At a Glance:
Convection Oven vs. Conventional Oven
Convection vs. Conventional Ovens Pros and Cons
If the time has come for you to purchase an oven, then you have a decision to make: What kind of oven should you purchase? While conventional ovens have been around for decades, convection ovens have made their way from professional kitchens into household kitchens, providing home cooks with more performance than ever. However, the upgrade does cost more, so buyers often ask us what’s the difference between conventional and convection ovens, what are convection ovens pros and cons, and which are the best convection ovens currently on the market? Consider us your convection oven guide as you learn more about the world of convection ovens and all they have to offer.
Convection Oven vs. Conventional Oven
Since its introduction into the public market, convection ovens have slowly become staples in homes. But that doesn’t mean they’re the same as regular ovens. Here are a few important details every convectional oven user should know before buying or using one of these appliances.
What Is a Convection Oven?
You’re not alone if you’re wondering “how does a convection oven work?” Unlike a traditional oven, a convection oven operates by using a fan to circulate hot air, leading to more even and efficient cooking. In contrast, a conventional oven relies on stationary heat elements.
Do Convection Ovens Cook Faster?
Convection ovens provide faster and more uniform cooking, often at slightly lower temperatures. This reduces cooking times by around 25% compared to a conventional oven.
Because of their superior performance, the convection oven price range is higher than conventional ovens. However, their energy efficiency can lead to cost savings over time, which is something to consider. On the other hand, while standard ovens are more budget-friendly, they might require longer cooking times and can sometimes result in unevenly cooked food. Therefore, the choice between the two depends on cooking preferences, budget, and how quickly you prefer your food to be cooked.
Convection vs. Conventional Ovens Pros and Cons
When given a choice, we’d take a convection oven over a standard oven any day. With that said, there are a still a few considerations to keep in mind. Here’s what our convection oven review has come up with.
Pros
✅ Even cooking
✅ Faster cooking times
✅ Great for crisp texture
✅ Efficient
✅ Reduced risk of flavors mixing
Cons
✖ There’s a learning curve
✖ Convection baking can dry out food if used wrong
✖ Expensive
✖ Noisy
✖ Not ideal for all bakes
Related: Convection Roast vs. Convection Bake: What’s The Difference?
Convection Oven Cooking Tips
If you are trying to get used to using a convection oven, here are some tips to consider for the best results.
✔ Convection cooking works well for foods that benefit from even browning, like roasted vegetables and meats. Reduce the temperature by about 25°F from the original recipe and be sure to monitor your food closely to prevent overcooking, as convection cooks faster than a conventional oven you might be used to.
✔ Use shallow, flat pans to allow proper air circulation.
✔ For baked goods, you might need to decrease cooking time by 25%, as well as lower the temperature slightly, and be sure to cover delicate dishes with foil if they're browning too quickly.
✔ And remember, experimentation might be needed to perfect your recipes in a convection oven, so you can always keep notes on adjustments you made to use in the future.
Related: What Is a Convection Microwave, and Are They Worth It?
Top Convection Oven Picks
Looking for the best brand for convection oven? These models just might have what you’re looking for. We’ve taken top-rated and top-selling convection ovens and reviewed them below to give you an idea of what you might be missing in your kitchen.
Bosch® 500 Series 30" Stainless Steel Electric Built In Single Oven
Shop This Bosch Convection Oven
This Bosch convection oven is stylish, reliable, and just what eager home cooks are looking for in their kitchen. It contains 11 specialized cooking modes so you can be sure your food will always turn out excellently. The Convection Pro feature adds a third heating element and fan for heat that is consistently generated throughout the oven cavity for even cooking results. Other features include stainless steel heavy-duty knobs, custom cooking modes, as well as EcoClean™ 2-Hour Self-Clean Cycle. This oven will bring numerous benefits to your kitchen and is well worth the purchase!
Featured Bosch HBL5451UC review: “This is so far the best oven I had. Fast heating, good result on baked goods, and pastries and also pizza!”
Café™ Professional Series 30" Stainless Steel Single Electric Wall Oven
Shop This Cafe Convection Oven
This Cafe convection oven is top-notch option with a unique look that sets it apart. From its multiple finish color options to its built-in Wi-Fi ability, this model will meet all your style and user needs. Powered by True Convection, this oven lets you bake, braise, and roast all your food cooked to perfection, and its precision cooking modes and smart cooking modes will help you keep track of the best ways to cook each unique dish. Its aesthetic will enhance your kitchen greatly, and you will be amazed at how much this electric convection oven elevates your cooking abilities.
Featured Café CTS90FP2NS1 review: “I love the looks of this oven, the french doors is such a nice feature for removing your items. The touch pad has lots of options and features. It makes baking fun and looks good too!”
