Modern ovens are quite functional devices with a set of various options, sometimes little-known and unusual. The convection function in the oven will surely interest many. What is it, is it so important in cooking? Professionals have long appreciated a technique that has a convection mode in the oven. For beginners, we’ll try to explain the main advantages of this mysterious option.
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The usefulness of convection
Convection in the oven will make cooking as quick, easy and enjoyable as possible. From now on, you don’t have to be upset about baked or unbaked baked goods. It doesn’t matter if you cook meat, vegetables or work with the dough - the result will be excellent. The dish is baked the same way on all sides: inside, along the edges, above and below.
So, what is convection in the oven, how does this system work? The main thing in the oven has always been considered high-quality heating. Many people know that in order to avoid burning baking, the pan must be rearranged higher or reversed if the hostess decided to cook in two at once. Convection mode will save you from unnecessary actions, ensure even cooking of any dish. From now on, your bakery will not burn on the bottom, bake inside, ideally brown on top.
Literally, convection translates as transference. In this case, we are talking about the unhindered transfer of air inside the oven through a specially installed fan. It is this device that performs an important function of moving the flows of cold and warm air, guaranteeing the same temperature in different parts of the cabinet.
The fan in the oven is usually mounted on the back wall. After reaching a certain temperature, it automatically stops. The current convection oven is a huge number of different modes that allow you to bake, fry, defrost foods. Many models combine convection with other functions, such as a grill.
The furnace may be mechanically, electromechanically or electronically controlled. Each mode is indicated on the panel by a corresponding icon. Sometimes there are a lot of such icons, therefore, to understand their meaning, you need to refer to the instructions attached to the product. The mode of interest to us has a generally accepted designation that is the same for all models of this technique. If you are interested in an oven with convection in the oven, look for the fan icon. This is how a stove equipped with such a useful option will be designated today.
It is well known that warm air is lighter than cold, so it rises. This process will occur until the temperature in all corners of the oven is equalized. Such heat transfer is called natural convection. Of course, these phenomena occur in all ovens, regardless of the number of burners. It would seem, why overpay for an additionally built-in fan? However, the movement of air naturally occurs so slowly that there is simply not enough time to get a good result.
In order to somehow speed up the movement of air, manufacturers began to install fans in the oven. This device accelerates the heat exchange process, which means that air moves faster, equalizing the temperature at all points of the furnace. Cooking meat, fish, baking biscuits or casseroles in kitchen appliances with forced convection will be much faster, and the result will certainly please the hostess.
Types of convectors
Oven manufacturers are constantly working on improving fans.After all, such, at first glance, an insignificant detail plays an important role in cooking, speeding up and facilitating this process.
Types of convection:
- the heating circuit is used to quickly heat the air;
- the hot air generated by the fan heats the cabinet at an accelerated pace, is the ideal solution for quick cooking of products;
- moist convection will be appreciated by supporters of proper nutrition, connoisseurs of healthy dishes, food cooked in the "double boiler" mode.
Depending on the energy consumed, location and design features, convection ovens are:
- gas and electric;
- freestanding or built-in;
- working autonomously or connected to the hob;
- mini-ovens resembling small microwaves.
A feature of the regime in gas-powered technology
A gas convection oven scares many. Users fear that the movement of air could extinguish the fire. However, according to manufacturers, such devices are completely safe, because they are equipped with special hollow burners, as well as a function that blocks the operation of the device in case of danger. A special fan in this unit is designed taking into account the characteristics of this type of oven.
It is more difficult for a gas-fired appliance to achieve an even distribution of hot air because the burner is only at the bottom. Before placing the cooked dish in the oven, it is necessary to wait for an even distribution of heat around the entire perimeter, that is, after turning on the oven, wait a while.
A characteristic feature of such devices can be called energy savings, as well as a relatively high price, which, incidentally, will pay off very quickly through the use of gas. In addition, the purchase of this model does not require particularly powerful wiring in the house.
The BOSCH HGN22F350 is a good example of a convenient and reliable gas oven equipped with convection heating. The device is quite roomy, the usable volume is 60 liters. This unit, in addition to cooking all kinds of dishes, will perfectly cope with defrosting foods. The presence of a gas control system guarantees the safe use of the device, adds confidence in personal security. In addition to these useful features, this model has an attractive design.
Convection Electric Oven
An electric oven with the necessary and useful convection mode is very popular today. Typically, such an oven is equipped with several heating elements that the manufacturer places around the entire perimeter. However, even this does not guarantee uniform baking of dishes. The reason is the slowness of natural convection, different sizes of baking sheets, the density of products, etc. A special fan comes to the rescue here, driving the air inside the cabinet, thus ensuring fast cooking and the same baking of the prepared dish.
The electric oven uses three types of convection:
- a special fan that drives air throughout the cabinet;
- convector surrounded by an additional heating circuit;
- humid convection saturating the space with hot steam.
Some models are equipped with a reinforced fan, greatly accelerating the cooking process. In addition, there are devices with two convectors. This arrangement of fans distributes the air even more efficiently.
The Siemens HB634GBW1 electric oven is recognized as one of the best in the middle price category. Thanks to the beautiful and original design, this model fits perfectly into the room. A distinctive feature of this appliance is roominess, the use of large baking sheets, the economical use of energy, multifunctionality (grill, convection, defrosting, other modes are available).
Hansa FCMW58221 is the best gas stove with electric oven.The unit is equipped with four gas burners with automatic ignition and gas control, has a capacious electric oven equipped with convection, grill, defrosting, express heating, etc.
Bosch HCE644653 - electric stove with electric oven. This unit combines the most modern developments: from convenient switches, clocks with a timer to the most useful cooking modes, of which there are seven. The burners heat up very quickly, and have a different configuration: two ordinary, oval and double-circuit. A volumetric oven will cook quickly and tasty, using the grill and convection mode.
Key Benefits
Convection in the oven - what is it, why is this fan needed in the cabinet, why buy appliances equipped with such a function?
To summarize the main advantages of convection ovens:
- may well replace the hob;
- more efficient use of electricity or gas;
- cooking speed increases;
- lower oil consumption;
- can be cooked simultaneously using two to three baking sheets;
- the dish is baked as evenly as possible;
- the scope is significantly expanded: in addition to cooking all kinds of food, you can dry medicinal plants, nuts, fruits, orange or lemon zest;
- the opportunity to experiment with the usual recipes, changing them at your discretion, to cook enough "capricious" dishes.
The main convection mode is usually used both for cooking and for heating dishes, thawing foods, drying foods, raising dough. In addition, there are other modes:
- convection plus bottom heating for cooking pizza, bakery products;
- the combination of convection, bottom heating with a grill provides a golden crust, speeds up the preparation of convenience foods or frozen foods;
- The turbo grill is ideal for baking fairly large pieces of meat.
The usefulness of convection in any oven is proven. Thanks to this function, you can cook lunch or dinner as quickly as possible, saving not only time, but also energy used.
