Please help! Convection OTR vs. oven

16 years ago

I am trying to decide where the convection would be used the most. I was looking at the GE convection (OTR), and started looking at the Advantium (OTR). Not really sure what the advantages of the Advantium would be????

It also got me wondering if the extra $$ for the convection would be better spent in the range (I am looking at a gas freestanding ranges, nothing high end)?

Most of my cooking is from scratch. I like simple fresh ingredients (ie. Martha Stewart Everyday Food type magazines). I do bake some desserts, oh, say, a few a month. Some homemade bread. Does that even matter? Most info says "covection cooks 25-30% faster". OK, so what exactly does it cook faster? Everything? Only select things?

I searched this forum for some info, which was helpful (although sometimes too much info is almost as bad as not enough, LOL!).

Please help! I am c-o-n-f-u-s-e-d!

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Comments (7)

emmie9999
16 years ago
Hi! I mostly lurk on here, but saw your post and thought I would mention my experiences. I have a brand new Advantium OTR. It has been great, but one thing I did not realize when I bought it is that you have to use the unit with the turntable rotating. That means you cannot place a 13 x 9 casserole in it.

When I started looking, I was attracted by my mother's GE OTR, which is a convection/microwave. It has come in very handy when she has Christmas dinner and needs an extra oven! The convection/micro has a shelf that fits in for you to place one large (or two small) casserole dishes and use the convection bake feature. You cannot do that with the Advantium OTR because it does not ahve the fittings for the shelf and is not made to be used in that way; things must fit on the turntable, and the turntable must turn.

I don't know if it makes a difference to you, but it is one thing I wish I had realized when I bought this model. I got dazzled by the speedcook feature, and lost sight of the fact the large casseroles would not fit. It's kind of a bummer. The Advantium does work very well, though, and I do like the speedcook feature. Also, I have not needed to use it for casseroles! I could have kicked myself for missing this, and thought I would pass it on in case it helps you make a decision.

Take care,
Emmie
jennymama
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks Emmie for your response. I am probably looking at the same GE profile convection OTR as your mom. Then I started looking at some of the threads on here about the Advantium and started to get confused.

Can I ask you if you would rather have the convection feature as an OTR or do you think it would be a more useful feature in a freestanding range?
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Jenny Â hopefully some others will chime in Â or you could ask Advantium specific questions which are bound to get answered. As for the turntable rack, I was referring to the Advantium OTR. So, it CAN be used in the 120 built-in but not the OTR? For sure it can be used in the 120 built-in. Convection is hot air circulating around and over the food to help cook it more evenly than a conventional oven. The hot air will definitely surround the food on two levels. IÂm sure you will love cooking with Convection. Convection alone is marginally faster than conventional Â but the results are superior. The Profile allows for "Fast Bake" which combines the MW (cooks food from within - all nice and juicy) with the Convection hot air (cooks and browns nicely on the outside) for an increase in time up to 25% faster. IÂve never used a speed oven (Halogen lights) but I would think the lights would have to hit the food for it to brown so I canÂt see how a double rack would work in the OTR Advantium ovens. I will also tell you that there is a steep learning curve for speed cooking (Advantium). Very few cookbooks deal with this so it is a lot of time and error figuring out what works. This is not the case with Convection. Obviously, IÂm leaning toward the Profile Â but IÂm just sharing my reasons why. I do most cooking from scratch, not much prepackaged/prepared items. I would think it would be useful for meatloafs, lasagna, chicken/meat, veggies, cookies, brownies, bread etc. Really, most anything you use your oven for, right? So, a second oven would be nice. You will love Convection for all of these purposes and yes Â a second oven that can also double as a warming drawer would be very nice. :-) Does the Advantium have enough *space* for cooking items like this (assuming you might want to use a 9 x 13 pan? The Advantiums are smaller. I donÂt think you can get a 9 x 13 in the OTR Advantium Â not 100% sure though. I think you can with the Velos Â that thing is a monster! Speedbake would be a nice feature, but how is the Advantium Speedbake different from the Profile? Speedbake uses MicroWaves along with Halogen lights. The Profile can "fast bake" using MW and Convection. You can also use Convection alone in the Profile. I will probably use this more than Fast Bake or MW. But I can do all three in the Profile. :-) My last question (ha!) is, do you think the Advantium browns better than the Profile? Remember Â Convection alone is just a better oven than Conventional Radiant heat. So better browning. Does Speed Bake using Halogen/MW lights brown better than Fast Bake using Convection/MW??? Good question! My guess would be "No". I hope others weigh inÂ I really see no advantage to the OTR Advantium (the built-in 120 is a different story). The OTR's do not have Convection. This seriously limits your options if a second oven is what you want.
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jeri
16 years ago
Jenny Â Why not have both? Have you priced freestanding ranges with and without convection? Do you want an electric or gas range? I thought Convection in freestanding ranges was very common these days Â i.e. not a huge up chargeÂ

If I had to choose between convection in my Range or my MW, I would choose the Range Â this would give you the most options (i.e. cooking a Turkey).

