As you’ve now touched base with the top convection ovens on the market, you’re almost ready to go about making your purchase. But before you do, we’d like you to stay informed on a few more things.
Which One is Better: A Convection Oven or a Regular Oven?
As we’ve already mentioned, a convection oven offers 25% faster cooking than its conventional counterparts. Plus, it aids in heating the food evenly throughout the oven. Basically, a convection oven features fans that circulate the hot air inside the oven, distributing the temperature evenly across your food. As a result, your cake, chicken, or toasts end up becoming crispier and juicier, all thanks to the well-maintained throw of heat inside the oven.
On the contrary, when it comes to a regular oven, the dish that’s closest to the heating element receives all the heat and cooks the fastest. As a result, you’re left with separate hot and cool spots at the end of your food reheating session.
What to Look for When Shopping for the Best Convection Oven
Before finalizing your purchase, remember to look out for these things in a convection oven:
Size
If you’ve got a large family, you’ll need a relatively larger convection oven. While a smaller one can do the job just fine as well, it’ll make you slow and you’ll have to take rounds of baking, air frying, or toasting slices. For instance, an oven with ample space will let you toast up to 7 pieces of bread at a time, easily feeding a family of four.
Design
Your oven has to look aesthetically appealing because— let’s be honest— in addition to its utility, it’ll also be an instant attention seeker in your kitchen. Moreover, the design is also important for things like exterior heat conduction and door handle, etc. The right design will save you from accidental burns and will have a cool-enough exterior.
Rack Positions
The largest convection ovens come with three rack positions. Ideally, the uppermost rack should be used for broiling, the middle one for toasting bread and baking, and the bottom one for roasts/pizzas. Your oven may also come with a rotisserie chicken rod, allowing you to roast your chicken in the oven – the trays/racks have to be removable in this case.
Included Accessories
In addition to a rotisserie chicken kit, most convection ovens come with 3-5 accessories. These may include a baking/broiling pan, pizza pan, crumb tray, oil tray, etc. Ideally, you need a convection oven that’s versatile and brings forth all these accessories and options. However, most of them should be removable and non-stick so the cleaning process doesn’t stress you out!
Warranty
Before you pin your decision, check for the oven’s warranty. More often than not, your oven will have a 1-2 years manufacturer’s warranty, particularly useful in case you require any repairs or if your product gets damaged during shipping.
Are Convection Ovens Safe to Use?
If your convection oven comes with a rulebook or safety guidelines, make sure you follow them to ensure maximum safety. Moreover, here are a couple of tips you should always follow:
-Always try to remove the crumb/oil tray and try to clean it periodically to avoid flare-ups and buildup
-When you’re not using your oven, keep it unplugged to save the digital controls from getting damaged through any electrical surges
-Try to use oven mitts while your appliance is on – even if all you’re going to do is just open the oven
-When your convection oven is in use, always keep an eye on it. Try to not leave it on for more than 10 minutes if you won’t be around
-Do not rest any objects or pieces of cloth on the top of your oven
-Once your oven arrives, carefully unpack it and remove any unwanted cards, papers, or other packing materials from the oven
Price Range of Convection Ovens
The high-end convection ovens that deliver an excellent value can cost anywhere between $250 and $400. While the amount may still go up for some brands and models, you can easily get a great oven within that budget. However, if you’re a little low on the money, you will still be able to get a convection oven within the $80 - $200 range.
More often than not, a high-priced oven will have better features as well. But, instead of building the basis of your purchase on the price, always try to finalize your purchase after going through a few customer reviews – and this approach is true for all the products out there.
Best Convection Oven FAQs
Q: When should you use a convection oven?
A: When you’re baking pies and pastries, a convection oven helps in melting the fat faster – this leads to creating steam and hence more lift in your pie dough, pastries, and croissants. Also, a convection oven does wonders when you’re roasting meat. The hot air is circulated well, yielding a meal that’s juicier and healthier.
Q: Can I use aluminum foil in a convection oven?
A: Yes, aluminum foil can be used in a convection oven. And more often than not, it’ll help you come up with better results in terms of cooking, granted that you’re taking extra care and preventive measures while utilizing the foil.
Q: What are the cons of using a convection oven?
A: If the cooking time is not properly adjusted, the food is susceptible to burning – this is perhaps the most significant disadvantage of using a convection oven. Also, sometimes the fans end up circulating the air around the parchment paper or foil, interfering with the evenly heating of your food.
Q: Does a convection oven make food juicier and crispy?
A: Since the heat spreads around evenly in such an oven, all the nutrients in your food receive just the right amount of heat. Plus, the results become even better if you’re doing it at lower temperatures – allowing you to cook your meals with a consistent and fuller heat source. This leads to the generation of a drier environment inside the oven, helping in the production of crispier, juicier, and caramelized meals.