About Convection Ovens

12 years ago

I am a long lurker here on the Cooking Forum, enjoy everyone posts so much and have learned a wealth of cooking knowledge over time. Thank you all.

My husband is a gadget guy and is now thinking I might need a Convection Oven, a countertop model. I have never ever considered one, I know nothing about them, not real sure I need one or even want one. At the same time I am now curious, especially since DH has become interested. I told him I would ask the CF bunch what they know and their opinions, pros and cons on Convections Ovens. We are listening, Gee I cannot believe I am posting. Thank You all in advance for you comments.

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Comments (7)

grainlady_ks
12 years ago
There are many styles, so do you mean one of the round ones made famous in infomercials (glass or plastic dome), or one that is more like a toaster oven, or a combination of convection/microwave oven style toaster oven? I've had all of those, which led me to purchase a Sharp Convection/Microwave Oven that is installed over my stove (with an exhaust fan on it), and I absolutely consider it a workhorse in my kitchen. With only two of us to cook for, I can do most of my baking in the smaller oven (when I don't use one of my solar ovens).

The convection feature allows me to make baked goods in 25% to 50% less time, and at a reduced temperature (usually 25-degrees less. With both racks in my Sharp, I can bake two pans of cookies on round piazza pans in 5-8-minutes, depending on the kind of cookies I make.

I bake two full loaves of bread in 25-minutes and without any preheating for a substantial savings of energy over using my regular oven.

There is a bit of a learning curve for using a convection oven, so be sure to read the manufacturer's user manual. I'm the gadget person in our family.... (there's really no cure for the condition ;-). And if there is something that will save energy - I probably have one. If you like the convection oven, then I'd suggest an induction cooking top (hot-plate) to go along with it. I rarely use my stove these days.

-Grainlady
User
12 years ago
Years ago I had a Microwave Convection oven, made by Quasar. It was great unless you wanted to microwave and the oven was still hot from using the oven/convection setting. Not a great idea to put something plastic in an oven that had recently been heated to 500ÃÂ°F.

So if you you already have a microwave but are looking for an additional oven that you can bake, roast or broil in, using regular or convection settings than I can suggest the Waring Pro Convection oven. I love mine. I also love the fact that it heats up to 500 degrees. Not all small countertop/convection ovens will do that.

Big enough to roast whole chickens or small turkeys. Fits decent size casserole dishes, etc..

It is as simple to use as any other oven.

Ann
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Convection ovens are great for cookies! Convection ovens can cook more quickly and evenly and are really great for browning. Having a conventional bake option is desirable because convection is not as good for some tasks. Deeper cakes and quick-breads may set on the outside before fully rising, yielding a denser less desirable product. Not sure why, but I've particularly had problems with pound cakes in convection ovens. Custards and cheesecakes can dry out or crack more easily. I like to use a combination of the two modes larger cuts of meats like roasts or turkeys. Convection 400 - 425 degrees to get quick even browning and then conventional at 325 - 350 to cook the meat gently while maintaining maximum juiciness. I believe GE Monogram and Profile both come with convection options, but you might want to check the other posts on this forum about GE selling their appliance division. Best wishes, happy cooking!
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chickadeead - glad you posted about it! that's good to know. I do like the outside looks of the GE better. It's good to know someone else is using one of those small ovens as their regular one. it makes me feel much better about my decision. I so hate the idea of giving up any cabinet space for a regular oven if i can do without one. I think I've only used my little oven once in the last month (it's inside is about the size of the ge). plus the thought of heating up a big one for my small meatloaf (1/2 lb grnd meat) or 2 chicken breasts. Good to know it is also fairly easy to clean. easy to use and clean are my main goals in this! i saw a 13" and a 15" (I think 15) pizza pan at the local grocery - both on sale. good prices! almost bought one but then figured if I ended up with the ge neither would fit in it and I'd have to give it to my sister. so decided to wait. are the pizza pans with holes in them the ones to buy? both of these had holes on the bottom. is it ok to bake cookies on one with holes on the bottom?
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Everything I've read about convection ovens suggests adjusting either the temperature or cooking time. Lower the temperature by 25 degrees and bake the regular amount of time -OR- keep the temperature the same, but start checking your food about 3/4 through the regular cooking time. I have a convection oven and it automatically reduces the temperature by 25 degrees, so that might be an easier way to go. Either way, I'd check the quiche at least 15 minutes before it's supposed to be cooked, just to avoid overcooking.
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Susanjf, That looks like a great site. One of the first things I noticed is a recipe for Banana Bread. I was planning to make that today anyway because my bananas need to be used. I probably would not even have thought about the CO. Phyllis, looks like we may be learning some new tricks here. Two things I've wondered about: 1. do you wrap the potatoes to bake, and 2. when it says 12 inch pizza, does than mean home made or can you do a frozen pizza? I tried a frozen biscuit and it browned on the outside and wasn't cooked on the inside.:( I'll be a-learning more! Thanks, Sue
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dcarch7 d c f l a s h 7 @ y a h o o . c o m
12 years ago
What Ann_t and Grainlady said.

Foundamentally the convection principle is great for baking and roasting.

However, like any other devices, there are good ones and there are bad ones. You still have to do the research.

I just want to mention one more thing. A convection oven can work very well as a dehydrator.

dcarch
foodonastump
12 years ago
If the toaster oven style is what you're looking for, I'll post a preemptive "not recommended." I bought it based on a lot of recommendations, but I just don't get the hype. A "medium" toast setting is preprogrammed for 4:40, which seems more like "all morning" compared to a regular toaster, and believe me that toast will barely show any color. Bagel settings similar but worse. Baking performance isn't bad, but you'll sure hear the clunky fan. Slide an 8x8 casserole on the rack and it's bound to buckle and fall. Until reading about the Waring, I figured I couldn't ask for more than 450 deg, but now I might just contemplate an exchange.
foodonastump
12 years ago
LOL I just realized I forgot the most important part! I'm talking about the Breville, which Wms Sonoma, BB&B and others are selling.
deeebert
12 years ago
i have looked at that several times at WS and also looked at others. If I were buying one that is the one I would buy, it seems to be far better size and quality than the random ones I see at Kohls(around the holidays) and Costco occasionally. I thought as an extra oven it would be helpful at the Holidays, I think it holds about a 9x11 casserole or a reasonable size chicken.Since I now have two 30 inch convection enabled double ovens my need went away. Convection is a good way to cook any things, good luck!
ntt_hou
12 years ago
My 11-year-old toaster oven died. I purchased a convection toaster oven, Hamilton Beach 31199R, about a month ago from Amazon. I chose this model because of its good reviews and the timer is up to 2 hours instead of the usual 1 hr.. The price from Amazon is also very reasonable and affordable to me. I'm really enjoying it and the fan is quiet.

Be awared that convection oven generates more heat than the normal toaster oven.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hamilton Beach 31199R at Amazon

About Convection Ovens

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grainlady_ks

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