Convection oven - what is it? This question interests many. This is due to the fact that household appliances of this type differ from the oven we are used to. Convection is an alternative method of electrical heating that uses fans to circulate hot air rather than stationary electrical elements to generate heat. This uniform air distribution is the main reason for the popularity of convection ovens, particularly pyrolytic and multi-function units, which boast heating excellence along with a variety of cooking styles.
What is the oven used for?
Users often ask questions regarding the purpose of this type of equipment. Quite often you can come across the question, convection oven - what is it and what is it used for. Many people mistakenly believe that this technique has only one purpose.
The convection oven can be used for all normal cooking processes. With a little practice, you can easily master this kind of cooking, and thanks to the built-in programs and menu that comes with the kit, you can develop your cooking talent. Ovens are designed to suit any cooking style. They can even be used in tandem with other home appliances such as cooktops, woks, deep fryers, ovens and ranges. It all depends on the imagination of its owner.
What is the difference between convection and oven
Considering the question of what a convection oven is, it’s worth talking about the differences with a classic oven. According to reviews from many users, such equipment expands the options for baking and roasting food.
Every homeowner has their own preferred cooking style, although convection ovens do have advantages worth considering.
Here are just a few reasons why such equipment is changing the way users cook:
- A healthy alternative to frying in fatty oils.
- Evenly heated oven cavity.
- Less product drying when using air instead of direct heat.
- Food retains more moisture during cooking.
- Lower cooking temperatures result in a cooler kitchen.
- Faster cooking means saving time, energy and money.
Even cooking
Convection oven - what is it? It cooks food evenly. There are also a number of differences from the standard stove. Old, outdated ovens relied entirely on stationary heating elements to cook food. To achieve satisfactory results, food must be rearranged according to the location and condition of the heat source. Naturally, cooking results varied at different oven levels, and readiness was almost impossible to guess without proper experience.
The steam convection oven has a simple solution. It uses traditional wood-burning oven principles combined with heating elements and fans to provide targeted air circulation and the ability to cook more evenly.
Cooking speed
Convection allows the interior to heat up faster. This oven forces hot air around food, allowing it to cook evenly and thoroughly while maintaining juiciness. Convection cooking is supposed to be 25% faster than using a conventional oven.
What are the best ovens, based on user reviews? Six models received the most positive comments from customers.
Device
The heating design consists of several important elements:
- gate;
- mounting location for the chimney;
- surface for heating food (optional);
- convection pipes;
- secondary air supply jets;
- fuel supply door;
- gas guide flaps;
- holes for hot air outlet;
- grate;
- hole for cold air entry.
Unox LineMiss Arianna
The robust small model has four additional XFT130 grilles. They are necessary to place food inside the compartment. The Unox convection oven offers high performance and at the same time has a stylish appearance.
According to reviews from many users, these household appliances are used not only at home, but also in cafes and small restaurants. There is a touch control unit on the central panel. The database includes 99 baking programs for various types of baked goods. There is a food preparation control system. You can set the humidity level and the speed of rotation of the tray inside.
Main technical characteristics:
- Power 3 kW.
- 4 baking racks.
- Operating voltage 230 V.
- Weight 31 kg.
How to choose?
To choose a quality device, you need to decide on your needs and pay attention to the option that best suits them.
For a summer residence, it is recommended to choose solutions that have a surface for heating food. For home use in small spaces, electric options are the best. They will be a mini oven with convection.
When purchasing, you should pay attention to such indicators as:
- power;
- dimensions;
- material of manufacture;
- presence of a hob;
- installation safety;
- fuel used.
Models for home
- Flames KP-2. This stove has small dimensions, its weight is only 44 kg and there is a 40 liter combustion chamber. It is suitable for use in cabins, because it helps to uniformly heat the room.
- Flames KP-4. This oven is slightly larger in size. It has a power of 4 kW, so it can be used for medium-sized rooms. It has a simple design and attractive appearance.