Frigidaire® 27" Black Single Electric Wall Oven
Shop This Frigidaire Convection Oven
This Frigidaire convection oven has much to offer and leaves you wanting nothing. Fan Convection makes cooking your food evenly a breeze, and convenient features like Keep Warm and Cook Time Setting allow you to easily control your cooking experience, including adjusting oven temperature for convection. Plus, its digital touch control panel is responsive and user-friendly. This oven is a wonderful addition to any home!
Featured Frigidaire FCWS2727AB review: “I bought this as a replacement double oven and have to say I am super happy with the purchase. I cook...a lot. The temp is very consistent and cooks very well, especially the convection when I am baking. I would highly recommend this unit.”
Monogram Minimalist Collection 30" Stainless Steel Electric Built In Double Oven
Shop This Monogram Convection Oven
This GE Monogram convection oven is intuitive and user-friendly. Its LCD controls let you adjust the oven settings easily, and True European Convection with Direct Air cooks food evenly and perfectly. WiFi controls, precision cooking modes, and its beautiful aesthetic all make this oven an incredible option in the double convection oven category and will greatly benefit your kitchen and your home!
Featured Monogram ZTD90DSSNSS review: “I absolutely love my Monogram Oven. It's incredibly good looking and sleek, It preheats quickly, cooks food perfectly and even, and the ability to use it from your phone, it actually incredibly convenient. The air fryer mode allowed us clear up counter space with a bulky stand-alone one.”
KitchenAid® 30" Stainless Steel Electric Built In Double Oven
Shop This KitchenAid Convection Oven
This KitchenAid convection is every avid cook’s dream come true. Even-Heat™ True Convection provides even heating for all you cook, and Precision Touch Controls make it easy to navigate. EasyConvect™ Conversion System helps you determine what temperatures to cook with for the best results, and the Self Cleaning Cycle makes it easy to keep your oven pristinely clean. With more than 1,500 5-star reviews, this is one of the highest top-rated convection oven models on the market.
Featured KitchenAid KODE500ESS review: “Great ovens. The unit is very functional and easy to use, and it is even lovely to look at. Highly recommend. (We had its "grandfather" model for years and it was very reliable.)”
KitchenAid® 27" Stainless Steel Electric Built In Oven/Microwave Combo
Shop This KitchenAid Double Oven
KitchenAid brings yet another success to the appliance world with this convection oven that also contains a microwave. Besides its incredible True Convection feature that cooks your food evenly and crisply, it also includes features like Crispwave™ Microwave Technology and SatinGlide™ Roll-Out Extension Rack. Plus, the Temperature Probe helps you accurately measure your temperatures for an optimal cooking experience, so even if you aren’t sure what to cook in a convection oven, you can be sure to cook it at the best temperature possible.
Featured KitchenAid KOCE507ESS review: “The KitchenAid combo unit is awesome! Microwave is really cool, steam, crisp, convection, easy to use, drop down door is nice, oven is great too! Really a compliment to our kitchen!”
The benefits of a convection oven are endless. Convection ovens offer uniform cooking, faster cooking times, and energy efficiency, to name a few. They are ideal for those who value precise and efficient cooking, whether it's for a busy professional who needs quick meals or home chefs aiming for perfect browning and the best textures.
To explore a wide selection of convection ovens that cater to your cooking needs, look no further than Plaza Appliance Mart! As the premier destination for kitchen appliances in North Carolina, Plaza Appliance offers top-notch convection ovens, including Wolf convection ovens and GE Profile convection ovens, that combine cutting-edge technology with superior performance. Visit Plaza Appliance today to elevate your cooking experience and enjoy the benefits of convection ovens firsthand!
Why Trust Plaza Appliance Mart?
Plaza Appliance Mart is a local, family-owned, appliance store in North Carolina where you can get personalized, expert service that you won’t find at the big box stores. Plaza Appliance Mart is YOUR source for competitive prices with knowledgeable in-store professionals here to help you every step of the way, whether you need to replace an old appliance, or if you're remodeling and need an entire kitchen full of new brand-name products. And, our delivery and installation specialists will assure that your new appliances arrive safely and are installed properly.
If you were to ask the employees at Plaza Appliance Mart about their roles in the company, they'd say they're not just employees, they're family. So as you might imagine. a team of professionals like this who are already so tightly knit and bonded together make for a perfect partner with the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte. Apart from their community ties, Plaza Appliance is an accredited Better Business Bureau company with an A+ Rating.
Shop Convection Ovens at Plaza Appliance Mart
Stop by Plaza’s Charlotte, Huntersville, Matthews, or Pineville locations to see what a difference buying local with an experienced staff can make. Or shop ovens online! Our friendly experts are always happy to help you learn more about our convection oven selection — whether you call us at 704-568-7600, use our online chat feature, or visit us in person.
Learn More: 11 Top-Reviewed Convection Ovens