Adding a Convection Oven to the Kitchen

You’ve decided to add a convection oven to your repertoire of cooking appliances. Well done. Convection ovens are known for their ability to cook food in less time due to the fact that they create a uniform temperature throughout, unlike a traditional oven which circulates the hot air randomly inside. This is because convection ovens have internal fans that ensure the same temperature reaches the top and bottom of your food. You know what it’s like when you pull something out of the oven and the bottom is black but the top if golden brown, what a pain. Don’t expect that problem with a convection oven, but expect to feel it on your wallet if you want to pay the price for good food cooked faster.

Depending on your cooking needs, a good convection oven will cost you anywhere between $350 and $1000. Of course, if you’re not looking to be the next top chef, and you just want to make a simple meal for your family, you can rest easy in going with a lower priced model, since they are geared more toward the home.

When you get your new convection oven, it will take some trial and error before you get it right. It’s hard to get used to setting the temperature at a lower level for less time when we’ve been used to turning everything to 450 degrees and waiting for 45 minutes for our food to be cooked. Not so with a convection oven. Most recipes can be cooked in 25 percent less time than a normal oven, and at a lower heat level. Not only does that mean faster food, but a reduction in your energy bill. Something we could all use a break on these days.

In terms of actually cooking your food, you’ll find that a convection oven will do a better job at sealing in the juices of your meats so your dishes taste more flavorful, and when it comes to baked goods, convection ovens do a better job at providing a more even temperature, thus ensuring that your cookies and pies are more evenly browned. Pastry might also turn out better, too, since the heat from a convection oven doesn’t fuse the flour and butter, but rather allows it to form flakes.

While a convection oven will probably never replace a traditional oven in the home, it is something to consider if you want to save on time, and energy costs. It’s a great addition to the kitchen, as more and more manufacturers are not only providing them for restaurants these days, but also with the typical American household in mind. Imagine coming home from a long day at work, starving, only to realize that you can make a full course meal in less time than it would take with your regular oven? Not only does that sound appealing to you, but to your family as well, who will inevitably bombard you with that all important question as soon as you walk in the door, “When’s dinner?”