If you are looking for a new oven, have you considered getting a convection one? Convection ovens are great for people looking to cook more than just one dish at a time.
They use hot air to circulate the food, cooking it evenly throughout. They also don’t take up as much space as traditional ovens.
Convection ovens have been shown to retain moisture in the food better and make it crispier on the outside.
Here are 5 of the best convection oven reviews available today.
5 Best convection ovens reviewed
Whether you are a novice or an experienced chef, the following best countertop convection ovens will enable you to prepare a variety of delectable but nutritious dishes.
With its sophisticated heating element and stable temperature, a convection oven outperforms a traditional oven. Here are the best convection ovens on the market today.
Breville smart convection toaster oven
Due to its innovative Element IQ System and nine cooking options, the Breville Smart Convection Toaster Oven is one of the finest convection toaster ovens.
This convection toaster oven of the future has an appealing, simple design. The exterior is made of stainless steel and has elegant knobs and handles.
Also, the inside is covered with a nonstick substance for easy cleaning.
The inside is 18.5 x 15.7 x 11.1 inches and is large enough to hold six bread pieces, six muffin trays, and a 13-inch pizza.
You may use the preset functions on the right side to alter the temperature, time, and power.
On its extra-large LCD, you can view the current settings. Additionally, you may adjust the LCD lighting from orange to blue to suit your needs.
Pros
- Large capacity
- One-year warranty
- Readable LCD display
- Nine pre-programmed cooking modes
- 9 cooking modes with warm settings for various recipes
- Element IQ heating technology, making it warm and cool quickly
- With intelligent convection settings than lessens cooking time by 30%
- With will insulated exterior and sliding magnetic rack door for added safety
- Comes with necessary attachments: nonstick pizza pan, an enamel baking pan and broil rack.
Cons
- Heavy at 7.7 kg
- Expensive & Hefty
Wolf gourmet elite digital countertop convection toaster oven
Since the early 1930s, Wolf has invented dependable kitchen equipment to automate the cooking process in restaurants and households.
Wolf Gourmet Elite Digital Countertop Convection Toaster Oven, introduced in 2018, is a relatively new toaster oven featuring seven cooking settings.
Additionally, indoor lighting, perfect temperature control, and energy economy are included.
This all-in-one convection toaster oven is the finest tiny convection oven thanks to its accurate temperature probe that measures up to 550F degrees. It has a brushed stainless-steel exterior and brightly colored knobs.
The probe functionality is accessed by putting the probe jack into the oven wall and the probe’s other ends into the food.
The 1.1 cubic feet of the interior cooking area is sufficient to fit a 9 x 13-inch dish or 5 12 pounds of chicken. To assist in loading and unloading, the rack slides outside the oven.
The inside chamber of the Wolf Gourmet toaster oven is nonstick, making it easy to clean with a clean, damp towel. Additionally, the dishwasher-safe slide-out crumb tray is included.
Pros
- Interior illumination
- Two easy-glide racks
- Has 7 cooking modes
- Five heating elements
- Precise temperature control
- Five-year guaranteed warranty
- Allows temperature monitoring without opening the door
- With timer and “stay on’ function, automatically shutting it off
- Comes with an easy-to-read LCD display that shows the temperature and timing.
Cons
- It is somewhat heavy
- The interior volume is just 0.7 cubic feet.
Oster digital countertop convection oven extra large
This multi-purpose convection oven has a spacious and easy-to-clean interior big enough to accommodate a family-sized chicken.
It has digital settings for pizza, broiling, toasting, defrosting, and baking. Using digital controls, you may pick your favorite cooking method.
Additionally, you may alter the temperature and timing by using the up and down arrows.
The Oster convection oven’s temperature range is 200F to 450F degrees. The door is glass, allowing you to see the cooking process without opening it. You may easily open the door beyond 90 degrees without encountering any resistance.
This sleek convection oven is crafted from brushed stainless steel and glass to complement your contemporary kitchen’s interior design. It is around 24 x 21.5 x 16.7 inches, which makes it a larger device with a larger footprint on the countertop.
The inside cooking area is large enough to fit two 16-inch pizzas, a full chicken for a family of four, or 14 pieces of toast.
Pros
- Internal lightings
- Digital control panel
- With user-friendly digital interface
- Has timer for automatic shut down
- Two oven racks, including crumb tray
- Easy to clean because it does not have knobs or dials
- Timer can be set for 90 minutes and the oven will automatically shut down to save electricity.
