What is a Convection Oven and How to Use it for Cooking & Baking

Convection cooking can be found in a wide variety of kitchen appliances from stoves to wall ovens and more. Explore convection cooking options from KitchenAid brand including select ranges, wall ovens, countertop ovens and even convection microwaves.

What is a Convection Oven?

Convection ovens feature a built-in fan to circulate hot air and reduce moisture within the oven cavity. True convection ovens also feature an additional heating element. They can help promote the browning of meats, caramelized roasted vegetables and flaky baked goods.

What is True Convection vs Regular Convection?

True convection features a third heating element at the back of the oven. This takes the fan from simply creating better airflow within the oven, to actively blowing hot air into the mix. The additional heat source contributes to temperature consistency and can help cook some dishes faster.

True convection is sometimes called European convection because it is more common in Europe. Brands may have their own unique name for this kind of convection oven but look for an indication of a third heating element to determine if it offers true convection.

When shopping KitchenAid^® ovens, look for ranges and wall ovens with Even-Heat^™ True Convection. This is a true convection system featuring a unique bow-tie design with a heating element and fan. Compared to traditional baking cycles, this combination promotes better circulation and air flow throughout the entire oven, providing more consistent temperatures. Convection cooking options can even be found on select KitchenAid^® countertop ovens and microwaves for incredible cooking results in a smaller footprint in comparison to a range. Countertop ovens have many other benefits besides space saving and cook similarly to their bigger oven cousins. Learn more about convection ovens vs. microwaves.

Shop True Convection Ovens from KitchenAid

What is the Difference Between a Convection and Conventional Oven?

A conventional oven has heating elements on the top and bottom only—which can cause uneven temperatures throughout the oven cavity. A convection oven introduces a fan to circulate the heat more evenly. A true convection oven also features a third heating element located at the back of the oven.

So why does even heat matter? Conventional oven heating elements produce radiant heat. Dishes placed closer to them may become hotter and possibly cook faster than dishes placed further away. If you are cooking multiple dishes on different oven racks, you may experience uneven cooking from dish to dish. Hot and cold spots within a regular oven can result in burnt edges or undercooked centers depending on where dishes are placed.

A convection oven’s fan can help move heat around the oven and your dishes, delivering more consistent results when you need to cook on multiple racks. The convect fan and third-element move heated air throughout the cavity helping to maintain optimal temperatures. This in turn can remove excess moisture from the surface of your food which helps you get crispy skins on meat, a mouth watering caramelized finish on roasted vegetables, and baked goods with a golden-brown crust and soft, fluffy insides.

What are the Advantages of a Convection Oven?

Convection ovens aid in browning and crisping for a variety of dishes, making it an ideal setting for roasted meats, flaky pastries and more. The circulating air means you may not need to rotate dishes during the cycle. The intense heat can also sometimes cook your food faster, depending on the recipe.

Are There Any Disadvantages of a Convection Oven?

Certain dishes, like delicate cakes, should be cooked in a still environment without blowing air from a convection fan. However, the convection setting can usually be deselected and you can use a convection oven with conventional settings—making it the best of both worlds.

How to Use a Convection Oven for Cooking or Baking

Convection ovens may cook some foods faster so start by converting your recipe temperature, cook time, or both. You should also place your dishes in a way that allows for maximum airflow and check dishes early for doneness. Make sure you’re getting the most out of your convection system by following these three steps.

1. Adjust Recipes for Convection Cooking or Baking

Some recipes provide a convection oven conversion. If not, a general rule of thumb is to reduce the recipe temperature by 25°F and begin checking for doneness with 20-25% of the time left. For example, if your recipe instructs you to bake at 350°F for 60 minutes, you'll convert this to 325°F and begin checking at 45 minutes. 

It is not necessary to reduce the temperature for meats or proteins so leave the temperature as is per your recipe and just make sure to look in on it sooner.

Note: Time and temperature adjustments can vary by oven so be sure to check the user manual for your model.  

To take the guesswork out of conversions, some ovens feature an auto-convert option such as EasyConvect^™ Conversion from KitchenAid. This oven system automatically converts conventional settings to their convection equivalents, ensuring you can get exceptional results when experimenting with new or familiar recipes. Learn more about different oven settings and how they work.

2. Keep an Eye on Dishes When First Using a Convection Oven

When trying out a new recipe, it doesn’t hurt to turn on the oven light so you can keep an eye on your dishes. Using the light helps you avoid opening the door which can interfere with the temperature.

3. Position Dishes for Maximum Airflow

One of the main benefits of a convection oven is the circulation of hot air for even results. Here are some ways to take maximum advantage of this feature: 

• Use low-sided or perforated pans and dishes for better exposure to the heated air.