IMO - it just doesnÂt make sense to buy an OTR MW without Convection. You can get counter style MWÂs for very little money Â but OTR are more expensive anyway Â so get the Convection.

I have my eye on the GE Profile Convection OTR Microwave which I have seen for as low as $535 at Home Depot and the GE CafÃ© 30" Free Standing Gas Range - best price IÂve found is at ReedÂs Appliance for $2100.
jennymama
Original Author
16 years ago
Hi Jeri,

Thanks for the response. I am just now *really* researching appliances (and have to purchase my micro tonight), and I am seeing that most ranges are convection. So, I think I am going with the Profile over the Advantium.

I have looked at the GE Cafe, I need to do more research!
gardenwebber
16 years ago
I was going to post a separate thread about this, but since this is so similar, I will butt in my .02 and my own questions.

I, too, am trying to choose a microwave, and range. Now, Jeri - you said you were looking at a gas convection range. I have read that gas convection ranges are not "true" convection. However, a duel fuel would be "true" convection because it would have the necessary 3rd electric element to make it so. Duel fuel is gas on top, and electric on the bottom, which I think sounds good - I love gas on top. Have heard electric is better for baking.

Ok, now, I am looking for a microwave that is convection also so that I can have the option to have two ovens if ever needed. But, I am getting a separate hood for my range for venting, so I don't need the OTR style convection micro. I am finding it hard to find reviews about separate micros that are not OTR. What is the reasoning?

Also, about the ranges with convection, I have heard that there is a protrustion inside the range for the convection feature that gets in the way of baking. Can anyone validate this?

And... am I asking for too much to have a separate hood, micro/convection unit, AND a duel fuel convection range? Is this convection overkill? Should I eliminate a feature somewhere?

Thanks for letting me ride this thread!
jennymama
Original Author
16 years ago
gardenwebber - thanks for adding to this thread as that was another question I had.

Better to get a gas 'convection' or electric with true convection or dual-fuel.

Too many choices...........
jeri
16 years ago
Hi GargenWebber!

I have researched this stuff to deathÂ

What I have found is that when it comes to the oven, cooking with Gas vs. Electric boils down to a personal preference only. Though is seems pretty consistent that the broiler is better with Gas (I admit that I donÂt understand this based on my limited experience).

It is also true that Gas ranges are not "True European Convection" ovens. However, from all the reviews I have read (including many on this forum), it makes little difference. Even many of the Electric Convection ovens are not "true convection" Â so if this is really important to you, read the specs. Duel Fuel is very popular but it costs a bit more. I donÂt have an option for duel, so it is Gas for me which is fine (plus I can save a few bucks :-) The GE CafÃ© also has a duel fuel model. :-) ItÂs a beauty! If you are limited to 30" for a range, you should take a look. It also has a bottom oven that goes from 140 Â 450 so you can use it as a warming drawer tooÂ :-) It is not "true" Convection, but both the Gas and Duel Fuel CafÃ©Âs have "PreciseAir" which reverses the fan Â very coolÂ

Have you Googled "Convection Microwaves"? IÂve founds lots of good info. Sharp makes some good ones that are not OTR as does GE Â and there are probably others. If I had the room and money, I would look seriously at the Advantium 120 Built-in Â which is a "True European Convection" oven as well as speed bake and mw.

Also, about the ranges with convection, I have heard that there is a protrustion inside the range for the convection feature that gets in the way of baking. Can anyone validate this?

No personal experience with this. I doubt it is a problem. It is true that the fan and perhaps the third heating element is back there so take along your largest roasting pan or what ever is important to you fit wise and see if the fit. :-)

And... am I asking for too much to have a separate hood, micro/convection unit, AND a duel fuel convection range? Is this convection overkill? Should I eliminate a feature somewhere?

IMO Â not an overkill at all. That will give you what Â 2 Convection ovens? And, from all my reading, Convection is a wonderful thingÂ Once you cook with it you will probably never go back (if they even make units without this in the future) :-)

Please help! Convection OTR vs. oven

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emmie9999

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Please help! Convection OTR vs. oven

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emmie9999

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