- Furnaces of Professor Butakov. This option is suitable for heating your own home. It can be installed in the basement. The design works with solid fuel and consumes very little of it.
- Teplodar Matrix 100. This design has the advantage of being compact. At the same time, it can quickly heat about 100 cubic meters of area. It has a glass heat-resistant door and a two-channel afterburning system.
- Heater 100. There are also smaller models, so you should choose the appropriate option based on your needs. This stove can heat up to 100 cubic meters. The body is made of hardened steel. Best suited for household use.
Gemlux GL-OR-1838
The Gemlux GL-OR-1838 convection oven has a compact size and can be used as a built-in type of household appliance in the kitchen. According to the manufacturer, this technique can be a complete replacement for the classic oven. To achieve this, all the necessary functions for heating and cooking food have been integrated into it. In addition, the equipment body is made of a solid stainless steel sheet. The front panel has a convenient control unit with an electronic display. The upper and lower parts of the internal space can be adjusted in temperature at the discretion of the user. All set parameters are displayed on three LCD displays.
Model characteristics:
- Capacity 38 l.
- Power 1.80 kW.
- Operating temperature: +30…+230 °C.
- Timer 120 minutes.
- Camera with light.
Functionality
On the domestic Russian market you can find similar ovens with automatic programs that simplify the process of preparing food:
- Automatic start.
- Temperature probes.
- Sleep mode.
- Ability to program cooking modes.
- Camera cooling function.
- Extraction of moisture and air.
- Built-in interior lighting.
Standard baking sheets are used; each product fits four baking sheets or racks.
Smeg SFA6304X
Smeg is an Italian manufacturer of household appliances offering elegant, modern solutions for living. Many of the ovens look beautiful, with touchscreen displays and sleek silver finishes. Models are equipped with countless programs for individual cooking, as well as advanced safety features. There are more than 30 models to choose from, one of which is the Classic Sestg (SFA6304X). This device is in great demand and has many positive reviews from customers.
The capacity of a Smeg convection oven is approximately 80 liters. It has several sections that make it possible to place 2-3 trays of food at once for heating or cooking. A distinctive feature is the presence of adjustable heat levels on the bottom and top panels. The user can regulate them independently. The dashboard has a display that displays all the information about the current state of the oven.
Varieties
The main criteria on the basis of which convector stoves for heating a dacha, home, etc. are differentiated. - this is the material of manufacture.
In this regard, the following are distinguished: metal, cast iron, brick stoves.
The first are constructed of high-strength steel that can withstand high temperatures. Such an installation heats the room in the shortest possible time. However, due to the fact that the metal layers are very thin, the heat also disappears quickly. For greater effect, stainless steel is used. Another disadvantage of a metal stove is that if the seams are made poorly, they may come apart under strong heating.
Cast iron ones have proven themselves well. They are compact in size and can take up any space in the house. A chimney is mounted on such a structure, which goes out onto the street, and it is through it that combustion products are discharged.
Brick kilns have gained the greatest popularity and have been able to gain the trust of users. Of all the varieties, they are the most durable and reliable. The chimney is made in the form of a coil. Thanks to this, combustion products, which are a source of heat, are efficiently preserved. A similar convection oven for heating a house heats up quite slowly, but the brick itself has the ability to retain heat for a long time. Such structures are multifunctional; they can be used to cook food and also be used as a fireplace.
Convection oven for heating in the interior
Panasonic NNCF770M
With tablet and inverter technology and 15 automatic cooking menus, the Panasonic steam convection oven works perfectly. In addition, it also has grill functions, therefore, customers can create more dishes that they like.
An attractive feature of the model is the presence of special stands, which make it possible to place several trays of food at once. There are modes for steaming food for preparing dietary dishes. The presence of a software module allows you to select the appropriate cooking mode.