Cons
- Slow toasting
- Overheating of the exterior
- Glass door is sensitive, may collapse with excessive force use
Toshiba countertop microwave oven with convection
This small convection oven is around 21.8 x 21.5 x 13 inches and has a big turntable measuring 13.6 inches. It has a 1.5-cubic-foot internal capacity to cook pizza, bread, muffins, beef, chicken, and turkey breasts.
With its stainless-steel finish and pre-programmed sensor menu, the Toshiba Countertop Microwave Oven with Convection is the ideal blend of design and high-tech functionality.
It is a multi-functional convection oven with integrated microwave functions.
It has sensor-based cooking, an auto menu with one-touch start buttons, and a warming function. The auto menu is located just above the keypad on the right side.
The three buttons let you choose between convection alone, microwave solely, or a combination of the two.
When convection mode is selected, you may use the internal grill rack. Among the other cooking choices are favorites: auto bake, warm hold, time defrost, and sensor cook.
The warm hold option may keep your dishes warm for up to 99 minutes before serving.
Pros
- LED cavity light
- Warm-hold feature
- Stainless steel finish
- One-touch popcorn button
- Easy to clean and rust resistant with its stainless-steel finish
- Has energy-saving Eco-mode for saving up to 50% of electricity
- Automatically adjust temperature with 13 auto options for smart sensor
- With numeric keypad which allows you to choose from 10 different power levels
Cons
- Bulky
COSORI toaster oven air fryer combo
The COSORI Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo has an air fryer function that allows for the preparation of delectable but nutritious meals by removing up to 85 percent of the fat in typical fried cuisine.
Bagel, bread, bake, ferment, roast, air fry, pizza, toast, dehydrate, broil, cookies, and rotisserie are among the 12 offered culinary presets.
This extra-sized air fryer toaster oven combo is big enough to accommodate six pieces of toast, a 13-inch pizza, or five pounds of chicken.
Additionally, you may regulate the temperature between 80F and 450F degrees. The exterior has a stainless steel finish and a double-layered glass door.
The oven door is glided open using a large handlebar on the top. Additionally, the right side has a digital display and additional control knobs.
COSORI air fryer oven combo has five heating components that distribute heat evenly for reliable cooking results.
Not only that but each of the three metal frying racks may be repositioned or removed. This allows for the storage of bigger food items or the cooking of several food items on all of the racks.
Pros
- LED screen
- Internal light
- Large cooking capacity
- 12-in-1 cooking settings
- User-friendly dial controls
- Large cooking capacity of 30L/32 quartz
- Comes with the necessary attachments: A crumb tray, a food tray, a wire rack, a fry basket, and rotisserie attachments
Cons
- Flimsy dials
- Not dishwasher safe
- Additional cooking time required for bagel and toast modes
What you need to know about convection ovens
One of the major benefits of cooking in a convection oven is the reduction of cooking time and, therefore, the reduction of your power cost.
A convection oven is an attractive addition to the countertop of any kitchen. If you’re looking to purchase a piece of multi-purpose kitchen equipment that can help you automate your everyday cooking, you should first know the features you should look for.
What is a convection oven?
A convection oven, similar to an air fryer, incorporates a fan to circulate the heated air.
A convection oven ensures uniform temperature distribution across the cooking surface because hot air does not sit on top of the food; rather, it permeates into it, evenly cooking it. It cooks quicker than a traditional oven. It is also more energy efficient than a regular oven.
How does it work?
A convection oven has an extra heating element and a fan making efficient air circulation and providing uniform cooking.
Because moving air is more effective in heating than static air, a convection oven cooks food 25% faster than a conventional oven.
Moreover, the top of the cake or pie’s top does not overcook. Additionally, the lowest racks get the same amount of heat as the top rack.
How is it used?
The answer is dependent on the sort of food being prepared. Not all food products are compatible with the internal fan.
For instance, delicate sweets such as custards or souffles are not permitted.
The internal airflow might cause the cake to rise unevenly, causing the cupcakes’ tops to tilt to one side. Some convection ovens have a feature that allows you to turn off the fan and create the ideal baking atmosphere.
You may use a convection oven by following these steps:
- Prepare your meal in a shallow dish that allows hot air to move easily around it.
- Arrange the inside racks with a two-inch space between them.
