Cooking food evenly can be a challenging task, especially when you have an oven that doesn't distribute heat evenly like a conventional oven. Therefore, with the help of a convection oven, you can achieve perfectly cooked food every time. Convection ovens work by circulating hot air throughout the oven, resulting in faster cooking times and more evenly cooked food. But with so many options available, it can be challenging to determine which convection oven is the best fit for your needs.
In this post, we will discuss the best convection ovens available in the market that can help you achieve excellent cooking results. We'll go over their features, capacities, and ease of use to help you make an informed decision when selecting the perfect convection oven for your kitchen.
What is a convection oven?
Unlike a conventional oven, a convection oven is an oven that uses a fan to circulate hot air around the food being cooked. This constant circulation of hot air helps to cook the food more evenly and quickly, as the moving air transfers heat more efficiently than still air. Convection ovens are known for producing crispy and evenly-browned results, making them particularly useful for baking and roasting. They can be found in both commercial and home kitchens and are available as stand-alone units or as part of a range or wall oven.
How does a convection oven work?
A convection oven works by circulating hot air around the food being cooked. This is done using a fan that is located in the back of the oven. When the oven is turned on, the fan blows hot air around the food, which helps to cook it more evenly and quickly.
The hot air in a convection oven is usually generated by a heating element located at the bottom or top of the oven. As the hot air rises, it is pushed by the fan toward the food. As the hot air circulates around the food, it transfers heat more efficiently than still air, which helps to cook the food faster and more evenly.
Because a convection oven cooks food faster than a conventional oven, it can be set at a lower temperature and still cook the food in the same amount of time. This can save energy and money on your energy bills.
Overall, a convection oven is a great choice for anyone who wants to do convection cooking and cook food quickly, evenly, and with a crispy texture. It is a versatile and efficient appliance that can be used for a variety of cooking methods.
What are the key features of a convection oven?
The key features of a convection oven include:
- Fan: A convection oven has a fan that circulates hot air around the food. This helps to cook the food more evenly and quickly.
- Even cooking: The circulating hot air helps to ensure that the food is cooked evenly, with no hot spots or cold spots.
- Faster cooking: Because the hot air is constantly moving, convection ovens can cook food faster than traditional ovens.
- Crispy texture: The circulating hot air helps to create a crispy texture on the outside of the food while keeping inside moist.
- Versatility: Convection ovens can be used for a variety of cooking methods, including baking, roasting, broiling, and even dehydrating.
- Multiple racks: Many convection ovens come with multiple racks, which allows you to do convection cooking and cook multiple dishes at once.
- Temperature control: Convection ovens usually have precise temperature controls, which allow you to cook your food at the exact temperature you need.
- Self-cleaning: Some convection ovens come with self-cleaning features, which makes cleaning up after cooking much easier.
- Energy efficiency: Because convection ovens cook food faster than traditional ovens, they can be more energy-efficient, which can save you money on your energy bills.
Conclusion
A convection oven is an essential kitchen appliance that can help you cook food more evenly and efficiently than the conventional oven, and may be safer than a microwave oven
When choosing a convection oven, it's important to consider factors such as size, capacity, cooking functions, and ease of use. Whether you're a professional chef or a home cook, investing in a good convection oven can help take your cooking to the next level and ensure that your food is cooked evenly and to perfection.
Need help? We've done the research for you and found the Best Convection Oven on Amazon. Every day, we read hundreds of reviews and try the highest-rated products we have on our list.
Best Convection Oven - Reviews
The Best
About this product
- The Breville Smart Oven Pro with Element iQ System is a high-performance countertop oven that allows you to cook your meals faster and more efficiently. By using the convection setting, you can reduce your cooking time by up to 30%, while the interior oven light guides you to perfection.
- The Element iQ System utilizes 5 independent quartz elements and smart algorithms to steer power to where and when it's needed, creating the ideal cooking environment for perfect results every time. Additionally, the fast 1800 Watt preheat gets your meals on the table more quickly.
- With 10 cooking functions to choose from, including Toast, Bagel, Bake, Roast, Broil, Pizza, Cookies, Reheat, Warm, and Slow cook, this versatile countertop oven can handle all of your cooking needs.
- The Smart Oven Pro's convection setting is powered by an inbuilt fan that circulates the hot air within the oven, which speeds up the cooking process by stripping away the cold air that surrounds your food.
- The slow cook function is designed for long cook times at low temperatures, allowing you to take your time to tenderize and develop complex flavors. You can slow cook for up to 10 hours before the setting automatically turns to keep warm.
