Convection Oven vs. Conventional Oven: 5 Key Differences

A convection oven’s additional fan and exhaust system, both of which a conventional oven does not have, circulate the heated air throughout the oven while food is cooking. This provides consistent heat distribution in every corner of the oven. Convection cooking is also a more energy-efficient cooking process compared to a traditional oven. The air circulation makes it possible to cook at a lower temperature and reduces cooking times. In addition, the oven won’t take as long to preheat as a conventional oven. A [convection oven](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-convection-oven-how-to-use-convection-heat-with-oven-baked-sweet-potatoes-recipe) typically has a convection setting that turns the fan on, letting you use the oven as a traditional oven. When baking items like flan or quick breads, it’s recommended that you avoid the convection setting as the airflow leads to a dry surface. A conventional oven (also called a regular oven or traditional oven) is common in household kitchens. The heating element, or heat source, is normally located at the bottom of the oven, with the broiler found on top. The lack of moving air within the oven cavity can create hotspots. Food placed closest to the heating source will cook more quickly than food located farther away. If you have a traditional oven and want the benefits of convection cooking, like faster cooking times, without having to buy a new oven, consider purchasing a smaller countertop toaster oven combination appliance. Some offer a convection setting or an adjustable fan speed. Convection ovens and conventional ovens both cook foods using a heating element that raises the temperature to a set degree. The biggest difference between the two ovens is how they circulate the hot air within the oven’s cavity. Here are additional differences between the two cooking methods: - __Energy efficiency__: Food cooked in a convection oven will cook about twenty-five percent faster than when you cook it in a conventional oven, thanks to the constant hot airflow. A traditional oven also takes longer to preheat. - __Heating element__: A convection oven has a heating element that cooks food at a set oven temperature and also includes a large fan. A conventional oven has a fixed heating source that enables you to adjust the temperature. - __Heat distribution__: The convection fan that circulates hot air ensures food cooks more evenly than in a traditional oven. Every corner of the dish receives the same amount of heat at all times. Convection baking prevents a situation in which one side of your food ends up burned while the other is underdone. To achieve even heat distribution in a traditional oven, you’ll need to turn the pan three to four times during the cooking process since a traditional oven has a single heating element that slowly radiates heat from the bottom of the oven. - __Moisture__: The moving air in a convection oven creates a drier atmosphere within the oven, helping to create crispy coatings on everything from French fries to roast chicken. In a conventional oven, you can increase browning by applying more fat (like olive oil or butter) or turning the pan a few times during cooking. - __Oven capacity__: The airflow of a convection oven makes it possible to place items on both oven racks. For example, when baking cookies, you can put multiple baking sheets in the oven at once. The air circulation ensures they cook evenly without you needing to rotate them. In a traditional oven, you will need to switch the sheet pans midway through cooking; otherwise, the bottom pan will receive more heat than the top one. Become a better chef with the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com). Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Alice Waters, Gabriela Cámara, Niki Nakayama, Chef Thomas Keller, Gordon Ramsay, Yotam Ottolenghi, Dominique Ansel, and more. Cooking food in a convection oven versus a conventional oven involves accounting for key differences in how the two methods circulate air and distribute heat.