• Avoid placing dishes too close to heating elements. 

• Avoid overloading the oven or in a way that blocks the flow of air around dishes.

• Keep 3 inches of clearance between dishes and the outside oven walls.

When to Use Convection Cooking or Baking

ROASTING MEATS

The circulating air helps crisp up skins more quickly giving you a crackly exterior in less time so insides remain juicy. This same process helps you enhance browning, locking in flavorful juices on cut meats as well.

ROASTING VEGETABLES, FRUIT AND MORE

Convection ovens speed up the caramelization of sugars on the outside of ingredients for beautifully roasted carrots, parsnips, potatoes and more. Perfectly roasted vegetables let you add new depth to standards like hummus with this roasted cauliflower version or serve up a comforting bowl of roasted vegetable soup.

SHEET PAN DINNERS

Since convection cooking is great for roasting meats and veggies, a sheet pan dinner that features both is an ideal weeknight dinner. The low-sided pan allows air to envelop your ingredients in just the right heat for incredible flavors and textures.

TOASTING OR DEHYDRATING

Convection cooking provides a drier environment than conventional cooking as it drives fast-moving, heated air directly over food surfaces. This makes it ideal for recipes involving dehydrating or toasting ingredients such as these layered goat cheese toasts.

LIGHT AND FLAKY BAKED GOODS

Pies, scones, flaky pastries, and other dense, non-yeast mixtures will benefit from the intense heat to maximize rise and golden browning.

MULTIPLE BATCHES OF COOKIES AND MORE

Convection ovens use a fan to drive hot air throughout the cavity so you can let multiple sheets of cookies bake up beautifully without rotating or shifting them around in the oven. This goes for multiple dishes in general, too. With even heat throughout the oven, you’ll get more consistent results when cooking on multiple racks.

CASSEROLES AND PASTA BAKES

The enhanced distribution of heated air in a convection oven makes it an ideal environment for most baked dishes that star a variety of ingredients like pasta, vegetables, sauces, meats, and cheese. Get a bubbly, just browned finish on cheese-topped dishes or a touch of caramelization on tender bakes like vanilla bean sweet potato gratin. 

AIR FRYING

Countertop air fryers are essentially mini convection ovens. This means, you can achieve similar results in your full-sized oven. Use a perforated tray or basket to air fry in your convection oven for a healthy take on an indulgent favorite. We even have an air frying 101 guide for all of your air frying needs!  Best of all, you can double your air fryer recipe for even more of your go-to snack.

When to Use Conventional Cooking or Baking

DELICATE OR WET MIXTURES

The movement of circulating air within a convection oven may disturb delicate bakes or very liquid mixtures like angel food cakes, custards, or souffles. These recipes are better off in the still baking environment of a conventional oven vs a convection oven.

YEAST BREADS

Mixtures that rely on the expansion of air bubbles to rise also fair better in the stillness of a regular oven.

WHEN YOU’RE UNSURE

Convection ovens may cook some dishes faster than conventional ovens. If your recipe is written for a conventional oven, you’ll have to reduce heat, time, or both to achieve optimal results in a convection oven. If your oven doesn’t automatically convert the settings for convection and you’re unable to calculate it yourself, stick with regular cook settings. However, there are some basic rules you can follow for simple conversion. Read on to learn how.

Can You Use a Convection Oven as a Regular Oven?

You can usually deselect convection settings to use your appliance as a conventional oven. However, even with the convection settings on, you can achieve excellent results for nearly any dish in a convection oven. It’s even helpful for grilling in the oven.

Here are some recipe modifications you can make for dishes better suited for conventional ovens:

• Crusty artisan breads can be baked in a convection oven by popping in a pan of water. This will create steam to offset lost moisture and help form that oh-so-satisfying outer crunch. (Get our tips and tricks on making the perfect loaf of crusty bread!)

• Quiche and custard pastries will develop a golden-brown, melt-in-your-mouth result in a convection oven but their egg-based fillings may come out too dry. One solution is to cover the dish for the first half of the bake to help retain moist centers.

Shop KitchenAid^® Convection Ovens

KitchenAid^® ovens with Even-Heat^™ True Convection produce flawless results. The unique bowtie design and convection fan ensure the inside of the entire oven is heated to, and stays at, the perfect temperature. Take the guesswork out of convection cooking with EasyConvect^™ Conversion on select models. This system automatically converts conventional settings to convection settings for you. Find these features and more on select KitchenAid^® ranges, wall ovens, and even convection microwaves to help make your everyday creations extraordinary.

Explore KitchenAid^® Convection Appliances