What is the Difference Between Conventional and Convection Oven?

The main difference between conventional and convection ovens lies in the way they distribute heat and cook food. Here are the key differences:

1. Heat Distribution: Conventional ovens have heating elements on the top and bottom of the oven cavity, relying on radiant heat to cook food. In contrast, convection ovens have a fan and exhaust system that helps circulate hot air around the cavity, reducing hot and cool spots and promoting more even cooking results.
2. Fan and Exhaust System: Convection ovens have a fan and exhaust system that circulates heated air through the oven space, ensuring a more consistent temperature. Conventional ovens do not have a fan or exhaust system and rely on the heat from the heating elements to cook the food.
3. Number of Heating Elements: Some convection ovens have a third heating element, called True Convection, in addition to the fan and exhaust system. This heating element helps foods cook faster by distributing hot air around the top, bottom, and sides of the food. Conventional ovens do not have this additional heating element.
4. Cooking Times and Temperatures: Convection ovens typically cook faster than conventional ovens due to the consistent temperature and air circulation. You may need to reduce cooking temperatures by 25 degrees Fahrenheit or so when using a convection oven.
5. Energy Efficiency: True convection ovens are generally more energy-efficient than conventional ovens, as they circulate heat more evenly and can cook food faster.

In summary, convection ovens use a fan and exhaust system to circulate hot air more evenly, leading to faster and more uniform cooking results compared to conventional ovens, which rely on radiant heat from heating elements.

Comparative Table: Conventional vs Convection Oven

The main difference between conventional and convection ovens lies in the way they heat and cook food. Here is a comparison table highlighting the key differences:

In summary, conventional ovens use heating elements on the top and bottom of the oven cavity to cook food, while convection ovens use a fan and exhaust system to circulate hot air around the cavity for more even cooking results. Convection ovens can cook food faster and more evenly due to the consistent heat provided by the circulating air.