How Do I Know If I Have A Convection Oven? Explained

Last Updated on September 12, 2024 by Shari Mason

Although some people may already possess a convection oven, there may still be some confusion surrounding the differences between a conventional and a convection oven.

After all, they look similar. Some might not even know what they’re best to use for.

If you are asking, “How do I know if I have a convection oven?” keep scrolling.

How To Know If You Have A Convection Oven

One way to tell if your oven is convection or conventional is to look at the controls. Look for convection cooking functions. If your oven has these functions, your oven is a convection oven.

Some ovens also have multiple convection settings like convection roast or convection bake.

Moreover, though convection and conventional ovens look similar on the outside, the difference is that the former has a fan and exhaust system. 

If your oven has a fan on the inside back wall, it’s a convection oven. Ensure that your oven is turned off before checking.

Read:

• Can You Use Parchment Paper In A Toaster Oven?
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All About Convection Oven

A fan and exhaust system are present in convection ovens, ensuring air circulation around the cavity of the oven. This helps in even results when using multiple racks in cooking. 

It eliminates the need to rotate the dish in the oven. The convection oven is suitable for roasting, browning, and crisping.

Aside from the fan and exhaust system a convection has, there’s one convection oven type with a third heating element. It’s called True convection or European convection.

Convection ovens use less energy than traditional ovens. They are also easier to use and have a much shorter preheating time. [1]

Read: How To Cook Salmon In A Toaster Oven?

What To Look For

Visible Fan

One way to quickly tell if your oven is a convection oven is to check if there’s a fan inside the back wall. The fan blows the heated air inside the oven evenly when the oven is on. 

This feature keeps the air around the food at a constant temperature, allowing the food to cook more evenly and faster without rotating the dish in the oven.

Read: Do You Leave Oven Door Open When Broiling?

Exhaust System

One difference between a convection oven from a conventional oven is the fan and exhaust. 

The exhaust system circulates the hot air around the inside of the oven, then vent it back out. This feature makes multi-rack cooking possible.

The exhaust pulls moisture out of the oven, making your food crisp and fresh. Convection oven ensures fast and even cooking.

Read: Can Leaving The Oven On Cause A Fire?

Buttons

If your oven is a convection oven, you have convection cooking functions. These settings are intended for certain food types. 

Examples of these convection settings are convection bake, crisp convection, super convection, convection roast, and air fry.

Comparing a Convection Oven With Conventional Oven

Conventional ovens have top and bottom heating elements that heat the air inside the oven. The primary heat source is the bottom element, which is ideal for roasting large cuts of meat. 

The top heating element is ideal for broiling and browning since it provides top-down heat. 

Convection ovens have them, too. 

“Each cycle design is optimized for their intended food types, with Convect Bake ideal for baked goods and casseroles and Convect Roast ideal for whole roasts, poultry, and fish.”

-Katie Sadler, Whirlpool Kitchen Brand Manager

The difference is that convection ovens have a fan inside and an exhaust system that helps blow the air inside the oven for even cooking. 

Unlike conventional ovens, you don’t have to rotate the dish in the convection oven.

FAQs

In Summary

When adding an appliance to your kitchen, it’s normal to wonder about the difference between each type. 

It’s also important to know what it’s best used for to get better results and the most out of your appliance.

However, in some cases, people might have ignored certain things about their appliances, like ovens. Some people aren’t aware if their oven is convection or conventional. 

One way of telling that your oven is convection is by looking if they have convection cooking functions. Also, if there is a fan inside the oven, it’s convection.

Knowing your oven’s features will help you take your cooking to the next level.

Reference:

1. https://www.thespruceeats.com/best-convection-ovens-to-buy-4138209