When it comes to choosing the right oven for your home and your family, there are many features to consider when comparing one against another. 

It is likely that you will have seen ovens classed as conventional or convectional, but what is the difference and which one will be best for you? We have looked into what each of these ovens has to offer with an aim to help you choose. 

What is the difference between a conventional and a convection oven?

Conventional Oven

A conventional oven has the heating elements on the top and bottom of the cavity. The element at the bottom is considered to be the main one and will cook larger items such as roasting joints. The heating element at the top offers an intense heat that is great for browning dishes. The oven will not circulate air, so it is important to get your rack placement just right in order to get the best results.

Convection Oven

A convection design uses a fan to circulate hot air around the cavity, allowing for a more even cooking experience. It may also feature an extra heating element, known as True Convection, which will distribute air around the top, bottom and sides of your dish, removing the need to rotate food within the oven.

Do conventional and convection ovens look differently?

From the outside each oven will look pretty much the same, but once you open the door that is when the differences become more obvious. 

What are the benefits of a conventional oven?

  • The design is more familiar to most people
  • You can achieve different results by moving the racks around
  • The majority of recipes are aimed towards conventional ovens
  • Conventional gas ovens are more humid for keeping baking moist
  • Conventional electric ovens have a drier heat for browning foods 

What are the benefits of a convection oven?

  • Designed for multi-rack cooking, with no need to rotate your dishes
  • Offers very quick pre-heating
  • Provides efficient roasting, browning and crisping
  • Depending on the food, the intense heat will help it to cook more quickly

Which oven is better?

At the end of the day it comes down to personal preference and what type of cooking you like to do. If you are an enthusiastic baker, you may prefer a conventional oven, as the design is ideal for breads, cakes, pastries and custards. 

If you regularly cook larger meals, such as roast dinners, then a convection oven may be better for you. It will offer even cooking throughout, without the need to rotate dishes which will save you time and effort.

Browse our website to see our full collection of high quality ovens for an affordable price.

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