- To preheat the convection oven, choose a cooking setting or adjust the required temperature appropriately.
- It is advised that you set the timings 25% faster than you would with a standard oven.
The benefits of purchasing a convection oven
Convection further accelerates dehydration and toasting by evaporating moisture from the flowing air.
Certain kinds of food perform better in convection ovens than in traditional ones as vegetables and meat.
Anything that can be cooked covered benefits from the uniform, constant heat produced by convection.
There are many unique benefits of having a convection oven over a standard model. Here are some:
- Even cooking with its consistent temperature throughout the oven
- No need to rotate trays and pans.
- Energy saver: can cook faster at lower temperatures.
- Crisps and browns food by assisting sugars in drying and crystallization during the cooking process.
Factors to consider choosing the best convection oven
Convection ovens are available in a variety of sizes and with a variety of functions.
Some are plain and uncomplicated, while others are 12-in-1 versions with presets and attachments that enable you to cook in several ways.
Dimensions and capacity
As a general guideline, get the biggest convection oven that fits inside the given area.
Convection ovens use heat circulation for cooking food evenly. The more area available for the air to flow freely, the more evenly the food cooks.
Convection ovens come in various sizes, from large wall ovens with a 6-cubic-foot capacity to tiny countertop convection ovens with a.5-cubic-foot capacity.
Numerous countertop versions are sized in bread slices—that is, how many pieces of bread the oven can toast simultaneously.
These countertop ovens have a capacity of four to eighteen slices of bread. In general, wall ovens and full-size convection ovens have a capacity of 4 to 6 cubic feet.
True convection versus convection
A fan circulates air in all convection ovens. When comparing convection to true convection, genuine convection provides the most precise temperature control.
True convection ovens use a heating element next to the fan to help warm the air and maintain a more constant temperature. The names “third-element convection” and “European convection” refer to “true convection.”
Convection or true convection ovens are available for both countertop and wall-mounted ovens. Convection ovens are also available on gas ranges.
However, the oven must also be electrically powered to utilize it since gas cannot power convection.
Deciding between countertop and wall-mounted
Countertop design
- Portable
- Often less costly than wall-mounted ones
- Versatile can perform tasks like air frying, browning, roasting, rotisserie, and toasting.
Wall-mounted ovens
- More costly
- Capable of cooking larger dishes and meals.
- Double as traditional ovens, allowing chefs to prepare dishes such as bread and souffles that do not cook well with convection.
Heating features
Certain countertop ovens are equipped with one or more of these heating features.
Apart from the standard presets such as bake, bagel, pizza, and broil, the finest convection ovens may have any of the following features.
Air fry
By pumping strong heat across the chamber, an air fry oven fries your food, making it crispy and crunchy. Additionally, it makes your meal healthy by frying it without needing oil.
Rotisserie
It will rotate the meat consistently and equally cook all of its sides. Hence, a rotisserie option will roast your chicken properly, since
Steam
This oven type is a viable alternative to conventional ovens. A convection oven equipped with steam heating cooks your meat using steam rather than hot air.
This preserves the moisture and fluids included in your meal.
Proofing
It will assist in the easy rise of your dough. This is an excellent alternative for those who make their bread.
Warm
Similar to your microwave, this option keeps your dish warm (but not cooked).
Dehydrate
This method is used to dry meat, snacks, and other camping meals.
Fan and exhaust system
Convection is based on the use of a fan and an exhaust system. The fan circulates air and heat throughout the oven while the exhaust draws air and heat out.
The oven’s temperature is maintained by circulating hot air around the food, resulting in shorter cooking periods while crisping and browning the food.
True convection incorporates a heating element near the fan to help manage the temperature more effectively.
Display Options
The more presets and settings an oven offers, the greater the quality and complexity of its display. However, this also implies that its price is likely greater.
Display options for convection ovens vary from bright LED-lit buttons and backlit screens to mechanical knobs that lack a digital display.
Backlit screens are the simplest to view, followed by LED-lit displays and buttons. Touch displays, rather than manual dials or knobs, may modify settings, time, and temperature on high-tech countertop convection ovens.
Settings
Spending a bit more on a nicer oven if you intend to utilize most of its settings is worthwhile. Cooking styles are not the only additional parameters to consider.
Multiple convection ovens ease baking by providing preset settings for bagels, toast, pizza, or cookies.
These options may be convenient for some home chefs but unnecessary for others.