All settings are made on the large LCD display, which is located at the top of the control panel. The device can additionally be used to defrost food. If necessary, the temperature in the upper and lower parts of the container inside the oven can be adjusted. This makes it possible to cook several dishes at once.
Technical specifications:
- Maximum power 1 kW.
- Oven volume 27 l.
- Child lock.
- Weight 17.5.
Application area
Professional heating equipment based on the convection effect is most widely used in cooking. There are also industrial models, whose length, width and height allow you to accommodate objects of different sizes and dimensions. The bulk of convection ovens are created for the purpose of preparing hot dishes and baked goods in the kitchen. The additional function of the electric grill is provided by powerful heating elements (tubular electric heaters) located on the upper and lower inner panels of the heating chamber.
Thanks to the adjustable steam humidification, the combi oven also acquires the function of a large steamer. The wide range of applications of a convection oven, combined with the impressive capacity of the internal chamber, has served this type of equipment in good stead: combi steamers from popular manufacturers can be found in the kitchen of any large restaurant or canteen.
Principle of operation
The operating principle of the convection oven is based on the convection effect: this is the process of heat exchange between directed gas flows (in this case, air). This is achieved through a powerful fan on the back wall of the heating chamber and 3-4 heating elements on top and bottom. Most of these devices have a humidity control function, which helps to steam dishes, simulating the process of stewing, boiling, or a water bath. If the corresponding switch is set to “zero”, the standard grill mode will turn on, and very dry hot air will remain in the oven, perfect for baking.
KEP-10P
Users did not ignore the domestic manufacturer either. The KEP convection oven is widespread and is popular even among chefs in restaurants. The model is used for cooking and heating dishes. There are modifications for professional cooking. The main difference from the home version is the size and heat treatment modes of the product.
The advantages of the model include high performance and minimal power consumption. This is a monolithic convection oven with a wide range of functions. The device has 10 preset programs for preparing different types of dishes. Additionally, the model can be used for defrosting products. At the bottom there is a tray that allows you to collect fat, juices and other types of liquids that drain from food.
The device has the following technical characteristics:
- Power 15.5 kW.
- Case material: stainless steel.
- Electronic control panel.
- 3 engines.
- 10 heating levels.
- Reverse technology.
- Steam humidification.
Rating or top 5 models
Energy EN-1003
pros
- simple operation, easy care
- excellent quality-cost ratio
- bakes perfectly in all modes
Minuses
- no backlight
From 2460 ₽
Centek CT-1530-36 Convection
pros
- compact, convenient, reliable
- good equipment, including grill
- bakes pies quickly
Minuses
- short power cord
- The case gets very hot
From 3425 ₽
Energy En-1002
pros
- bakes well with a golden crust
- you can cook any food, but only in your sleeve
Minuses
- It is difficult to wash off grease from internal panels
- very short cord
From 2184 ₽
Kraft KF-MO3804KR
pros
- bakes perfectly on all modes
- meat skewer plus convention is class
- excellent equipment
Minuses
- not found
From 3690 ₽
AVEX TR 300 BCL
pros
- good equipment
- excellent build quality
- I was pleased with the presence of a timer and spit
Minuses
- not found
From 3238 ₽
Breville BOV800XL
Reviews about this convection oven are also positive. The model includes IQ Element technology. This innovative feature allows for more precise temperature control, which is key to successful convection oven cooking. Its five quartz heating elements provide fast heat-up and cooking temperatures, while three easy-to-install racks provide the versatility needed to prepare virtually any dish.
There are also additional technologies for home use. The Smart Oven feature means the 1.8kW power can be adjusted to facilitate a wide range of cooking options.
Technical characteristics of the furnace:
- Power 1.8 kW.
- Quartz heating elements.
- 9 cooking modes.
- Weight 31 kg.
- LCD display on the front panel.
The Element IQ system works like a control switch on the light panel, increasing or decreasing power as needed using a convenient knob on the unit control unit.