. This can mean that you end up with a dried out or overbaked top of the cake, while the middle is still raw.

If you’re used to using a convection oven, it is possible to compensate for this, but if you’re new to this type of oven, the learning curve may include a couple of ruined cakes or dishes. You can also find oven models that have a “bake” or “thermal bake” setting. When you select this mode, the oven functions like a conventional oven, so you can get more consistent baking results. You can also find convection ovens which have a variable speed fan. You can select a low speed for dehydrating foods or baking cookies, but have a higher fan speed if you’re making a roast.

Other Considerations:

There are a few other considerations when choosing between a conventional and convection oven. The most obvious is price. Conventional ovens tend to be less costly compared to their convection counterparts. But, convection ovens tend to have more features, which may provide greater value for serious home cooks and bakers.

Another consideration is the energy efficiency of the appliance. If you’re concerned about the environmental impact of your home or keeping your energy bills more reasonable, you may prefer the efficiency of a convection oven.

If you’re considering a new oven, you can explore your options with this online collection or speak to one of our home appliance specialists for further help and guidance.

 

How To Use A Convection Oven

The modern kitchen is not complete without a powerful oven, and for fast and efficient cooking results you’ll definitely want to invest in a convection oven.

Convection ovens offer specialized settings that heat the appliance differently than conventional ovens, reducing cooking times and helping you achieve even oven-cooked results. But many homeowners are unsure of how to use their convection ovens. To help you take advantage of your appliance, we’ve gathered some helpful information on how to use a convection oven.

Convection Ovens vs. Conventional Ovens

Convection and conventional ovens will both effectively cook or bake your items, but the key difference is the way that they heat food. Conventional ovens cook food by surrounding it with hot air, while convection ovens circulate hot air for cooking.

A convection unit features a fan in the back of the oven, and when it’s convection setting is turned on, the appliance blows hot air throughout the inside of the unit. Compared to conventional oven cooking, this air circulation promotes fast and even heating. With conventional settings, hot air simply sits within the oven’s interior, which can potentially lead to slower cooking and uneven results.

When to Use Convection Settings

Most modern ovens offer convection cooking settings, but these settings are not ideal for every cooking scenario. That said, you’ll definitely want to use your appliance’s convection setting when:

  • Roasting Meat or Vegetables: Roasted dishes benefit from the drier cooking environment that convection settings provide. These conditions help create crispy skin on meat and yield caramelized exteriors for vegetables.
  • Baking pies and pastries: Convection cooking creates steam and melts fat fast, offering more “lift” in pastries and pie dough.
  • Toasting or dehydrating food: Convection cooking natural creates a dry atmosphere that removes moisture from food, making it an ideal option for toasting or dehydrating dishes.

It’s also worth noting that you should not use convection settings when cooking delicate dishes or desserts. This is because blowing of the convection fan can endanger the integrity of the dish, separating baking batters or creating lopsided results in other delicate foods.

Convection Oven Cooking Tips

Convection oven settings are significantly different from conventional settings, and you’ll need to keep a few things in mind when cooking with convection.

First, remember to lower the standard oven temperature for whatever you’re cooking by 25 degrees Fahrenheit. The convection settings promote stronger overall heat, and lowering the temperature will ensure whatever you’re making isn’t overcooked or burned. You should also be sure to check your food earlier than the recommended cooking time, as convection settings will cook food faster than normal.

Finally, you also need to ensure that air can properly flow through your oven for the convection process to work. You should try to use trays and pans with lower sides, as this will help air flow over your food and through your oven. You should also avoid covering oven shelves with foil.

Superior Convection Ovens For Today’s Kitchens

A convection oven is a great addition to any kitchen, helping you cook and bake a variety of items effectively and efficiently. With some knowledge on how the convection cooking process works, you’ll be able to take advantage of all the benefits your oven offers, bolstering the culinary possibilities of your home.

If you’re looking for a new oven, consider using this online collection of cooking appliances or contact a home appliance expert for additional assistance.