Getting a crispy finish on your prime rib, caramelizing your vegetables to perfection, achieving a buttery, flaky crust on your croissants-all this is possible when you have a convection oven. Both amateur and professional cooks swear by the unrivaled power of convection ovens, which offer several advantages compared to conventional ovens.
But, we get it: You're not so sure about the higher price tag that often comes with these fancy ovens. Although we understand the hesitation, the benefits you stand to gain by upgrading to a convection oven is well worth the cost.
What are those benefits, exactly? Below, we'll explain what a convection oven is before diving into seven reasons why you need on in your kitchen.
What Is a Convection Oven?So, what is a convection oven? Simply put, convection ovens are distinguished by a hardworking fan that circulates hot air around the oven, allowing food to cook evenly.
In a conventional oven, heat rises. Without a fan to circulate this heat, hot spots can occur in the oven, resulting in uneven cooking.
To give you an example, have you ever put two trays of cookies in the oven and managed to burn only the top tray? If so, then you know firsthand the frustration of cooking in a conventional oven.
While conventional ovens have their flaws, they aren't necessarily bad. Most recipes are written for them, which makes cooking and baking in them fairly simple. That being said, the list of reasons to upgrade to a convection oven far outweighs the benefits of conventional ovens.
1. Speeds Up Cooking Time - Convection ovens can shave off precious minutes from your total bake time. You can expect to cook items about 25-30 percent faster than a conventional oven. If you do a lot of hosting and entertaining, this additional time can make all the difference in getting delicious meals on the table quickly.
2. Cooks Multiple Foods at Once - Per our burnt cookie tray example, convection ovens solve this problem by distributing heat evenly throughout the oven. This allows you to cook several batches of cookies or pastries without needing to pull out the top tray sooner.
7 Reasons to Switch to a Convection Oven
3. Better Browning - Nothing beats the taste of perfectly browned meat. Thanks to a chemical reaction known as the Maillard Reaction, browned meat is crispier, juicier, and more flavorful. Convection ovens create a dry environment that is essential to browning meats and baked goods faster.
4. No Rotating Foods - Due to the uneven heating process in conventional ovens, you've probably had to rotate pans at the halfway mark to ensure everything is cooked evenly. With a convection oven, you don't need to worry about rotating pans. The convection technology ensures that heat is distributed evenly for the entire cooking duration.
5. Faster Dehydration - Don't want to invest in a food dehydrator? While regular ovens can also dehydrate food, convection ovens can significantly speed up the dehydration process while destroying bacteria and yeast that feed on moisture in food.
6. Energy Efficient - If you've been slowly making the switch to ENERGY STAR appliances, you'll be pleased to know that convection ovens are naturally energy-efficient. This is because they cook items faster and more efficiently than conventional ovens. Still, it doesn't hurt to further maximize your energy savings by looking for a convection oven range with an ENERGY STAR rating.
7. Available in Electric or Gas - Have strong feelings about cooking with a gas range? Prefer an electric range? Convection ovens are available in both gas and electric, so you can easily use convection without giving up your preferred type of stove.
As you can see, there are plenty of valid reasons why you should consider upgrading to a convection oven. One thing you'll want to keep in mind with this style of oven is that there is a slight learning curve in the beginning. With a few helpful baking tips and a little practice, you'll soon be serving up culinary gems like the best of them.
Bottom LineIf you're a passionate cook or avid baker, you deserve a convection oven that doesn't limit you in the kitchen. While a quality convection oven may be more expensive than a conventional oven, pursuing your passion and making delicious food is well worth the cost.
With holiday cooking just around the corner, now is the perfect time to upgrade to a convection oven and whip up savory meals that will impress the entire family. Still struggling with the price tag? Check out Goedeker's interest-free financing options and get ready to bring home the convection oven you've always wanted.