The finest convection oven for your purposes is one that simplifies and enhances the cooking that you’re already doing, not one that complicates a straightforward culinary practice.
Convection ovens provide a broad array of settings. A small countertop oven can roast, broil, bake, and toast.
Additionally, more recent versions have air frying, rotisserie, drying, fermenting, and warming modes.
Energy conservation
When shopping for a countertop toaster oven, look for one with a minimum of 1300 watts.
However, a higher-wattage oven cooks quicker and consumes less energy. All convection ovens conserve energy, which results in cheaper utility bills, although some save more energy than others.
Tip:
Confirm that your electrical outlet can handle your kitchen item’s power; otherwise, the wall socket and surrounding appliances may catch fire.
Added features
The kind of food you want to prepare in the oven should dictate which accessories you prioritize; a vegetarian chef is unlikely to lose sleep if his oven’s rotisserie cannot hold two birds.
The more settings a convection oven offers, the more accessories it is likely to have, such as a rotisserie fork, fry basket, one or two detachable wire racks, food trays, and cookbooks.
If you don’t consider accessories necessary when looking for an oven, you may purchase them afterward.
Inside lights are unnecessary; they make it simpler to watch your food while it bakes—and they illuminate the oven while you clean it.
Timers, automatic shutdown and internal lighting are helpful for oven features. Timers and automatic cutoff features are often used in conjunction: When the timer expires, the oven automatically shuts off.
These features may help you avoid overcooked or burnt food and an oven left on while you are away.
Price
The most important factor is to pick an oven with traits that appeal to you and avoid unnecessary elements. When purchasing any kind of household equipment, price is a big consideration.
While there are high-end convection ovens with exceptional attributes, you may also find affordable models with excellent performance.
Easy to use and maintain
Choose one that is simple to use. The greatest countertop convection ovens place a premium on making life easy for their consumers.
Digital controllers and LCD panels are often simpler to use. There are some with curved manual dials for improved grip.
Some models have detachable crumb trays to collect stray crumbs. Also, several others include nonstick interiors.
Frequently asked questions
How is a convection oven different from a conventional oven?
Rather than relying on heat and air movement, conventional ovens focus on heat alone. It has a fan and exhaust system that circulates air throughout the oven.
Hence, the equal cooking temperature is maintained, resulting in shorter cooking times.
Which countertop convection oven should I purchase?
While there are other excellent countertop convection ovens available, the Breville BOV800XL Smart Oven stands out.
This oven has ten cooking settings, an Element IQ system with a fan and five individually adjustable quartz heating elements that help manage temperatures.
Is a convection oven’s fan always on?
The fan will continue to operate constantly as long as the oven is set to convection. If the oven door is opened, it will switch off.
Certain models let you manually activate or deactivate the convection setting, which also activates or deactivates the fan. This enables you to choose the optimal cooking environment for the meal you’re preparing.
What is the proper way to clean a convection oven?
Clean the racks and any other attachments with soap and water. Inside the oven, use an oven cleaning solution to remove oil and buildup. Clean up spills and replace clean, dry racks in the oven.
Is there anything I should avoid cooking in my convection oven?
Certain delicacies, such as souffles, may collapse due to the circulating air. Convection bakes flan, souffles, cakes, and slices of bread poorly.
Due to the flowing air, cakes and bread often dry on the inside, which is why they taste better when cooked in a normal oven.
What kind of cookware is compatible with a convection oven?
You may use ceramic, glass, aluminum, or clay cookware in a convection oven. Thinner cookware often performs better since heat can reach the food from all directions.
Additionally, you may utilize pans and cookie sheets with lower sides to ensure that as much food as possible is directly exposed to the heat.
Is an air fryer the same thing as a convection oven?
An air fryer is nothing more than a little convection oven. A conventional convection oven often offers a broader range of capabilities than an appliance designed only as an air fryer.
What is the difference between a toaster and a convection oven?
While a conventional toaster oven is not a convection oven, most modern toaster ovens are.
Bottomline
Cooking with convection requires some trial and error at first, but it may improve your cooking habits.
Once you’ve grasped how the convection function influences your cooking, you’ll be able to accelerate the completion of many of your favorite dishes.
The cooking presets eliminate the need to alter the temperature and timing manually. Additionally, you may cook various food items simultaneously by arranging them on separate racks.
Last update on 2023-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API