- The large 18.5 x 15.7 x 11.1 inch interior has enough room for 6 slices of bread, a 13-inch pizza, roast chicken, a 9-cup muffin tray, and even for slow cooking with a 4.4 qt Dutch oven.
- The integrated oven light automatically turns on at the end of the cooking cycle to help you see inside. The LCD display makes it easy to access the built-in smart functionality and choose from the 10 cooking functions. It also indicates when preheating has been completed and automatically begins to count down on the cooking time for perfect results.
- The included accessories are one Oven Rack, a 12 x 12-inch Enamel Baking Pan, a 12 x 12-inch Enamel Broiling Rack, and a 13-inch Non-Stick Pizza Pan.
- This product comes with a 1 Year Limited Product Warranty, and it has a power of 1800 Watts and a voltage of 110 to 120 Volts. Additionally, the replaceable componentry allows you to keep this countertop oven running like your regular large oven.
A single person or a couple will stop using their large oven if they get this. Studio apartments should provide one of these and an induction top to save space. This thing is great with frozen pizzas. It is auto-set for this and you just put it on the included pizza plate and ready to eat. Convection cooking gives a nice, even cooking to it and it doesn't come out all cracker dry and browned like in a conventional oven.
A few customers said the replacement oven now failing with the same E05 error code. Some customers say that it's a bit overpriced for what it does.
Our Thoughts - This E05 error happened in 2017, and we think that the issue would have been fixed by now. People who show photos of blown-out wall outlets or burnt walls or ruined plugs didn't read the manual. It clearly says that it should be four inches away from anything on all sides and six inches from anything above. This sucker gets hot. It is not insulated like a regular oven. Don't put it in a hole like a microwave, even if you have heat sinks all about.
Very Good
About this product
- This powerful toaster oven offers endless cooking functions with its 1800 watts of power. You can easily dual cook, sandwich speed convection, bake, broil, toast, waffle, bagel, reheat leftovers, and keep food warm, among several other options.
- In terms of capacity, this toaster oven can fit a 13-inch pizza, a 9-inch x 13-inch baking pan, and up to 9 slices of bread. The .95-cubic feet inside oven space is perfect for cooking a variety of foods.
- The digital convection toaster oven boasts must-have features such as a large blue backlit display with a door sensor to activate the oven, a non-stick interior for easy cleaning, and an Exact Heat sensor that maintains precise oven temperature. It also has an Always Even toast shade control and a convenient auto-slide rack for easy use.
- Additionally, this beautiful brushed stainless steel unit comes with a 13-inch pizza stone, 2 cooking racks, a 9-inch x 13-inch enamel baking pan, and a broiling pan. It also includes an interior light, clock, and 2-hour timer with a front pull-out crumb tray and a recipe book to make cooking a breeze.
- To provide peace of mind, this product comes with a limited 3-year warranty. Refer to the user manual for troubleshooting steps and questions surrounding warranty policies. Furthermore, this toaster oven is BPA-free, making it a safe and healthy choice for your kitchen.
It cooks very well and we don't really have any complaints on that end. It heats up quickly and does a good job of maintaining a consistent temperature and the build quality overall feels very high. Such a great toaster oven! Many different functions and it comes with a few trays and a pizza stone. It preheats fast and automatically shuts off when the timer ends.
Customers liked this convection oven, until out of the blue, when the oven was not in use, it beeped twice and the error code "ErL" appeared. After unplugging, waiting, and re-plugging, same code! Over and over. Customer service will replace the unit, as a "one-time courtesy".
Our Thoughts - As one customer put it "The holy grail in my kitchen". This is an extra hot convection oven that requires hardly any pre-heating time (full-size ovens take 10-15 min to pre-heat). If you want to do convection cooking, this is it.
Good Value
About this product
- The air fryer has a compact and modern design that comes in three colors, making cooking in style hassle-free.
- With temperatures up to 450°F, meals can be cooked in minutes.
- Enjoy simple cooking with five one-touch food presets, as well as helpful preheat and keep warm functions.
- Even Heating Technology automatically detects and readjusts heat throughout cooking, ensuring more evenly cooked crispy results.
- With up to 97% less oil than traditional deep fryers, guilt-free meals can be prepared.
- Cleaning is a breeze with the nonstick, BPA-free, dishwasher-safe basket and crisper plate.
- Access over 150 original recipes by the COSORI chefs on the VeSync app for endless inspiration.
