What Is the Difference Between Regular and Convection Ovens?
Regular and convection ovens both use heating elements to cook food, but the convection oven adds a feature that helps it cook foods faster and more evenly: a fan. Does this Spark an idea?
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Types
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Both conventional and convection ovens can be powered by either electricity or gas. The difference is in the way the ovens cook.
Features
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Regular ovens have a heating element on the bottom that warms the air and the oven walls; a heating element on top is used for broiling. Convection ovens have the same heating elements, but they add a fan at the back of the oven that constantly circulates the hot air.
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Benefits
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Convection ovens cook foods up to 25 percent faster, producing juicier meats, flakier crusts and perfectly roasted vegetables, according to "Fine Cooking" magazine. Better heat distribution results in more even cooking than in a regular oven, the magazine says.
Considerations
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True convection ovens add a third heating element with the fan, to heat the air before it enters the oven cavity. Lower-quality convection ovens omit this third element, which results in uneven heating.
Cost
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Convection ovens cost several hundred dollars more than a comparable conventional oven. As with all appliances, prices and quality vary widely.
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