Convection Ovens vs. Microwaves
- Are convection ovens and microwaves the same? No. While both appliances can heat and cook food, they use different cooking methods.
- A convection oven uses heating elements and a fan to circulate hot air around food. This helps promote even cooking and makes convection ovens well suited for baking, roasting, browning and crisping.
- A microwave uses electromagnetic waves that are absorbed by food and converted into heat. Microwaves are particularly useful for quickly reheating leftovers, defrosting frozen foods and preparing microwave-friendly meals.
Main Considerations
The main difference between a convection oven and microwave is how each appliance heats food. Here are some other differences to consider when comparing a microwave and a convection oven.
Size and Capacity
- Microwaves and convection ovens are available in a range of sizes and capacities.
- Countertop microwaves are generally compact and can be a good choice when kitchen space is limited. Built-in, over-the-range and drawer microwaves provide additional installation options that can help free up counter space.
- Convection cooking is available in ranges and wall ovens as well as some combination microwave ovens. A full-size convection oven typically provides more cooking space than a microwave, making it useful for preparing larger dishes or multiple dishes.
Cooking Time
- One of the primary benefits of a microwave is speed. Microwaves transfer energy directly to food, allowing many foods and beverages to heat quickly. They're convenient for reheating leftovers, defrosting food and preparing smaller meals.
- Convection ovens generally require more cooking time than microwaves because they rely on heated air. However, the circulating air can help food cook evenly and may reduce cooking time compared with conventional oven settings for some recipes.
Food Texture and Browning
- A microwave typically doesn't brown or crisp food as effectively as a conventional or convection oven.
- Convection ovens circulate hot air around food, which can help create browned and crisp surfaces. This makes them a good option for baking cookies and breads as well as roasting meats and vegetables.
Temperature and Power Controls
- Convection ovens typically let you select a specific cooking temperature, like conventional ovens. Available temperature ranges vary by model.
- Microwaves generally use cooking time and selectable power levels rather than a conventional oven temperature setting. Lower microwave power settings cycle the microwave on and off to provide more controlled heating for tasks such as defrosting, softening or gently cooking foods.
- Some convection microwaves and other combination appliances also include convection modes that allow you to select a cooking temperature.
Can a Convection Oven Replace a Microwave?
- Whether a convection oven can replace a microwave depends on how you cook.
- If you frequently bake, roast, brown or crisp food, a convection oven offers capabilities a standard microwave typically doesn't provide. Full-size convection ovens can also accommodate larger cookware and meals.
- If quick reheating and defrosting are priorities, a microwave is usually more convenient. A microwave can perform some cooking tasks that an oven can, but it isn't generally a direct replacement for a conventional or convection oven.
- If you want features of both appliances in one unit, consider a convection microwave or another combination appliance.
Types of Microwaves
Understanding the different types of microwaves and convection ovens can help you find an appliance that fits your kitchen and cooking habits.
Smart Microwaves: Smart microwaves may offer Wi-Fi connectivity and compatible app controls. Available smart features vary by brand and model.
Microwaves With Air Fry: Some microwaves combine microwave cooking with convection or air-fry functions. These models can provide additional browning and crisping capabilities without requiring a separate countertop air fryer.
Microwaves With Speed Cook: Speed-cook models may combine microwave energy with other heating methods to cook certain foods more quickly while providing results like conventional cooking. Features vary by model.
Microwaves With Child Lock: A control lock or child-lock feature can help prevent unintended operation of the microwave. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for using safety and control-lock features.
Types of Convection Ovens
Electric Convection Ovens: Electric ovens use heating elements to produce heat. Convection models add a fan that circulates heated air through the oven cavity.
Gas Convection Ovens: Gas ovens use natural gas or propane to generate heat. Some models include convection fans to circulate heated air. Available features and performance vary by model.
Ovens With Air Fry: Some convection ovens include an air-fry setting designed to circulate hot air rapidly around food for browning and crisping. Air frying typically requires little or no added oil compared with traditional deep frying, depending on the food and recipe.
Self-Cleaning Ovens: Some ovens offer a high-temperature self-cleaning cycle, a steam-cleaning feature or both. Cleaning methods and instructions vary, so follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
Smart Ovens: Compatible smart ovens may connect to Wi-Fi and provide features such as remote monitoring, notifications or certain appliance controls through app. Available features vary by model.
Can I Find the Best of Both Worlds?
You don't necessarily have to choose between a convection oven and microwave. Combination appliances can provide features of both while helping you make efficient use of your kitchen space.
Microwave Wall Oven Combo
- A microwave wall oven combination places a microwave or microwave-style upper oven and a conventional or convection wall oven together in an integrated, built-in appliance.
- A microwave wall oven combo can help create a streamlined appearance while keeping both appliances in one location.
- Check the product specifications and installation instructions to determine the cooking functions included with a particular model.
Convection Microwave
- A convection microwave combines microwave cooking with convection-style heating.
- In microwave mode, it uses electromagnetic energy to heat food.
- In convection mode, a heating element and fan circulate hot air to provide baking, roasting and browning capabilities.
- Some models can also combine cooking methods to reduce cooking time while providing more browning than a standard microwave.
- A convection microwave oven can be especially useful in a small kitchen or other space where having separate appliances isn't practical.