- An automatic Shake Reminder lets you know when to shake or flip halfway through cooking, while smart notifications keep you updated on meal progress. The air fryer is safe to use with automatic shutoff, overheat protection, and BPA-free accessories.
- Search for "B0BSFP5989" (COSORI air fryer disposable liners) or "B07LCW5S2H" (original COSORI accessories set) to find more accessories.
From many happy users: This was an excellent purchase. Very user-friendly, easy to maintain, and clean. The initial and subsequent cooking in the air fryer did not yield an odd smell that you would normally get from non-stick surfaces. These lucky users did follow the suggestion to preheat it with a bowl of water-vinegar solution in the air fryer for about 20 min cycle two times. The price point for this appliance was reasonable, especially for what you are getting.
Some users said that the toxic smell of burning plastic wouldn't go away. And it wasn't just that initial smell we can get with electronics. This was so bad, it permeated my entire house. A few mentioned that it arrived damaged.
Our Thoughts - Only about 1% of these end up with a smell that won't ever go away. Cleaning is a breeze. No, seriously, you cannot get any better than this.
It would be better if the cord is 3-6" longer.
Good
About this product
- Introducing the Digital Air Fry Oven with True Surround Convection - the perfect kitchen appliance for faster, crispier, and juicier meals. With up to 10 times the convection power of a traditional full-size oven, this powerful 1800-watt appliance features 10 versatile functions, including Air Fry, Air Roast, Bake, Whole Roast, Broil, Toast, Bagel, Dehydrate, Reheat, and Pizza, all in one convenient package.
- Say goodbye to guesswork with the integrated Foodi Smart Thermometer - the Smart Cook System lets you achieve perfect doneness from rare to well done with just the touch of a button. Plus, the 90-second oven preheats time and up to 30% faster cooking make quick family meals a breeze.
- This extra-large capacity oven allows for 2-level even cooking, no rotating required - fit a 5-lb chicken and a sheet pan of vegetables, 2 12-in pizzas, or a 12-lb turkey. Make 2 sheet pan meals at once for entertaining or weekly meal prep. With up to 75% less fat when using the Air Fry function vs. traditional deep frying, and up to 30% crispier results vs. a traditional convection oven, you can enjoy healthy meals without sacrificing taste.
- The digital display handle illuminates the optimal oven rack positions based on the selected function, and the display settings freeze when the door is open to prevent any accidental changes to the cook cycle. Perfect for baking, this oven delivers up to 50% more even baking results than a leading countertop oven.
- Entertaining large groups is easy with this oven - make 2 sheet pan meals at once for a hassle-free experience. This package includes the Digital Air Fry Oven, (2) sheet pans, (2) wire racks, Air fry basket, Roast Tray, Crumb Tray, Foodi Smart Thermometer & 15 Recipe Guide, making it the ultimate countertop appliance for all your cooking needs.
This oven heats up extremely quickly, has a built-in timer, and sends a tone when it reaches temp and when it is finished cooking too. This oven is also a great versatile tool in the kitchen. It toasts bread evenly on both sides and you have choices of the number of pieces of bread and shades of toast. This is something that can't be done in a microwave oven.
A few customers said that only a year old, just past warranty, and now seeing
Error 2 which means it's not worth fixing. Some received the wrong oven in the right box, weird.
Our Thoughts - It feels so premium taking it out of the box you know instantly this unit is going to change the way you cook. Ninja is a reputable brand and makes great products. For convection cooking. this it.
Good
About this product
- Introducing the No-Flip Air Fry Basket and 360° Air Fry System - your solution to perfect air fry creations, without any flipping required. From fresh-cut french fries to delicate fish, achieve perfection every time with this innovative system.
- With Even-Heat Convection Technology, the top and bottom heating element design, and convection fan ensure that the inside of the oven is heated to, and stays at the right temperature for optimal cooking results.
- The large capacity of this oven allows you to create anything from a sheet cake to a full one-pan dinner (9 x 13” baking pan included), one 12" pizza, or up to 2 full-size chickens (3.4 lbs each).
- With 9 essential cooking settings, from proofing and dehydration to toasting and air frying, you can now create anything you can imagine. Plus, with fast preheating, this oven is ready to bake in under 4 minutes.
- Model KCO124 includes (1) Air fry basket, (1) 9x13-inch baking pan with grill rack, (1) removable metal drip and crumb tray, and (1) removable metal rack, making it the perfect addition to your kitchen for all your cooking needs.
What a high percentage of customers like: Heats up quickly. Lots of functions.
