How does a convection oven work

Bigger insides allow the air to circulate more freely. This is why full-size ovens cook more evenly than smaller countertop versions. We can help you choose with some in-depth analysis. Take a look at our stove and oven top picks for Be respectful, keep it civil and stay on topic. We delete comments that violate our policy , which we encourage you to read.

Discussion threads can be closed at any time at our discretion. Alina Bradford. July 31, a. Convection ovens vs. Read: The best toaster oven is the one you'll hate the least A convection oven has a fan inside the cooking area that circulates the hot air sort of like an air fryer. Here's how a radiant oven works vs. CNET Conventional ovens typically are 25 to 30 degrees cooler than a convection oven set to the same temperature.

What not to bake in a convection oven Not everything is compatible with a convection oven's fan. Buying a convection oven There are many types of convection ovens on the market. Surprising things your toaster oven can cook See all photos. Now playing: Watch this: How to clean your oven with baking soda and vinegar. Discuss: Everything you need to know about convection ovens. Since heat naturally rises, many cooks notice there are particular parts of their oven where heat congregates, especially near the top.

These hot spots, little purgatory zones prone to overcooking and burning food, are unavoidable. A common example is how certain cookie recipes insist on swapping the upper and lower pans halfway through baking. While this approach might be fine for a home baker with lots of time, no bakery worth their salted caramel could survive making a sheet at a time, and this is where the convection oven comes into play.

Convection technology has been around for more than half a century, getting its start during World War II when William L. Home cooks were eager for any opportunity to cut down on cooking time, and it has become an essential feature in many modern ovens.

Beyond evening out the internal temperature, the moving air also serves to increase the heat transfer rate to the food and wicks away moisture, similar to how the Santa Ana winds in Southern California dry up the hillsides before brushfire season. This same concept is the driving force behind air fryers, just with significantly lower wind speeds.

However, with great heating power comes…well, a lot of new rules and guidelines. Most recipes default to conventional oven temperature and timings, and require the home cook to make the needed adjustments. Additionally, plan to check your food for doneness earlier than called for, as this higher heat transfer rate tends to cook foods faster.

This might mean only a minute earlier for a cookie recipe although it could translate to 15 to 20 minutes earlier for things that require longer baking times, like roast chicken or a homemade pie. Using this standard temperature adjustment and checking for doneness earlier than expected will lead you to success in most cases, but, similar to spelling rules in the English language, there are exceptions to everything. Make sure big items are far enough away from the vent so air can freely move around them.

Consider using an oven-safe metal utensil to weigh down the edge of the parchment nearest the fan when using a sheet pan or, in a great kitchen hack we picked up from Edd Kimber , use binder clips to hold parchment slings in place.

Older convection ovens usually just contain fans in the back of the oven whereas newer convection ovens feature a heating coil that surrounds the fan, also known as third-element convection or European convection. Not sure what kind you have? Ovens come in all different dimensions and manufacturers and heating systems, so not every piece of advice will translate across all ovens. Some ovens have different convection modes like Convection Roast or Convection Bake, where the fan runs and higher or lower speeds, respectively.

Additionally, many ovens let you turn your convection on and off mid-bake, so you could try starting without and finishing with the fan on, and vice versa. Give them a try and see how it affects your cooking! It depends. In most ovens, convection is a feature that can be turned on or off when desired.

That will result in hot and cool spots i. Now that you know the ins and outs of convection oven cooking, you want to make sure your budget is protected if or when, rather it breaks down, right? Is your oven not heating? Ranger burner won't turn on? Oven door won't shut? We have the solutions to these common oven problems and more. Are cooktops range stoves? Induction, gas, or electric? Stoves come with choices. Learn the basics of each type and what to consider when choosing a stove.

Self-cleaning ovens can save you time from long hours of laboring over a dirty, grimy oven. Check out these tips to learn how to use this feature. Search the blog. Shop Plans. See more in:.

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