Convection Ovens: Why They Are All Everyone's Talking About

Posted on July 1st, 2022

If you’ve been in the market for a new oven, microwave, or range, you’ve probably heard everyone talking about convection ovens. You may even have an oven that has a convection setting on it but you’ve not sure what it’s even for. Here we break down what convection technology is, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of using it.

What Is It?

At first glance, a convection oven looks no different than any other gas or electric oven. However, if you look near the back of the oven cavity, you will notice a fan or two. Simply put, convection ovens have a fan and exhaust system that conventional ovens do not. The fan and exhaust system blow hot air around the oven cavity and vent it back out so that hot air constantly surrounds your food to help it cook more evenly and more quickly.

Why Should You Use It?

There are many advantages to a convection oven. For starters, it cooks your food faster. Instead of hot air just surrounding your food, the fans in the oven blow the hot air directly onto your food so that foods end up cooking over 20% faster than inside a conventional oven. This also means your foods will cook more evenly. While regular ovens, especially gas, can have hot and cold spots, the inside of a convection oven stays consistent so there are no temperature variances. Since foods are able to cook more quickly, convection ovens end up being more energy-efficient than regular ovens. Convection ovens are also great at browning your food since it helps to reduce moisture. The dry atmosphere allows you to brown the outside of your meats while the inside remains juicy. Many convection ovens also allow you to Air Fry your foods so your foods come out crispy and juicy without the added fat.

Can You Choose Between Gas Or Electric?

Some people won’t choose a convection oven on their range because they think they’re either limited to a gas or electric cooktop. You don’t have to sacrifice your favorite cooking fuel. Convection ovens are available on both gas ovens and electric ovens and can have either a gas cooktop or electric cooktop (hello, dual-fuel!).

Are There Any Disadvantages?

Convection ovens range in price depending on the brand, model, fuel, and available features. When they were first introduced to the market, they were considerably more expensive than their conventional counterparts. However, the technology has been on the market for some time now and is available through most appliance manufacturers so the price difference is not as sizeable. One disadvantage to having fans blow air around your food is that they may accidentally blow parchment paper or foil off your dish. Additionally, your baked good may not rise as properly with the convection setting. Since convection technology is able to distribute heat more efficiently, you may need to adjust your recipe to include less time to avoid burning your foods.

Convection ovens are available in microwave ovens, ranges, and wall ovens. Stop by your local Bray & Scarff to check out our selection of convection ovens or shop with us online here.