Non-stick interior. Accurate temperature. Can adjust time/temperature on the fly.
Saved the best for last... the light!
A few customers said that the older model's inside capacity was tall enough to accommodate a little roast, a small chicken, and a cooked pizza to perfection. The height is too low. This is a toaster oven it should toast very well. Also cooks unevenly period.
Our Thoughts - It bakes, air fries, and toasts. What else would you want? You may have to get used to preheating. Bakes a 12” frozen pizza without turning on the large oven. Baked Italian meatballs. Air-fried French fries.
Good
About this product
- This all-in-one machine provides 10 functions to take care of all your cooking needs, including toast, bake, broil, pizza, cookies, defrost, reheat, rotisserie, keep warm, and convection.
- Easily control all features and check current cooking settings with three knobs that have large high-contrast LCD displays, ensuring your desired cooking result every time.
- The TOSHIBA Countertop Toaster Oven's 1500W powerful output allows for faster and even baking, maintaining a consistent temperature for up to two hours at a range between 150°F–450°F.
- With a larger interior, the oven can fit up to six slices of bread, an 11" pizza, casseroles, cookies, and up to a 4-pound chicken. External dimensions are approximately 18.98" x 15.59" x 10.78".
- The TOSHIBA Speedy Convection Toaster Oven comes with six accessories, including a removable crumb tray, rotisserie kit and lifter, baking rack, baking pan, and a rack clamp.
- With a 1-year warranty plus lifetime customer support, any problems with your toaster oven will be solved professionally.
The many customers that received problem-free ovens say that they love this oven. Hardly use the large oven anymore. It’s big enough for a family of 4 and would be ideal for a couple or single person. Easy to use. Made well. So much healthier than microwaves.
Some customers received damaged ovens. A few mentioned that the temperature controls don't work properly or are not accurate. Unusual but one user had the glass door explode sending glass pieces everywhere.
Our Thoughts - Searched online to find the cause and discovered that the manufacturers of tempered glass are skipping the last step which is proofing the glass because it is too expensive. Well, these companies may get sued one day.
FAQs
Is a convection oven like an air fryer?
A convection oven and an air fryer are similar in the sense that they both use a fan to circulate hot air around the food to cook it. However, there are some key differences between the two appliances.
A convection oven is a regular oven with a fan and exhaust system that helps to circulate hot air around the food, resulting in more even cooking and faster cooking times. Convection ovens can be used for baking, roasting, and broiling, and they come in various sizes, from small countertop models to large commercial ovens.
An air fryer, on the other hand, is a smaller appliance that is specifically designed for frying food using hot air instead of oil. Air fryers typically use a basket or tray to hold the food, and the hot air circulates around it to cook it quickly and evenly. They are often used for making crispy fried foods, such as french fries, chicken wings, and onion rings, with less oil and fat than traditional deep-frying methods.
So while both appliances use hot air to cook food, a convection oven is a more versatile appliance that can be used for a wider range of cooking tasks, while an air fryer is a specialized appliance designed specifically for frying food with hot air.
Are convection ovens worth the extra cost?
A convection oven can be more expensive than a conventional oven, but many people find that the benefits they offer are worth the extra cost.
One of the main advantages of convection ovens is that they cook food faster and more evenly than traditional ovens. The fan and exhaust system circulate hot air around the food, ensuring that it cooks evenly on all sides. This means that you can often cook food at a lower temperature and for a shorter amount of time, which can help to save energy and reduce cooking times.
A convection oven can also be more versatile than a conventional oven, as it can be used for baking, roasting, broiling, and more. They are particularly good for baking, as the circulating hot air helps to create a crisp crust on baked goods. Ultimately, the decision to invest in a convection oven will depend on your individual needs and budget.
Does food taste better when cooked in a convection oven?
Food cooked in a convection oven can taste better than food cooked in a conventional oven, but it depends on the type of food being cooked and personal preference.
A convection oven cooks food faster and more evenly than a conventional oven because of the fan and exhaust system that circulates hot air around the food. This can result in a crispier, more evenly browned exterior on foods like roasted vegetables and meats, and can help to create a flakier crust on baked goods like pies and pastries.
However, some people may prefer the slower, gentler heat of a conventional oven for certain foods, as it can result in a different texture or flavor. For example, some baked goods may be more tender and moist when cooked in a conventional oven.
Ultimately, the taste and texture of food cooked in a convection oven versus a conventional oven is a matter of personal preference. If you have the opportunity, it can be helpful to experiment with both types of ovens and decide which one you prefer for different types of food.
